Page 183 of Detectives in Love

“Your sister, sir. And two other gentlemen—one from the police, and the other… I’m not sure who he is.”

“Okay, thank you,” I say. “Do you happen to know where my phone is?”

“Of course,” she says, walking over to the table in the far corner. I watch as she unplugs my phone from the charger and brings it over.

“Thank you,” I say.

“You’re welcome.” She smiles. “Do you need anything?”

“No, thank you, though,” I say—already wishing she’d leave so I can check my messages.

“Great,” she replies. “Just call if you need anything.” And with that, she leaves the room, closing the door behind her.

I glance at the notification panel on my screen: five missed calls from Ernest Ormond, three from an unknown number, six messages from Monica—and twenty unread messages from Xavier.

My heart flips with anxiety. God, I hope he’s okay.

I immediately open Xavier’s messages. It’s five in the morning now, and the first one was sent five hours ago.

Xavier:Let me know when you wake up, please.

My heart flips again—this time with relief—but I’m already scrolling to the next.

The second one came three minutes later:

Xavier:They didn’t allow me to stay in the hospital overnight, said I’m not immediate family.

And then, right after:

Xavier:We need to get married.

I blink, staring at the screen, my heart pounding so loud the heart monitor starts beeping faster. I really hope the nurse doesn’t come rushing in, thinking I’m having a heart attack or something.

My eyes are fixed on that one line—We need to get married.I reread it three times, not even trying to pretend I’m calm. But then I see there’s more. A lot more.

I scroll down.

Xavier:We’re all over the news

Xavier:Hundreds of our fans showed up at the hospital

Xavier:And dozens of journalists

Xavier:Police came and shooed them all away, so now they’re ambushing me on Hickory

Xavier:I think we need to go to your mom’s—there’s a crowd basically laying siege to our apartment

Xavier:Willand came to the hospital, by the way. He tried to feed me crackers

Xavier:I ate one, but I felt too sick

Xavier:Also, Crowley was acting strange

Xavier:She asked the doctors to let me stay overnight

Xavier:They refused, but still. I don’t know what’s gotten into her

Xavier:Your sister called. Then she showed up at the hospital