Page 97 of Fatal Vision

Once they were all gone, her father came over and Shelby’s bodyguards allowed him into the circle. He hugged Shelby, patting her back. “You all right, sweetheart?”

Not really. She wouldn’t be until Colton and Sabrina were both out of surgery. “Yes, Daddy. Thank you.”

“Nobody makes my little girl cry and gets away with it. Why don’t you and your friends come back downstairs while we wait? I’m going to take folks to the chapel and lead the group in prayer.”

A nurse came around the corner and scanned the crowd. “Connor McKenzie?”

Connor left Shelby’s side. “That’s me.”

“The doctor said you can see your girlfriend now.”

Connor glanced back at Shelby. She waved at him to follow the nurse. “Go.”

He gave her a thankful smile and took off.

“I’m going to stay here, Daddy,” Shelby twisted the ring on her thumb again. “I couldn’t be there for Colton last time. I’m not leaving his side now.”

Her father nodded, but she could see disappointment on his face. Colton had broken her heart, like Jaya had said, and he didn’t like it. He didn’t like Colton.

Maybe because her dad saw a bit of himself in her renegade ex.

Although no one would ever guess it, her father was one at heart. He loved the underdog. His favorite Bible story had always been David and Goliath.

A firm hand squeezed her shoulder. “We’ll be downstairs,” her dad said, “and I’ll check on you in a few minutes.”

“I can stay,” her mother offered, coming up beside her.

Shelby took her hand and squeezed it. “Thanks, Momma, but I’ve got plenty of support and the waiting room isn’t big enough for everyone. You go downstairs with Daddy. I’ll call if I need you.”

Her mother kissed her cheek. Her dad hugged her. She watched them leave, waving at several people who gave her smiles and thumbs-up of encouragement, including Daniel.

Apparently, he’d made it back already.

Zeb, Nickelback, and Jaya were left standing with her. As soon as the last of the parishioners were gone, Shelby turned to her much smaller group.

“Zeb, do you think Connor’s okay taking care of himself and guarding Sabrina? Or do they need an extra bodyguard?”

Jaya’s eyes widened. “You think the killer is here? That he’ll go after them?”

“I’m not taking chances.”

Zeb nodded. “You’re all vulnerable at the moment.”

Shelby wanted to lie down and have a good cry. She wasn’t sure how much more she could handle.

But she couldn’t dissolve into a puddle, focusing on the worst that could happen to Colton and the others. She was all they had right now and she had to stay strong.

“Zeb, you’re on Colton duty. He may be in surgery, but I want you to stick to him like glue. I don’t care if you have to put scrubs on and pretend you’re a nurse, you don’t let him out of your sight.”

Zeb grinned. “I can handle it.”

“The hell you can, old man.” A strident voice brought all of their heads around. A big guy the size of her dad came strolling up to them, reaching out to shake Shelby’s hand. “Call me Megadeth. I’m a friend of Colt’s. He helped save a very important person in my life and take down two terrorists. I owe him.”

His handshake nearly broke bones in her hand. “You’re with Rock Star Security, I take it?”

He gave her a nod. “I’m the staff doctor. Finishing up my residency. I happened to be in New Orleans for a conference and the boss sent me to evaluate your current physical state after your coma. Looks like Colton needs me worse than you do.”

Nickelback’s lips twitched. “You gonna just bust into the surgical suite and take over?”