Page 192 of Fixation

“I’m here.” I squeeze her hand. “I’m here. You’re fine.”

Her eyelids are heavy. She parts her lips. “I am?”

No, she isn’t. She’s here instead of in my bed. She was taken, goddammit.

Her pain has gutted me. That doesn’t constitute asfine.

Since she needs to focus on healing, I lie and say, “Yes, you’re fine, sweetheart. I want to take you home. What do you say?”

“The driver?”

I see bright red, and it isn’t her hair.

It’s fury.

“Gone.” I get out of my seat. My lips find the soft skin of her temple, and I inhale her.

“Let’s go,” she murmurs.

“Good girl.”

I pull out the change of clothes I brought her from my locker when the door to her room opens.

“Hello, Miss Arlington. Glad to see you’re up.” Dr. Bennet nods at her, then casts his eyes on me. On the pile of clothes in my hands. His brow furrows. “Anderson. It would be better if we kept her here overnight for observation.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Anderson.”

He can say my name on a loop all day long. Harper is being discharged.

To give us privacy, I draw the curtain around her hospital bed. I hope it’s enough of a signal for him to get the hell out of here.

Harper is silent as I remove the offensive hospital gown from her.

Bennet clears his throat. “There’s another thing.”

“What?” I snap, my voice low for Harper’s benefit.

“The police would like to talk to her. And you.” He sighs. “Detectives Rockdale and Englewood are out in the hall.”

They’re here?Harper mouths.

I fold her in my arms, hugging her, blocking out the entire world. I don’t want her to worry about anything, especially at a time like this.

“Ignore him.” I shift, holding Harper in a seated position, easing one of my spare T-shirts over her. I slide my huge jeans over her legs. “We’re getting out of here.”

“They said they were investigating another murder case related to Harper?”

“No one was murdered today.” Just killed. With good fucking reason.

“About that.” My God, will he ever shut up? “They mentioned the car crash didn’t appear to be an accident.”

While he talks, I scoop her up. No hospital wheelchair for her. No nurse or orderly to help me take her to my car.

Ihave her.

Harper nestles into my arms. Soon, we’ll be home. Where she belongs.