Page 153 of Girl Between (Dana Gray FBI Mystery Thriller #5)

George walked into Dana’s hospital room. The scene remained unchanged. The room was sterile and nearly silent, save for the soft beeping of machines and the murmur of the medical staff outside the door.

He’d been in countless hospitals, but this felt different. This was personal. Dana was too vibrant, too remarkable. Seeing her like this, fragile and still, it tore at something deep inside him.

George could only imagine how this was affecting Shepard.

A stoic statue standing guard, Shepard hadn't left Dana's side since they arrived. His eyes were red and bloodshot, dark circles underscored the toll of sleepless nights. George had seen the man withstand the harshest conditions without flinching, but this … this was breaking him.

George took a deep breath, trying to steady himself before he spoke. “Shep,” he said gently. “You need to get some rest. She’s in good hands here.”

He shook his head without looking away from Dana. “I can’t leave her, George. Not now.”

A lump formed in George’s throat. He wanted to argue, to force his friend to take care of himself, but he knew it would be futile. Instead, he pulled a chair close and sat down, joining his friend in the silent vigil.

Shepard didn’t object. He just sat there, staring at Dana, small and motionless, the steady beep of her heart monitor, her only sign of life.

The room was dark, lit solely by monitors and the faint glow of the city outside. George's mind drifted back to the events that had led them here. The chaos, the gunfire, the desperate race to get Dana to safety. It felt like a nightmare they couldn’t wake up from.

A nurse in bright blue scrubs came to check on Dana, breaking the silence. She moved efficiently, adjusting the IV and making notations on her chart. “She's stable,” she said softly, offering a small smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “We just have to give her time.”

George nodded, appreciating the woman’s attempt at reassurance. He looked over at Shepard, who seemed lost in his own thoughts, his focus unwavering from Dana’s face.

“Hey,” George said, his voice barely above a whisper. “She’s a fighter. She’s going to pull through.”

Shepard finally tore his gaze away, meeting George’s eyes. “She has to,” he echoed, his voice cracking. “She just has to.”

George reached out, placing a hand on Jake’s shoulder. “We’re all here for her. And for you. Don’t forget that.”

Shepard nodded, but his torment remained. George squeezed his friend’s shoulder. Maybe he couldn’t offer assurances where Dana was concerned, but he sure as hell could give Shepard peace of mind that the bastard who’d landed her here was going to pay.

“The after-action interviews are complete," George began, his voice low and steady. "FBI and NOPD wanted to wrap up everything that went down at the Tower ASAP. Landry’s been cooperating. Gave up everything on Monroe. Known associates, other body sites. Made some pretty startling discoveries into the connection with the Harvest Girls case. Creed’s team even managed to infiltrate the black market organ trade group they were using with Landry’s help.

They’re shutting it down as we speak. Monroe will spend the rest of his life behind bars. "

Monroe surprisingly survived his gunshot wounds, but Dana left a permanent mark, blinding him in one eye. Landry survived his injuries as well and would make a full recovery. Amelia hadn’t been as lucky.

Shepard, gaze still fixed on Dana's motionless form, gave a slight nod. "It's a shame about the girl," he said quietly.

Amelia had been rushed to the hospital along with Dana, but she went into renal failure and hadn’t recovered.

“It is,” George said, nodding his somber agreement. “Maybe it's a blessing. Amelia suffered enough. At least now she’s at peace and spared from seeing her father’s reputation tarnished. He’s cooperating, but that doesn’t excuse his role in all of this. He’ll be incarcerated along with Monroe."

The room fell into a heavy silence, the steady beep of Dana's heart monitor setting an eerie soundtrack George didn’t much like. “She’s gonna pull through,” he said again, forcing certainty into his voice this time.

Giving his friend’s shoulder another reassuring squeeze, George stood and stepped back, allowing the moment to settle. He looked at Jake, concern etched into his features. He’d never seen him so destroyed. The man looked like he hadn’t slept in days. Knowing Jake, he hadn’t.

"You need to take a break, Shepard. Get some rest, take a shower. Let me sit with her for a while."

Shepard shook his head, eyes never leaving Dana. "No. If she wakes up, I swear I’m never leaving her side again.”

George huffed a laugh. “Bedside bargaining, huh? Been there. It doesn’t work.”

Shepard gave him a questioning glance.

“My father,” George said by way of explanation. “Besides, you know Dana’s not gonna take too kindly to you giving up your life to play overbearing bodyguard.”

“I already have.”

“Yeah, I heard about your resignation. Given the circumstances, I’m sure the FBI will understand your error in judgement. ”

Shepard shook his head. “I made my decision long before this happened. If anything, this validates it.” His head hung heavy as he gently smoothed back a lock of Dana’s hair. “If I'd gone into her hotel room with her that night like she asked, none of this would’ve happened."

"You can't blame yourself, Shep," George said firmly. "No one can predict the future. If Monroe didn’t come after Dana that night, it would’ve been another. At least she’s here, she’s still with us, still fighting. That’s a win."

Shepard’s jaw tightened. "I still can’t leave her."

George frowned, sensing the depth of his friend’s guilt. He carried his own over not being there for Sophie in the end. And if they were placing blame, George deserved the brunt of it for not listening to Dana sooner when she’d seen what he couldn’t regarding Landry.

Sighing, George buried his own shortcomings to focus on his friend. "At least take a few minutes to stretch your legs and get yourself a coffee from the vending machine down the hall. I’ll take up your post."

Jake hesitated, torn between his need to stay and the exhaustion evident in his posture. Finally, he gave Dana a somber look and nodded reluctantly. "Just a few minutes," he murmured as he got to his feet.

George gave him an encouraging nod, watching as Shepard finally left the room, his steps heavy with the weight of his emotions. George sat in silence, the steady rhythm of Dana’s heartbeat a constant reminder of the fragility of life.