Page 127 of Power

“I’m. Not. Harmed,” I said, punctuating each word. “And I’m not going anywhere until you tell me the status of Jace Lockwood.”

The nurse exchanged a look with the reception lady, who sighed begrudgingly, and then finally asked, “What is your relationship to him?”

“I’m …” I hesitated. “His girlfriend.”

She pursed her lips in pity. “I’m afraid I can only disclose information to family members.”

“But—”

“Now, we’ll check you out, and if you’renotinjured, you’re free to have a seat over there if you’d like.” She gestured to the waiting area.

“Can you at least tell me if he’s alive?” My voice cracked.

“Like I said, family members only. I’m sorry.”

My entire body sank with defeat for a moment.

“Dr. Blake Morrison. Can you tell him I’m here?”

Her shoulders pulled back. “You know Dr. Morrison?”

“Yes, I’m a friend of his. Can you tell him that I’m here?”

The ladies exchanged a look.

“We’ll get the message to him.”

Only then did I allow that nurse to check me out. I was pretty sure she inspected my skin for gashes, took my vitals, but I was in too much of a fog to register it. When she was convinced I wasn’t dying, she let me go to the waiting room where I decided pacing was the answer to all my prayers. So was massaging my bloodied hands, evidently, and so was replaying what had happened.

After Jace had vanished into the elevator, I bolted up the stairsand waited for the elevator to arrive on Jace’s floor. Proud of how fast I’d run. But when the elevator didn’t open right away, I worried he’d outpaced me. That he’d already made it into his office and was already in a confrontation with Marcus. But then, suddenly, I heard a muted battle coming from the elevator. A battle that grew louder with each press of the button.

Finally, those elevator doors opened, and there was Jace, lying in a pool of his blood.

“Scarlett?” A familiar voice broke my train of thought.

I turned.

“Blake.” I ran up to him as he emerged from a pair of double doors that led back to the treatment area. “Is Jace alive?”

“Scarlett”—Blake’s attention scanned my bloody clothes—“are you hurt?”

“I’m fine. Is Jace alive?” My voice rose an octave.

“Are you cut?”

“No.”

“Why are you barefoot?”

“Because running down a flight of stairs and through a parking lot is much slower with only one high heel on.” I grabbed his arm. “Is. Jace. Alive?”

My heart stopped beating. In the space of one breath, my entire world paused and waited for the verdict that would change my life forever.

“He’s alive.”

I let out a huge gust of air, my knees weakening so much with relief that Blake had to grab my arms to steady me.

“Are you sure you’re not bleeding?” His medical fingers lifted my hair, looked for any sign of injury on my body.