Page 80 of Secrets We Fight

“You have five minutes,” Mom stated. “Then Fallon needs to rest.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Rhett replied.

My mom kept the door open as she left. It didn’t stop Rhett from rushing to me and engulfing me in a hug.

“Easy, handsome. I was shot.”

“Shit. Sorry.” He pulled back. “I was so worried about you.”

“I’m sorry.” I looked down at the pale blue blanket covering my lower body.

“Hey.” He lifted my chin. “You did nothing wrong.”

“I know, but I still feel bad you had to worry about me.”

“It’s my job to worry about you, baby boy.”

“Is it still?”

He moved his hand back. “You heard?”

I nodded slightly. “Yeah. My mom told me, but what does that mean?”

“It means I lost control.”

“But are you fired?”

Rhett lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know. I’ll have a meeting with the assistant director, and he’ll decide my fate.”

“But what about us? What will happen if you’re transferred to Vice President Brooks’ detail or his children? Or hell, someone else?”

“How I feel about you won’t change because of where I’m stationed. We’ll—”

A commotion erupted outside of my hospital room door. Two agents walked inside, followed by my father.

Rhett stood taller and nodded his head slightly. “Mr. President.”

“I need the room,” Dad stated.

“Wait!” I called out.

“It’s okay.” Rhett squeezed my hand gently. “I’ll be in the waiting room. I’m not going anywhere.”

“But I want you in here with me,” I pleaded.

“Fallon,” Dad clipped as though I was in trouble.

“What? I have nothing to hide from him and I want him to stay.”

“It’s fine.” Rhett gave me a sad smile and then left. My father’s agents followed him, and they shut the door behind them.

“So, it’s true, then?” Dad asked as he stood at the foot of my bed.

“Is what true?”

“You’re in a relationship with a member of your protection detail?”

“Yeah. Why is that such a problem?”