Page 188 of Stolen Voices

I quirk a brow at her.How?

Talia chuckles. “I’m a nurse, and I can’t shut that part of my brain off.”

Based on the way she looked at me and spoke, I do not find that surprising. “Thank you for asking.”

“Of course.” She points at the hunky baseball player and says, “This is Cameron. He can be a little smart-mouthed, so it’s best to just ignore everything he says.”

Cameron clutches his chest as if in pain. “You wound me, Itty Bitty. Way to talk about the love of your life.”

“Yeah, well, the love of my life is a real jokester.”

The room erupts into chuckles.

Cameron returns his attention to me. “Callie Wright. I’m not surprised it’s you. You’ve been driving my brother crazy for years.”

My mouth hangs open as he throws his head back and laughs.

“I’m kidding. Actually, I’m not, but I knew his complaints were all bullshit.”

An older gentleman interrupts, pushing a laughing Cameron away. “Okay, enough of you. Please ignore my son. He thinks he’s a comedian. I’m Mark, this is my wife Karen, and we are so happy you’re okay, sweetheart. We were so worried.” Mark envelops me in a fatherly hug. He is an older version of all his sons combined, with brown hair and hazel eyes, proving Emery right. Mark Miller is quite handsome.

“It’s so good to meet you.” Karen hugs me, rocking side to side, and assures me Eli will be okay and how happy she is to meet me.

I can’t stop the tears from pouring as she holds me. Meeting everyone without Eli here is all a little overwhelming. They have welcomed me into their family without a second thought, and a part of me feels like I’m not worthy of their affection.

I’ve been pushing the thought away all day, but I know this is all my fault. This has Silla written all over it. Instead of hurting me, she hurt Eli, and now he’s the one suffering in surgery and they could all lose him because of me.

“Oh, honey, it’s going to be okay. My son is a fighter. He’s going to pull through,” Karen whispers as she walks me over to take a seat in one of the ugly fake leather and metal visitors’ chairs.

The Millers surround me, giving me strength.

The door to the waiting room opens, and an older woman with a graying bob enters, wearing scrubs and looking upbeat. “Eli Miller’s family, I presume?”

“Yes,” we say in unison.

“He is out of surgery and in recovery. It will be a few hours until he wakes up, but he’s going to be just fine. He came in with a punctured lung, broken ribs, and a laceration to his head. We tried to repair the lung laparoscopically, but it was more damaged than initially expected, so we had to perform a thoracotomy, hence the longer surgery time. His surgery went well—no complications, and his head CT showed no signs of bleeding. We will do concussion protocol until we can assess him when he wakes up. Do you have questions?”

“When can we see him?” I need to see him if I have any chance at the ache in my chest disappearing.

“He’s still asleep, but two at a time can go back and check on him until visiting hours are over. Are you his wife?” she asks, and Mason nudges me.

“Yes,” I answer.

“Can she stay with him?” Mason asks for me, his voice stern.

The doctor looks at me, and her eyes widen in recognition this time. “Oh. Um. Yes. Let me see if I can move him to a private room for you. I’ll inform the nurses and let them know you will stay with him.”

My celebrity status isn’t something I use to my advantage, but right now? I will abuse the crap out of it if it allows me to stay beside Eli until he wakes up.

“I expect everyone will be discreet?” Hudson questions the doctor.

“Of course. We’ve had our share of high-profile patients. The staff will be notified. Should I call security?”

“That won’t be necessary. Our personal security will stay with Miss Wright. He’s on his way.” Hudson is polite but uses my celebrity status to punctuate his point. I am to receive preferential treatment. He lays an assuring hand on my shoulder.

“Of course. I’m Dr. Kaladian, Chief of General Surgery. You can have the nurses page me if there is a problem.” The doctor excuses herself, leaving us to wait for the nurse to come get us.

I’m emotionally overwhelmed by the support of Eli’s family as they surround me like I’m one of their own. Guilt gnaws at the lining of my stomach.