Page 40 of These White Lies

“I’m not waiting.”

Her face hardens. “Once they’ve assessed your wife’s condition, they will let you know.”

For a moment, I consider arguing, but she raises a cool eyebrow at me and angles her head at the security guard by the double doors, behind which they are taking care of Elizabeth.

I shove my hand back through my hair and dial my sister’s number.

“What’s going on? Finn says you’re pulling out all the stops on some new case.”

“Hardly. I don’t have time to explain right now, but we have a new client. She’s been stabbed, and I need you to bring me some clothes for her. She’s about your size. Grab one of my spare sets out of the office, too.”

“Not a problem. Are you okay?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

There’s a pause. “You said she was stabbed, and Finn mentioned an ambush. I just thought, if you were there with her, it meant you had to be…” Her words trail off.

I could explain to Sera that I hadn’t screwed up, but it wouldn’t be the truth. It was my fault Elizabeth got hurt. I shouldn’t have let her get in that elevator.

“Just bring the clothes.”

I pace the waiting room under the security guard’s watchful eyes, and I’m just about to lose my shit when someone shouts at the entrance. The security guard goes to investigate, and the next time someone exits the double doors, I slip through.

Elizabeth is in a small room at the back of the corridor. Standing in the doorway, I take in her pale face and the monitors beeping beside her. A nurse is adjusting the IV. When Elizabeth’s eyes blink open, I let out my breath. She looks groggy, but she’s alive, and her color is better than the last time I saw her.

“See, honey,” the nurse says, hearing my footsteps. “He’s right here.” She gives me a warm smile. “Your wife was very lucky. The doctor will be in soon to give you a full report, but she’s going to be fine. She might be a little out of it. We had to give her a sedative.” She chuckles. “Your wife is a determined woman and she really didn’t want to get stitches.” She pats me on the shoulder as she passes and closes the door quietly behind her, leaving Elizabeth and me alone.

I clear my throat, feeling suddenly awkward. “You always this dramatic when you get a scratch?” I glance at the digital screens on the machines next to her. I don’t really know what any of it means, other than her heart is in a stable rhythm. And right now, her heart beating is all I care about.

Yeah, I’m definitely in over my head with this woman. “You’re okay.”

“Define okay,” she grumbles.

I startle, not realizing I’d said the words out loud.

The corners of my lips lift. “So, you tried to fight the doctors?”

“I don’t remember any of that.” Her cheeks flush. “But I really, really don’t like medical stuff.”

Before I can tease her again, the door opens without warning, and a doctor enters with the nurse from before. He glances at the chart in his hand. “Elizabeth Gowan?”

“Yes.”

“I’m her husband,” I say before he asks.

Elizabeth's jaw looks like it has unhinged, but when I give her a pointed look, she closes it again. She looks annoyed, but the evidence that she’s feeling better makes me smile.

The doctor is uninterested in our faux marital drama, however, and flips through some pages on her chart. “Nothing vital was struck. No organ or major artery damage. Just stitches.”

He smiles a little condescendingly at her. “You were thrashing around saying it hurt so I gave you same pain relief. You’re kind of a lightweight, out like that.” He snaps his fingers laughing at his own joke. “You were extremely lucky.”

“I don’t feel lucky.” Elizabeth is clearly not amused by the young doctor’s cheerful demeanor. I try not to smile at her sass and totally fail.

“Well, you are,” he continues, undeterred. “However, youdidlose consciousness I hear, and a fair bit of blood. You didn’t need a transfusion, but we’re going to keep you under observation for another several hours. If your hemoglobin is stable, we can discharge you.”

“How many hours are ‘several’?”

“Let’s say eight and be optimistic.” He grins before leaving the room.