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27
Mid-City, New Orleans, Louisiana
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 12:30 P.M.
STOP STARING AT me like that, Dad,” Elijah said wearily. “You’re stressing me out more.”
Kaj dropped into the chair next to Elijah’s bed in the ER bay. His mind was racing and his heart was still pounding. Burke was in surgery, as were Jace and MaryBeth.
And Val was still gone.
Dr.Ross, Elijah’s pediatric endocrinologist, parted the curtain surrounding them. “Elijah’s right. You gave him glucose and got him here quickly. He’s going to be fine.”
Elijah had unintentionally taken too much insulin while waiting in the safe room. When he’d woken up in the SUV, he’d told Kaj that he’d figured his sugar was rising because of the stress, as it had done the previous times that week, but he hadn’t had his phone to test his levels. So he’d guessed and, in his fear, had guessed wrong.
“That’s not what has him so upset,” Elijah confided. “Not the only thing, anyway.”
Dr.Ross nodded. “I heard about what happened. If you need to step away and do... whatever, please know that we’ll be taking good care of Elijah.”
“I can leave soon, though,” Elijah said. “Right?”
“Depends on your definition of ‘soon,’ ” the doctor countered. “If you remain stable, you can leave sometime this evening. Okay?”
Elijah sighed. “Okay.” He waited until the doctor had left the cubicle. “Dad, you have to find Val. I don’t need you right now. She does.”
“I’m waiting on a few phone calls,” he said instead, which was true. The one he was most anxious about was from Corey, who still hadn’t called with his demands. “Molly said she’d call when she found someone to stay with you, so that I can search for Val.” As Burke’s second, Molly was coordinating security for both Elijah and him.
“Is Molly still with Antoine?”
“No, she went to get Sylvi.” He brushed the hair off Elijah’s forehead, which was thankfully no longer clammy and cold. “When they get here, I’ll need to step away.” Because Val’s sister was bringing the boxes of Ivan’s papers that Val had stored in her attic.
That was where they’d start looking for the property that Aaron had been talking about.
“Hello?” The curtain parted, and Molly stuck her head in. “How are you doing, kiddo?”
“Better than Dad is,” Elijah said. “Do you have news?”
“Not yet. Everyone’s still in surgery except for André. He should be waking up in recovery soon.”
Elijah nodded. “Jace tried to save me. Again.”
Molly’s expression became so sad that Kaj’s eyes burned. “I know, honey. And we’ll make sure he gets the very best care. I promise.” She turned to Kaj. “A moment?”
Kaj rose and kissed Elijah’s forehead. “I’ll be just outside the curtain.”
Elijah grabbed Kaj’s shirt with the hand that wasn’t hooked up to an IV. “Dad. Find Val. Please.”
His throat thick, Kaj just nodded and kissed Elijah’s forehead again. “Love you.”
“Love you, too. Now go.” He looked over at Molly. “Tell him that I will be fine here.”
“Of course you will,” Molly said firmly. “Lucien is back in town. He and my sister are on their way in to stay with you.”
Elijah’s relief showed. His son had been talking a brave game but clearly hadn’t relished being alone, and he already knew Lucien. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Molly waved, then tugged Kaj out of the cubicle.
Kaj found Phin waiting outside the curtain. Molly pulled it shut behind them, shielding Elijah from their conversation. “I can’t think,” Kaj admitted.
