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Kiara excuses herself to make some phone calls, and I walk to the hospital atrium for different scenery. As soon as the coast is clear and I’m alone, I break down.
This can’t be happening. This can’t be happening. My thoughts scatter, and my memories burn through the dark recesses of my mind.
Remi’s radiant smile. His boisterous laugh. His velvety voice. The touch of his hand. The first time we kissed. The first time we made love.
“Oh God, please.” I slide down the wall and hug my bent knees. I can’t do this alone, so I do the one thing I thought I’d never do. Fishing my phone out of my pocket, I dial a number that only ever calls me.
She answers on the first ring.
A blubbering mess, I admit the one thing I refused to ever acknowledge. “Mom, I need you.”
Two hours later, I’m permitted into Remi’s room and it’s like sunshine after a horrific storm. I know we’re not out of the woods yet, but I’m not making any assumptions until Remi wakes up. I refuse to believe he’s going to come out of this anything other than perfect.
Kiara is at Remi’s apartment, gathering any legal documents she may need to keep from her parents. Cody talked to a lawyer about a protective order, but unless we can prove Mr. Fairchild is the one that put Remi in danger, there’s nothing we can do.
I contemplated giving Kiara the evidence of her father threatening me, but I don’t want to put that on her shoulders unless I absolutely need to. I know once I meet with Detective Gracyk, she’ll give further instruction. So I’ll hold back for now.
As I sit here and run my fingers down Remi’s forearm, I take in every inch of his beautiful face. There is a blue tinge to his eyelids and a purple hue underneath. Even with all his bruises and bandages, he’s the most breathtaking man I’ve ever laid eyes on.
“Hi, Manny.” I speak low and sweet, hoping my voice gives him comfort. “You had quite a day yesterday. I’m sorry that happened, and Kiara and I are doing everything possible to keep your father away.” Disgust roils my stomach when I think about yesterday. To control my anxiety, I watch the trail I make on his arm and drift to the palm of his hand. “Your skin is really soft.” Pressing my lips together, I fight the stinging of tears. “I talked to Kiara about us. She understands.” A soft laugh escapes through my nose. “She warned that I better not break your heart. I told her I never would.” My eyes burn. “I won’t. No matter what.” My voice is fervent because I need him to understand I’m not going anywhere. “I’m going to be here for you, Remi. Isabel too.” My mouth quirks a small smile. “She’s making plans for you, you know. She’ll probably have the next four decades of your life planned out by the hour.” I play with the back of his hand. “Takes after her momma.”
Nurse Vicky walks in with a pleasant demeanor. She’s just the type of person that sets everyone at ease. I’m glad she’s Remi’s nurse. “Hi, lovely. I’m sorry to bother you, but Officer Taylor and Detective Gracyk are here to see you.”
My stomach dips. I feel like I just got in here and now I have to leave, but this is important. It cannot be put off. It’s still difficult to let Remi out of my sight because as long as I can hear his heartbeat, I know he’s alive, fighting his way back.
Vicky must sense my hesitation. “He’s still on restrictive visitors, Mae. I’ll make sure no one bothers him, except Mr. or Mrs. Razzine.” She pins me with a knowing stare, saying without words that she knows exactly what’s up. Though I don’t trust many, for some reason, I trust her.
“I have to take care of something really quickly, Manny,” I whisper close to his ear. “You’re in good hands, and I’ll be back before you know it.” Leaning in, I give him the lightest kiss on his cheek. “I love you.”
Nurse Vicky grabs and lovingly squeezes my hand on the way out. “I’ll be right here.”
I nod and go find Taylor and Gracyk at the nurses’ station.
Gracyk tilts her head, asking me to follow her into an empty room. “I need you to make a written statement on what happened, then we’ll take pictures.” She pulls out some forms for me to fill out. “This other document is for the restraining order. It’s a deterrent, but if Mr. Fairchild knows the law, you can’t keep him from seeing his son unless Kiara has a court order of protection.”
“I understand.” I hand over the flash drive with my recording. “I have audio evidence of the incident.” I wince. “It’s disturbing, to say the least.”
Detective Gracyk puts the device in her chest pocket. “Good work. Although we can’t use it against him in court, it’s surely enough to get him banned from the hospital.”
Officer Taylor gestures to my arm, and I lift my sleeve. “Hopefully by this evening, he’ll be detained,” she says, examining my upper arm. “Jesus.” A harsh breath escapes her lungs. “This happened last night?”
“Yes, he grabbed my arm and yanked me into an empty office right outside the hospital entrance.”
“We’re going to ask for access to video surveillance. Hopefully the hospital complies, or we’ll have to get a warrant,” the detective explains. “Which will take a bit longer, but either way, we can pursue the restraining order.”
Once I wrap up with Officer Taylor and Detective Gracyk, I hightail it back to Remi’s room. Just as she promised, nurse Vicky is standing sentry at the door. Her lips turn up when she sees me.
“Kiara isn’t back yet?” I ask before heading in.
“Not yet, but Mr. Fairchild stopped by.”
All the blood drains from my face as I rush to open Remi’s door.
Vicky lays her hand on my arm. “I told him Remi was still on restriction and he’d have to come later.”
“Are you okay? Did he threaten you?” If my voice sounds a bit panicky, it’s because I am.
“He ranted a little bit, but I reminded him that security was right down the hall and if he gets thrown out, he won’t be allowed back in.” She looks past me, searching down the hall as if to make sure the monster left. “I just hope I bought you and Kiara some time. That man gives me the creeps.” She shivers.
