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I notice the two officers watching me expectantly, as if they’re waiting for an answer. “I’m sorry. What did you say?” I ask.
“We were asking about your relationship to the deceased,” he repeats.
I run a shaky hand through my frizzy hair. “He and I dated really briefly, but I ended it when he showed that he wasn’t a nice guy,” I explain. I tell them about Garrett’s stalking and the lengths I went to remain hidden. The officers both jot down notes on their notepads and ask Tristan and me to give our version of events. Just as I finish telling my story, a couple of people come into the bedroom with a body bag. The last time I saw a dead body was when Tristan and Talon’s mom died, but I’ve never seen someone die in front of me. While it was traumatic, there’s a peaceful feeling that washes over me as I watch the coroners put him in the bag, zipping it up.
“I think that’s all for now,” the officer says, pulling my attention back to them. “We’ll be in touch if we have any other questions.”
Tristan and I watch them walk away before he turns to me. “I need to call Dad and let him know what happened.” He sighs deeply. “Do you want a ride back to the apartment?”
I shake my head, the mentioning of his father bringing those previous walls back up. Of course, he has to call him; his father would be concerned to know that his son has been shot. A paramedic approaches me.
“Ma’am, do you have any injuries that we need to check?” the woman asks me as her eyes scan my body.
Tristan excuses himself to make his phone call and a sick feeling settles in the pit of my gut. Once Tristan tells him whathappened, I know he’s going to ask about me or discuss wanting to see me. That means I don’t have much time to get to the hospital to see Talon before their father gets there.
“Ma’am? Do you need any help?” the woman asks again.
I shake my head. “No, I’m fine. Just a bit shaken up, but I’m physically fine,” I say softly even though there is an ache between my legs. There is no sense in going in for a rape kit when there is no one left to charge with a crime.
While the active crime scene procedures continue on, I step out onto the porch and order an Uber. Tristan’s car is still in the driveway, but I don’t see him anywhere outside. It would’ve been easier to just hitch a ride with Tristan, but I don’t want to run the risk of running into their father.
I anxiously wait for the car to arrive, and Tristan comes to a stop next to me. “Sure you don’t need a ride?” he asks again.
I shake my head, wrapping my arms around my body. “The officer wanted me to stay put because he had a couple more things to ask,” I lie.
Tristan frowns. “I can stay with you?—”
“I’m fine.” I force a small smile. “He said he’d give me a ride back into town. Besides, you should probably go get Talon a change of clothes so that he doesn’t have to leave the hospital in bloody clothes.”
He contemplates what I’ve said before he slowly nods. “You’re right,” he says. “I’ll stop by the apartment to check on you after I check on Talon.”
I nod to acknowledge his words and watch him leave, breathing a slight sigh of relief. Just as Tristan pulls out of the driveway, my Uber arrives, literally passing him as he continues on down the road. I wait for a few moments before I enter to give Tristan enough time to get further down the road before I get in and finally leave Garrett and the terror he’s caused today behind me.
I walk upto the registration counter at the ER, scanning the waiting room to make sure I don’t see Tristan or his father around.
“Are you here to be seen?” the guy behind the counter asks.
I clear my throat. “Um, my brother was brought here not too long ago. Talon Steele?”
He types something onto his computer and grabs a visitor sticker and hands it to me. “Room 22,” he says. I thank him and walk through the automatic doors when they open. My heart races a little faster as I say a quick mental prayer that Talon is alone long enough for me to check on him. As soon as I can confirm that he’s okay, I can sneak back out before Tristan gets here.
Talon is awake when I get to his room, a small smile on his lips when I walk in. I return his smile and quickly make my way over to his bedside.
“How are you feeling?” I ask, but then shake my head. “That’s probably a stupid question. I’m sure you’re in pain since you got shot.”
“It’s not so bad now. Pain medicine works wonders,” he says with a light chuckle.
I look at his arm, which is now bandaged. “Was it bad? What did the doctor say?”
“It’s not as bad as it could’ve been.” He winces a little as he shifts in the bed. “The bullet went through, so it was just a matter of stopping the bleeding.”
“Did you lose a lot of blood? You passed out before the ambulance arrived.”
“Not as much as I thought. Probably just went into shock from everything that happened.”
I put my hand on top of his. “I’m just glad you’re okay. I was so worried.” I pause for a moment. “I really do appreciate you coming for me. And I’m sorry about the way I treated you the last time I saw you. You didn’t deserve that.”
“We weren’t going to just ignore something like that if we thought you were in danger.” He holds my gaze. “Regardless of whatever you think, we’re not these evil assholes that you keep trying to make us out to be.”
