Page 52 of Penalty Kill

Brandon took my hand while we waited for him to continue.

“You took the brunt of the impact. I was told you braked, so the car hit you.”

I nodded. “I didn’t want the boys to get hurt.”

Brandon’s grip tightened.

“Well, it worked. They both have minimal injuries.”

I tried to smile, but it turned into a cringe as the morphine burned through my body.

“Your pelvic bone is fractured, and there was some damage to your intestines.” He still didn’t look at me. “We were able to repair it, as well as the laceration to your kidney.”

“What is it, Dr. Stone?” I managed to get out despite wanting to curl up and let the pain take over.

“There was more damage to your left ovary and uterus than we could repair. I’m sorry but we had to remove them.”

“Everything?” I asked.

He nodded. “A total hysterectomy.”

Brandon was nearly crushing my hand, but I was gripping him right back with as much strength as I could.

“Anything else?” I was terrified of the answer.

“No, you’ll remain here for a few days while we monitor you, then you’ll be released but will have to remain on bed rest until your pelvis heals.”

I dropped my head against the pillow and stared up at the ceiling. He continued talking about recovery, but I didn’t hear anything. I just stared at the while tiles and thought about what I was going to say to my parents. Would they let me come home? After all this time?

I didn’t have money for a hotel or apartment. I had nowhere else to go. How long before I could fly?

Brandon’s fingers trailed down my cheek in slow, careful patterns. “It’s going to be okay. We’ll get through this.”

“We?” I asked.

Confusion washed over him. “Yes, we. You, me, and the boys. We’ll all recover together. I’ll make sure you have the best nurse to take care of you.”

I shook my head. “I can’t watch the boys.”

“I know, Syd.”

“So, I’m fired.”

He looked like I just slapped him. “What? Why would you think that?”

“Because I’m their nanny. If I can’t watch them or take care of them, then I don’t have a job.”

“I’m not letting you go anywhere. I’ll figure things out with the boys. The Pride has already volunteered to step in and make a schedule of who can take them. What we’re all worried about is you.”

I shook my head.

“Sydney, you saved my boys. You knew what you were doing when you braked. You knew you’d get hit directly. You did more than just your job. Finn and Milo love you so much. You’re so good with them and they’ve changed so much with you around. They need you.” He paused and squeezed my hand. “I need you.”

“But I can’t take care of them.”

The corner of his lip twitched. “I don’t just need you here because of the boys. I need you. I can’t imagine life without you. You made our house a home again. You reminded me that there can be good in my life. You’re the most beautiful, thoughtful, caring woman I’ve ever met.”

I couldn’t let myself think his words meant anything more than exactly what they were. He wasn’t saying he had feelings for me. There was no admission of love.