Page 114 of High Water

“Is she okay?”

“Other than being tired and worried about you, she’s fine.”

“And Bishop?”

“They took him back for an CT scan.”

“A CT scan? What’s wrong with him?”

“He’s just having some pain, and they want to rule out anything serious,” Ramsey chimes in from his spot on the chair. The light from the window behind him gives a halo effect, and it half makes me wonder if I’m dreaming all of this. If I am, I wish I’d wake up because everything hurts.

“He’s okay otherwise?”

“He’s okay. Just banged up. Nothing more or less than he’s used to.” Levi comforts me.

“I want to see them.”

“I’ll text Fallon,” Ramsey offers.

“No. No. Let her eat. I just want to see her after,” I explain.

“They’re bringing Bishop back up in a minute. He’s got a spot right next to you.” Grant nods to the open bed to my right. I didn’t even notice it.

Now that I look around, it’s clear we’re in some sort of private suite in the hospital.

“This looks expensive,” I murmur. “I don’t have private room insurance at the university.”

“I’ve got it covered.” Grant shakes his head, his attention moving from the chart to me.

“Why are you all here and hovering?”

“You almost died, sis.” Ramsey stands and takes my hand, squeezing it. “You had us all scared to death.”

“What?” I look between them.

“You were in that cold water too long. The hypothermia caused you to go into cardiac arrest,” Levi explains, pressing his glasses back up his nose with his middle finger as he tilts his head.

“Bishop’s team got there just in time to get you onto the helicopter. Your heart gave out on the way to the hospital. Thank fuck they had a medic and equipment on board.” Grant’s face is clouded with worry as he looks me over.

“That medic deserves an award ’cause he had you and Bishop to take care of. I did what I could, but fuck, you had me terrified.” Levi reaches forward and squeezes my shoulder.

“All’s well that ends well, though, right?” I try to bring some levity to the situation, but then it hits me. “What about Jay? He helped, you know. He showed up in the mine. He tried to rescue me.” I look between my brothers, but Grant shakes his head.

“We presume he’s dead.”

The last of my memories in the mine start to replay. The chaos and the cold. The bloodshed and the explosion. Bishop racing to get us out.

“I… I lost the sword,” I mutter. “Maybe we can still get it. We’d need more equipment. More than the team you had planned. I think the shaft caved in.”

“Half the mine caved in.” Grant raises a brow.

“Don’t worry about the sword. Don’t worry about anything.” Ramsey looks at me thoughtfully.

“The only thing that matters right now is that you’re safe. Bishop and Fallon too. Our family’s safe, and that’s the priority.”

“Jay was family,” I protest. “He died trying to save me.”

“After he handed you over.” Levi’s countenance darkens.