Page 62 of Liam

Evelyn dragged her by her arm down the hall. “If Liam so much as twitches, Waggs will call us.”

Taamira paused and then nodded. Evelyn was right, if anything happened, they would call her; she knew that.

Allowing herself to be shuffled along, she went into the bistro with Alex and Evelyn and smiled when she saw Pax and Blake.

Pax immediately stood and wrapped her in a tight hug. Her comfort fortifying Taamira. “What are you doing here?”

Pax sat back down as they all took seats. “I needed to be here for you, so I flew out late last night.”

Taamira was touched by that more than she could even enunciate. “Wow, thank you.”

“How is he?” Pax asked as she held Blake’s hand under the table.

“He is holding his own, his vitals are good, all of the early tests and signs are good. It is just a waiting game now.”

Pax smiled. “These things can’t be rushed.”

They all gave orders to the waitress as she came over, Taamira only ordering fruit juice and a light seafood salad.

The conversation was light, Pax giving her an update on Digby which had her smiling and missing home, not home in Eyan but the home she had with Liam. The food was pleasant, and she ate more than she thought she would, obviously hungrier than she realised.

“Have you heard from your family today?” Alex asked.

Her brother and father had called daily requesting updates on both her and Liam. Neither had flown home, opting to stay in Geneva until they knew Liam was on the mend. Taamira had spoken to her father twice, and he seemed to have genuinely changed and wanted to be her father again.

It just wasn’t that simple, although Taamira could feel her heart softening to him. Abdul had sent baskets of fruit to her, and she had called to thank him. He had sounded different, but she still could not help but think her brother was lost.

The brother she had now was flailing as he tried to be the man he could be, no should have been, if he had continued to have a good influence, versus the man who had been moulded by misogynistic men who believed women had no value.

She hoped he found his way and maybe when she had more energy, she would help him, but for now, the only strength she did have she reserved for the man who lay in a hospital bed because he had literally jumped in front of a bullet for her.

“My father called, asked if he could do anything.”

“He seems to be really trying,” Pax said softly.

“I know, it just is not that simple. A lot of hurt has passed under the bridge, and it will be a long time before clear water runs smooth between us.”

Pax took her hand. “I understand, honey, believe me, I do. When this is all over, remind me to tell you about my parents. Now, they’re a pair.”

Taamira was intrigued, but she knew it would wait, she wanted to get back to Liam.

“You’re itching to go, aren’t you?” Evelyn asked.

“I do not like to leave him.”

“I understand, let Alex take care of the bill and then we’ll all walk back together.”

“I can get this.” Alex frowned at her, making it clear that she would not be paying the bill. “Fine.”

As the five of them walked back into the hospital, she quickened her pace wanting to be with Liam again.

Walking into the room, the band around her chest eased as she saw him lying precisely as she had left him. “Any change?”

Waggs shook his head. “No, but his chart looks good.”

The room was big and airy with its own private bathroom and a couch which had become her bed the last few days. She knew she was never alone; one of the team was always here or in the hallway.

“How is the investigation going? Do we know if anyone else was involved?”