Page 95 of Keeping Knight

“If I’d noticed…”

“No.” His voice is firm. “Guys like that, they’re a ticking time bomb. If it wasn’t seeing you with Knight, it would have been something else. At least the way it happened, Knight was there to stop it.”

“And get shot because of it.” Blinking away tears, I hold Wraith’s gaze. “Henry was going to kill Micah because of me. Sampson, too. How is it not my fault?”

“It’s not. Trust me.” His expression turns even more solemn. “I’ve seen some awful shit, Ruby. Shit I wish I could erase from my memory. Shit I feel guilty about every single day. I’m an expert in it. So I can tell you, with absolute certainty, that this is not your fault.”

My gaze dips to the floor. “I don’t know.”

“I do. And another thing. Knight’s going to be feeling guilty, too. He shouldn’t. But he will, because that’s the man he is.” When I look up at him in surprise, he adds, “It’s not your fault, or Knight’s. Don’t let the guilt come between you. Talk to him about it. And make him talk to you.”

My throat goes tight. “I just want to see him.”

Wraith pats my arm. “I know. And you will.” The faintest hint of a smile touches his lips. Then he turns me around so I see the doctor striding down the hallway towards us.

My heart skips. It could be nothing. He could be on his way somewhere else.

But as soon as he spots me, he makes a beeline in my direction. “Miss Ashe?”

His somber expression makes my legs go weak. If not for Wraith’s solid grip on my arm, they might collapse under me. “Yes?” I whisper.

“I figured it was you,” the doctor says. “Your fiancé said to look for the woman with curly red hair.”

At Rogue’s urging, I told the hospital staff that Micah was my fiancé. I wasn’t sure about lying, but Rogue insisted it would be okay. “Micah would do the same thing,” he explained. “This way, you can see him first. And trust me, you’re the first person he’ll want to see.”

It takes a second for what the doctor said to register. “He told you I have red hair?”

The doctor—Doctor Garrison, according to his nametag—nods. Then he smiles. “He did. He was very insistent that I find you first. She’s going to be so worried, he kept saying. Make sure you talk to Ruby first.”

“I’m Ruby,” I whisper. “Is he okay?”

I’m vaguely aware of Micah’s friends closing in around us, listening. But I can’t concentrate on anything besides finding out about Micah.

“He’s doing well,” Doctor Garrison replies. “There was some muscle damage, and his collarbone was nicked by the bullet. But the damage shouldn’t be permanent.”

“How is he?” I ask.

“Aside from badgering us to finish?” Doctor Garrison chuckles. “He’s doing well. We gave your fiancé a transfusion to replace the blood he lost. He’s got some stitches which should leave minimal scarring. We’re giving him some IV antibiotics and painkillers, as well. He’ll have to stay overnight for observation, but barring any complications, he should be released tomorrow.”

I stare at the doctor, wanting to believe but not quite accepting it. “He’s really okay?”

“He’s really okay,” he replies. “We’re moving Mr. Sutton into a room right now, but you should be able to see him in a half hour or so.”

From around us, a happy buzz of voices erupts. Through the chatter, Jester can be heard saying, “We’ll have to record him saying some stupid shit while he’s all doped up. That’ll give us blackmail material for years.”

“I can see him soon?” I ask. “He’s asking for me?”

Doctor Garrison nods. “He is.” Glancing at his watch, he adds, “I have to run. Check with one of the ladies at the reception desk and they’ll get you in to see your fiancé.” Then he smiles. “I’m glad everything worked out.”

As he walks away, I turn to Wraith. “He’s really okay. Right?”

Wraith smiles at me. “He really is.”

I’m not going to cry.

I’m not.

If I start crying, Micah will worry. He’ll think something’s wrong. He’ll try to comfort me instead of taking care of himself.