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He nods, and his arm tightens around Penny. “Thank you for the rescue.”

I let out a harsh laugh. “Thank you for protecting my sister.”

“I didn’t do a great job of it.” He brushes her blond hair out of her face.

“You gave everyone time. You got the key to help the others escape and got them out of harm’s way.” I drag in a breath. “Time was what we needed, and I hate that you had to die to make that happen. I owe you.”

He shakes his head and presses his fingers to the bruises darkening on his throat. “Dying sucks, but you don’t owe me anything. I have everything I need right here.”

It’s not often someone turns down a favor from a horseman. Frankly, it makes me respect Will more. I know he’s intelligent. His previous favor from us was this date to Homecoming with Penny. A simple ask.

“I don’t know how to be someone’s brother, but don’t fuck her over.” It feels like I should say it, but I don’t think it’s going to be a problem with Will.

“Not a problem.” He snuggles back into the bed, and she lets out a soft sigh.

“You need something. Anything.” I step back to the door and pull it open. “Just ask.”

He gives me an acknowledging nod, and I leave the room. A few nurses move between patient rooms, but otherwise, the floor is quiet. I’m so finished with this place.

I stride across to Harper’s room and pull open the door. The doctor hovers over her. Eli grabs my shoulder. Caden is in the chair next to Jack. Nico watches the doctor’s every move.

Jennifer stands on the other side of Harper’s bed, waiting.

The doctor sighs and straightens. His gaze flows over all of us before settling on Jennifer. “My advice would be to keep her here until she wakes. We could admit her and move her upstairs.”

“You’d do exactly what I can do for her at home.” Jennifer raises an eyebrow. “If you want me to sign an AMA, I’m willing to. She’ll be fine with me.”

He sighs again and makes a few notes on his tablet. “That’s not necessary, Jennifer. I’ll make a note in the chart. Make sure she gets plenty of fluids and rest. We always recommend therapy.”

“I’ve already got her an appointment with Mary.”

The doctor nods. “I know she’ll be in the best hands with you. If you want to come with me to the nurse’s station, I’ll discharge her and make sure you have the meds you need to keep her comfortable.”

He heads to the door with Jennifer following.

“I’ll be right back,” she says.

The door shuts and a low whimper comes from the bed, drawing all of our attention. I don’t think, I just react. My feet take me to her. I slide into the bed behind her, wrapping her in my warmth as she shakes.

“I’ve got you, princess,” I whisper against her hair.

“Luke.” My name is a sigh on her lips.

No one breathes or moves, waiting to see if she’ll say more. I lift my gaze to Nico’s. He shakes his head.

“She’s not awake,” he says softly.

It’s like a collective weight falls off our shoulders. She might be in pain, but she said my name. It’s the first positive sign we’ve had since coming here.

“How are we going to do this when we get to my house?” Caden runs a hand over his face. “We can’t all be right next to her.”

“We can trade off.” Eli leans against the wall. “Some sleep. Some watch. None of us will feel comfortable if we all went to sleep.”

That would mean taking our eyes off our girl, and that’s not going to happen for a long time.

CHAPTER 32

The Wounded Soldier