“Spencer,” I whisper her identify as if saying it aloud will someway anchor me to her, maintain her shut. “I gained’t let something occur to you. I promise.”

I push away from the wall and ease open the door, getting into Spencer’s dimly lit room. She lies asleep on the hospital mattress, her chest rising and falling in a gradual, regular rhythm. The sight of her brings a bittersweet ache to my coronary heart—she seems so peaceable, but I do know that quickly, she’ll should face the truth of her surgical procedure. I want I might take away her ache and worry.

“Sleep effectively, lovely,” I whisper, watching her for a second longer earlier than slipping again out into the hallway. Because the door clicks shut behind me, I really feel a wierd mixture of vulnerability and dedication wash over me. That is my likelihood to make issues proper for Spencer, and I can’t afford any errors.

I begin down the aisle, misplaced in thought once I discover a person leaning in opposition to the wall a couple of ft away. He’s casually cleansing his mouth with a toothpick, seemingly oblivious to my presence. However it’s not his nonchalance that catches my consideration—it’s the tattoo on his hand. A snake coiled round a dagger, its forked tongue flicking menacingly within the air. The picture sends a shudder down my backbone as reminiscences come speeding again.

“Hey,” I name out, my voice agency regardless of the sudden pounding in my chest. “You’re employed right here?”

He glances up at me, a quick flash of shock crossing his face earlier than he composes himself. “Yeah,” he replies, tossing the toothpick apart.

“Nothing a lot,” I say, making an attempt to maintain the dialog informal as I rack my mind for any details about him. “I simply noticed your tattoo and thought it seemed acquainted.”

“Actually?” He smirks, flexing his hand to show the ink extra prominently. “Nicely, it’s one in every of a sort, so I doubt you’ve seen something fairly prefer it earlier than.”

“Perhaps,” I concede, my coronary heart hammering in my chest. “However the factor is, I’ve seen that very same design on a person who attacked me a while in the past. Only for cash.”

The man’s smirk falters, and he shifts uncomfortably on his ft. “Look, buddy, I don’t know what you’re speaking about. I’m only a nurse right here, making an attempt to make a dwelling.”

“Proper,” I say, combating to maintain my feelings in verify. “A nurse with a hand tattoo that brings again reminiscences of a violent encounter.” Inside, my ideas are racing. What are the probabilities this man is related to that assault? And if he’s, what does it imply for Spencer’s security?

However as a lot as my instincts scream at me to confront him, I do know I can’t danger jeopardizing Spencer’s well-being. As a substitute, I should be affected person, to play alongside till I can get him away from her room.

“Pay attention,” I say, forcing a smile. “I didn’t imply to pry. I’m positive it’s only a coincidence. However when you ever want some additional money, I’d have the opportunity that will help you out.”

His eyes slender, however he nods slowly, intrigued by my supply. “Alright,” he agrees, clearly suspicious but unable to withstand the lure of cash. “Let’s speak.”

“Excellent,” I reply, my thoughts racing with prospects as we start to stroll away from Spencer’s room towards the elevator. Within the midst of uncertainty and potential hazard, one factor stays clear: I’ll do no matter it takes to guard her. And if meaning coping with this tattooed stranger, then so be it.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Percival

When the man and I step into the elevator, the air thicken with stress. The sterile hospital partitions appear to shut in on us, and I strive my finest to maintain my facade of cool confidence as we stand facet by facet. I can’t assist however discover the way in which he clenches his fists, the veins in his arms bulging in opposition to his pores and skin. Each fiber of my being desires to confront him now, however I do know I need to wait.

“Good climate we’re having, huh?” I say, making an attempt to interrupt the silence. My voice comes out extra shaky than I might have favored, however I do my finest to keep up eye contact with him. He merely grunts in response, protecting his gaze fastened on the elevator doorways.

Because the elevator descends to the primary ground, my coronary heart races like a thoroughbred on the last stretch of a race. I replay the confrontation in my thoughts, making an attempt to organize myself for what’s to come back. In a approach, I’m grateful to Spencer for saving my life as a result of, with out her, I wouldn’t be right here now. She noticed by means of me and located one thing price saving, and for that, I owe her every part.

My fingers drum nervously in opposition to my costly slacks—solely the best tailor-made threads for me, in any case—and I take a deep breath, inhaling the scent of antiseptic that permeates the hospital. I look over at Dylan, who stays stoic and unreadable. It’s laborious to think about what may very well be going by means of his thoughts proper now, realizing that his assault on me is about to meet up with him.

“Are you prepared for this?” I ask, unsure if I’m asking the man or myself. I consider all of the occasions I’ve charmed my approach by means of troublesome conditions, utilizing my disarming smile and air of confidence to win folks over. However this isn’t a celebration or a enterprise deal—that is actual life, and I must face it head-on.

“Doesn’t matter if I’m,” he replies, his voice low and gravelly. “What’s coming is coming.”

I nod, understanding that there’s no turning again now. Because the elevator slows to a cease, my coronary heart thumps like a bass drum in my chest. A mixture of worry, anger, and dedication swirls inside me, and I do know that I need to see this by means of for Spencer and for myself.

“Right here goes nothing,” I whisper underneath my breath because the elevator doorways slide open, revealing the bustling hospital foyer past. And with that, I step out into the unknown, able to confront the person who practically ended my life.

The elevator doorways open with a tender chime, and we step out into the hospital foyer. It’s a scene of organized chaos—nurses rush by with clipboards in hand whereas sufferers and their households navigate the maze of corridors and ready areas. On this sea of individuals, one determine stands out: Detective Taylor, his weathered face and sharp instincts marking him as a person who has seen all of it.

As we method, he seems to be deep in dialog with one other officer, however as quickly as he spots us, he strides over with function. Earlier than the man beside me can react, Detective Taylor locations a agency hand on his shoulder, his grip like iron.

“Dylan Morris, you’re underneath arrest for the assault of Percival Hills,” he publicizes, his voice regular and authoritative. The stress within the air thickens, and I can’t assist however discover how the bustling foyer appears to decelerate, curious eyes turning our approach.

“Wait, what?” Dylan exclaims, his stoic facade crumbling as shock sparkles throughout his face. He seems at me, confusion etched on his options. “You set me up?”

“Set you up?” I snort, my coronary heart pounding with adrenaline. “You just about killed me!” I pause, swallowing the lump in my throat. That is my likelihood to get some solutions, to know why this man determined to focus on me. “However why?”

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