“He could have killed her,” she said with a sob. “She might be dead now.”
Mitch kissed her forehead. When she straightened, he pushed the hair from her face and wiped her cheeks.
“But he didn’t,” he said. “She’s okay, right?”
Skye gulped then nodded, feeling better in his arms. Knowing Mitch was with her meant she didn’t have to be strong all on her own. She could lean on him a little. “It could be a lot worse. She has a lot of bruises, a few burns. Nothing’s broken. But…” She stared at him. “She might be blind.”
Mitch swore. “Are they sure?”
“Not yet. They say she’s going to have to do some healing. In a few days we should know more. But the doctors made it clear it was a serious possibility.”
Mitch put his arm around her and led her inside. She collapsed on the sofa and covered her face. “This is Izzy. She’s so full of life. She loves adventure. She can’t be blind. How can she go cave diving if she’s blind? How can she swim with sharks and all that other stupid stuff she does?”
“You don’t know she’s blind yet,” Mitch said, settling next to her and putting his arm around her shoulders.
“I know, but what if she is? What if she’s never okay?”
He didn’t answer. The truth was if she was blind, Izzy would deal. She would figure it out, make a life for herself and move on. That’s what people did. Sure, a few got stuck in self-pity but eventually even that got boring. Not anything Skye needed to hear right now.
She leaned against him. “I have to be strong. I have to get it together. Izzy needs me. What have I got to cry about?”
“A lot and you don’t have to be strong tonight. I’ll handle things.”
“Erin will want to know Izzy’s okay.”
“It’s nearly three in the
She sniffed. “Is she okay?”
“She was worried, but we kept her distracted. Fidela read to her until she fell asleep.”
“Think that would work for me?”
“We can try it if you want.”
“Thanks, but I need to get home.”
“No, you don’t.” He stood and pulled her to her feet. “Come on. You can sleep in the second guest room. That way you’ll be here when Erin wakes up. You’ll both feel better being in the same house.”
She hesitated, then nodded. He led her upstairs. He wanted to take her to his room, not to make love with her, but to hold her. He wanted to put his arms around her and physically keep her safe. But there was Erin to think about. If Skye’s daughter woke up before them, it would confuse her to find her mom in his bed. So he kept going to the end of the hall and pushed open the door.
She stepped inside, then turned back to him. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For everything.”
He kissed her forehead. “Try to sleep. If you need anything, I’m across the hall. The bathroom is through there.” He pointed to the door to the right.
“Okay, thanks.”
He pulled the door nearly closed, then went into his room. Once there, he crossed to the window and stared out at the night. Garth had to be stopped. This had gone too far. Without evidence, the police couldn’t make a move so it was up to him.
THE MAIN OFFICES for Cruz Control were done in red and black. All the artwork reflected the car theme and racing stripes led the way down the hall.
Mitch sat in Cruz’s office, where car parts battled for space with every car magazine known to man.
“The local police are reluctant to get involved,” Mitch told Cruz. “The explosion was in international waters and the oil rig is owned by a British company.”
“Are they still considering what happened at Skye’s party a prank?”
Mitch nodded. He’d spent a frustrating morning speaking with a detective who had been sympathetic but unhelpful. “Without definitive proof that Garth is determined to bring down the family, the events are all unrelated and seemingly random. Rumors aren’t against the law.”
“It’s more than rumors,” Cruz said, sounding angry. “What about doping Jed’s horses and the lawsuit against Lexi?”
“Wasn’t that dropped?”
“Yes, but that isn’t the point.”
“It is to them. Dana will do all she can, but we’re pretty much on our own.”
“You have a plan?” Cruz asked.
“Yes.”
“Then consider me your partner in crime,” Cruz said, his voice determined.
“Agreed.”
SKYE SAT in the chair by the bed and stroked her sister’s hand. Izzy lay on the hospital bed, her face nearly as white as the bandages around her eyes. There were angry red marks on her bare arms and bandages on her hands. One leg was propped up under the covers.
“That’s starting to get on my nerves,” Izzy said, pulling her hand free of Skye’s. “You’re patting me like a cat.”
“And yet you don’t purr,” Skye told her. “Were you sleeping? It’s hard to tell with the bandages.”
“My personal fashion statement. No, I’m not sleeping.” She grabbed Skye’s hand. “Just don’t do the petting thing, okay?”
“You’re so fussy. I’ll have you know I’m wildly busy. You should be grateful I’m taking time out of my schedule to be here at all.”
“Yeah, yeah. You were worried about me.”
“Only a little.” Skye did her best to keep her voice light. “How do you feel?”
“Like I got blown up and tossed in the Gulf. How do I look?”
“Battered and waifish. Do you need me to call a nurse?”
“Only if he’s male and cute.” She shifted and winced. “Otherwise, I’ll pass.” She gestured to the IV running into her other arm. “I have my own supply of drugs to dull everything. Life doesn’t get much better than that.”
Izzy had been sleeping steadily since her surgery two nights ago. When she woke up, she was coherent and as normal as could be expected under the circumstances. Every time she spoke and made a joke, Skye wanted to run into the hallway, telling the world her sister was going to be okay.
She managed to hold back, but just barely.
“You want to talk about what the doctor said?” Skye asked tentatively.
“No.”
“We have to at some point.”
“No, we don’t.”
“Izzy, you’re going to need the surgery.”
“Skye, I swear I can still kick you, so leave me alone.”
“For now.”
Izzy groaned. “I’m gritting my teeth. Do you see me gritting my teeth?” She drew back her lips. “Are you looking?”
“Very clenched.”
“Good. Talk about something else.”
They would have to talk about the surgery eventually, but the doctor had said there was time. Skye would listen to him, although what she really wanted was for Izzy to schedule it right away. To get it done with so she could be herself again.
“You were right about T.J.,” she said instead.
Izzy sighed. “Being right is one of my favorite things.”
“I know.”
Izzy turned toward her. “Right in what way? Did he hurt you? I swear if he hurt you…”
