He pressed his lips together hating himself for having to deliver the news. “I wish I could tell you that Nate was going to walk through that door but…” He paused. “He was near the center of the explosion.”
Braylee turned her face away from his and towards the window. It was dark outside now. The tears fell like a waterfall, but she didn’t make a sound. Her voice never reflected the stabbing pain in her heart. “Even in death he took care of me do you know that?” Braylee closed her eyes. “I failed him.”
“You can’t blame yourself for this.”
She squeezed her eyes tightly. “If he was at the center of the explosion, we might not even be able to find all of the pieces to his body for a proper funeral.”
Only a few people got the chance to see Braylee be vulnerable, and her pain was just about his undoing. Alex climbed into bed with her. He was a large man, and the bed was almost too small to support both him and her. He didn’t care. All Alex wanted to do was hold her as he gently pulled her body into his arms. He knew that Nate and Braylee had a special bond, he could never replace him and Alex wouldn’t even try, but he would do his best to show Braylee that he would always be there for her too.
Through her tears, Braylee pressed her face into his chest then whispered. “Who did this Alex? Was this something random or something else?”
He kissed the top of her head as he cradled her in his arms. “I don’t know yet. I have the best people on it trying to find out. I promise you. We will find out.”
Braylee had her suspicions, but she didn’t have the energy to broach the subject tonight. All she wanted to do was feel Alex’s arms around her as she mourned the death of her best friend.
She’d lost Nate. He was gone. She would never see his face sitting outside of her office again. That thought alone brought on a brand new round of tears. However, the strength of Alex’s arms meant more to her than he probably knew. He was the first person ever to love her through her pain.
He continued to hold her until the exhaustion took over and she cried herself to sleep.
*****
Once Alex was sure Braylee was sleeping soundly, he got up to see if everyone was still down in the waiting room. He hated to leave her even for a second, but it was getting late.
Lisa, who’d been sitting in a chair on her phone, noticed him first. “Alex, how is she?”
Cecily had fallen asleep, and her head lay on Fabi’s shoulder while he was on his laptop. Stephanie sat on the opposite sofa reading a magazine. Both Fabi and Stephanie looked up at the sound of Lisa’s voice.
Worried, Stephanie put the magazine on a table in front of her as she echoed Lisa’s question. “Yeah, how is she?”
Alex’s five o’clock shadow was more than starting to come in. He was exhausted; not just physically but emotionally drained. He rubbed the back of his neck. “She’s sleeping. I’m not sure for how long. She won’t want to see anyone at least until tomorrow.”
Lisa’s eyes welled up too. “I just can’t believe it either. Are you sure?”
“Our people confirmed it.”
Lisa pushed herself up from her chair and went over to him before wrapping her arms around his neck. “I feel like a terrible best friend because I have to leave. I need to get home to Luca since the nanny has to go, and Marcell is out of town. But, Alex, please call me if either you or Braylee need anything, okay? I’ll be back in the morning after I drop him off at daycare.” Lisa rose up on tiptoe to kiss him on the cheek then whispered in his ear. “This is going to be hard for her. Braylee’s going to try to be Braylee but push through that nonsense.” Lisa picked up her purse from off the floor next to her chair. She blew Fabi and Stephanie a kiss. “I’ll talk to you guys tomorrow. Stephanie call me if you need me okay?”
Stephanie nodded.
“One of our guys will walk you out to your car, Lisa.” On cue, two burly men appeared out of nowhere.
“My goodness Alex, I don’t need all of that.”
He gave her a half a smile. “I’m sure Marcell would disagree, and It’ll make me feel better.”
She gave in to his request. “Only if it’ll ease your mind.”
Alex tried to smile but couldn’t seem to make it work. “Thank you.”
The little hurricane known as Lisa Lampinelli left the room.
Just as she was leaving someone else poked their head into the room. “Excuse me?” A very handsome but exhausted looking man spoke. “Is the family of Braylee Hinsdale in here?”
Stephanie stood and responded. “Yes. Who would like to know?”
The man walked into the room holding the hand of a very pregnant woman. “Hi. I’m Doctor Cameron Jacobs, and this is my wife, Cree. We were coming down the stairwell when the explosion happened. I was the one who performed first-aid to Ms. Hinsdale until we were able to get her to the hospital. My wife and I just wanted to make sure she was okay.”
Her hands went to her face as she cupped each cheek. “Oh my goodness! Thank you so much.” She pointed to herself. “I’m Braylee’s sister, Stephanie.” She then pointed at Alex and Fabi. “And these guys here are Alexandro and Fabi Manchetti.” She looked at Cree’s stomach.
