“This is a restricted area, ma’am.”
Jaden stepped in between them. “I’m Jaden Dean, and I work for ManTech.”
“Special Agent Caldwell.” He stuck his hand out between them. “Pleased to meet you.”
Jaden accepted a hearty-looking shake.
“I’m going to need ID, sir,” Agent Caldwell said apologetically.
Jaden flashed his license. “You should also know I’m carrying.”
“Sir, we’ll need to search you,” Caldwell countered, examining the ID.
“Understood.”
Another suit came over eyeing the situation carefully. Lauren’s stomach hit rock bottom. Not because her brother was being heavily guarded. That he was being so protected actually made her feel slightly better about his well-being. The level of protection he received made her stomach drop because it reminded her of how deep he’d been in and how dangerous the criminals he’d been involved with were.
Those thoughts would keep Lauren awake at night until she was certain her brother was safe. It was almost better to think he would leave this place with a fresh start. A new life. If he could bring a few jerks down in the process, better yet.
“He gave us everything we needed. Names. Locations. The people who did this to him will do hard time for the rest of their lives,” the agent finally said. “He’s been out ever since. Go ahead through.”
Jaden’s arm looped around her waist. He pulled her toward him as he led her to Max’s room.
Nothing could’ve prepared Lauren for walking into the hospital room, seeing her brother hooked up to all those machines.
Jaden’s reassuring voice rasped in her ear. “It’s never as bad as it looks. He’s going to be fine.”
Jaden stood at the door, giving her enough space to have a private moment with her brother, yet never letting her out of his sight.
Lauren blinked back tears as she moved to Max’s bedside. She sat in the chair positioned near Max’s head and took his hand in hers. “Max, I’m here. It’s Lauren.”
Bruised and swollen, Max’s eyelids fluttered.
“Get your rest, brother. I’m not leaving.”
Lauren felt the hand in hers attempt to squeeze, it was good he could hear her. His face was cut, swollen, distorted His nose was double its normal size. But it was Max. He was alive. He was getting the care he needed. And best of all, he was drug free. Soon he’d get the second chance in life he so deserved.
“You’re going to be fine,” she soothed.
And she hoped those words were true.
Jaden couldn’t shake the bad feeling in his bones. He was missing something, something right under his nose, and he knew it.
Lauren glanced up at him and then waved him over.
Max was straining to speak.
“I can’t make out what he’s saying,” Lauren whispered.
Jaden had only to look into her eyes again, and he was hooked. She had him, every part of him. She’d awakened parts of his heart he’d thought long dead.
“Max is waking up,” she said staring up at Jaden.
“That’s good,” Jaden said.
Max’s eyes blinked open to slits. “It w-w-w-as herrr.”
“Who?” Lauren asked intently. “Who was it, Max?”
“H-h—” He struggled to speak. “H-h-e—”
“Take your time, Max.” She seemed to realize just how important his next words might be.
“H-h-he...” Max couldn’t seem to drum up the energy to finish.
“What are you trying to tell us? I don’t understand. Do you need me to contact someone? A friend?”
He grimaced from movement but could speak. A look of disdain darkened his swollen features. He tried to speak again, but failed.
“Don’t worry, Max. I’m here. I promise I’ll be here for you.” The sweetness in Lauren’s voice was another shot to Jaden’s heart.
As Max closed his eyes again, a loud beeping sound came from his IV monitor.
“When did he wake up?” A nurse scurried into the room. Her name plate read: Serena.
“Not long.” Lauren looked to Jaden. “Five minutes?”
He nodded agreement.
The machine settled, pulsing rhythmically again. Lauren issued a breath.
“You must be his sister. He perked up as soon as he heard you were coming, but he needs his rest. I’m sorry to tell you think but you need to go,” Serena said.
“We just got here.” Based on Lauren’s slumped shoulders and deep worry lines nothing in her body language said she was ready to get up and walk out that door.
“He’s been through a lot. Believe me, with the amount of pain meds he’s on, he won’t even remember you’re here. This will all be a blur for him later.” Serena stopped for a second and gave Lauren a compassionate look. “Your brother is in the best hands.”
“Is there someone I can speak to about staying?” Lauren asked but Jaden realized the battle was lost before it had been fought.
“You can take it up with administration. Won’t do any good. Not on this floor. I’m sorry. I can see you love your brother very much. I know you want what’s best for him. He needs rest if he’s going to get better. You do, too. His recover is going to be a marathon, honey.” Serena’s compassion seemed to strike a chord with Lauren.
There was no way Jaden would tell her to leave. But he could see the argument playing out in her mind. She didn’t want to leave but the last thing she wanted was to get in the way of his healing.
Jaden leaned into her ear. “He knows you’re here. We can come back tomorrow.”
“Promise?” Her hopeful eyes nearly gutted him.
“Yes. As soon as they open the doors and give us the okay.” Jaden didn’t do promises but this was Lauren. And nothing would stop him from coming through for her.
Serena, who had been fidgeting with knobs, rocked her head. “He’s on a strict schedule. His visitation is so restricted I’m surprised you got through today. But come back tomorrow. It never hurts to keep trying until you wear them down.”
The nurse winked at Lauren, who returned with a tearful smile.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Let’s grab lunch,” Jaden said to Lauren.
It was clear that Lauren didn’t want to leave. Jaden understood that seeing her brother in this condition must
