Chapter 15: Evie

15

EVIE

I didn't want to leave Edge in the waiting room, but I desperately wanted to see Irene.

"Go," he said when I hesitated.

Inhaling deeply, I nodded once and turned to follow Byte back to Irene's room. He gestured for me to lead the way, but I shook my head. "I don't think I can go first," I admitted.

His eyes softened. "You don't have to go first, but I need you to at least walk beside me so I can see you."

"Oh," I said. "Sorry, I've never had to…um, I'm not sure what to call it."

"Be protected?"

"It seems weird to call it that, but I guess that's what it is."

"It is," he said. "Just think of it like the buddy system. Don't go anywhere alone. It doesn't matter where you are or how safe you think it is, make sure one of the brothers is with you."

"What about work?"

"We'll figure out all the details later, but work won't be a problem," he said. I wanted to ask him to explain, but we had arrived outside Irene's room.

He stepped inside first and immediately moved to the side so I could enter the room.

"Oh, thank goodness!" Irene said and placed a hand over her heart. "I've been so worried, and no one would tell me anything! What happened? Did he hurt you?"

"You've been worried? I thought you were dead!" I blurted, as tears of relief ran down my face.

She waved her hand dismissively. "I'm fine."

"You're not fine," I countered. "You were unconscious and bleeding when I found you."

She grimaced. "Okay, I'm a little banged up, but I'll be okay. Now, tell me the rest of what I missed."

"Have you said anything to the police?" Byte asked.

Irene shook her head. "I haven't seen any to say anything to."

"Good. When you talk to them, tell them what happened, but you don't know who the man was or what he wanted. Give them a vague description of him," Byte said.

"That won't be hard. I don't know who he was or what he wanted," she said and furrowed her brow. "Why? Was I supposed to know who he was?"

I frowned and looked at my feet. I didn't want to tell her the man who attacked her was my father and that he was there looking for me, but I knew I had to.

"He's my father," I blurted before I could chicken out. "I'm so sorry. I don't know how he found me, but this is all my fault."

Irene held up her hand to stop me. "Is he the reason you showed up in Cedar Valley looking for a job with a busted-up face?"

"Yes," I said so quietly it was almost a whisper.

"Then I don't want to hear any more nonsense about it being your fault. He's the one to blame, not you," she said and turned her attention to Byte. "What are you boys doing to make sure my girl is safe?"

Byte grinned. "You know I can't tell you the specifics."

"Listen here, if y'all don't kill him, I will," she said vehemently.

"I already knew that," he said and reached out to place his hand on top of hers. "We'll take care of it."

"What about Evie?"

"One of us will be with her at all times," he said and smiled. "Which means we'll be able to help run the diner while you're recovering."

"Oh please," Irene said and grimaced when she tried to move her arm. I hadn't noticed the way her arm was positioned until that moment. "I'll be back to work in no time."

"I don't know," I said skeptically, and pointed to her arm. "Have they even said what's wrong with you yet?"

She shook her head. "They're supposed to X-ray my arm and shoulder, and they said something about wanting to scan my head since I was unconscious when they brought me in."

"I think it's safe to assume you'll need a few days off at the very least," Byte said. "I'm not sure when the police will be finished, but I figured you'd want to stay closed for the rest of today and open for business as usual tomorrow."

She sighed. "Maybe I should close for a few days. Even though I'm willing to limp around the kitchen and hobble to tables, Tony and Bart probably need a few days off."

"If you want to open tomorrow, we'll open tomorrow. I know how to run the place, and we have plenty of people willing to pitch in and help until you're back on your feet. You can even sit at the counter and boss people around if you want to."

Irene chuckled. "You know me so well."

It felt like we had been there forever when they finally took Irene for her X-rays and scan. I didn't want to leave her, but I was surprisingly hungry, and I also wanted to see Edge. I didn't like being separated from him when so much was going on.

As if reading my mind, Byte said, "It'll be a while before she's back. Let's get the guys from the waiting room and grab a bite to eat while we have some time."

I nodded in agreement and stayed by his side until we met up with Edge and Dice.

"How is she?" Edge asked as soon as he saw us.

"Better than expected," I said. "They just took her for some tests, but she's awake and talking."

"I'm pretty sure her collarbone is broken," Byte added. "She's going to need some help at the diner for a few weeks."

"We can help out as long as she needs us to," Edge said.

"That's what I told her," Byte said with a smile. "Any word on Tony or Bart?"

Edge shook his head. "No. I asked, but they won't tell me anything. I've been watching for someone to come in and ask about either of them, but so far, no one has."

"We can ask Irene if there's anyone we should call for them when she gets back," Byte said and turned to me. "Unless you know."

"I don't. Neither one of them is very chatty. But someone should call Marcy and let her know she doesn't have to work tonight."

When no one volunteered, Byte scrunched his nose and sighed. "I'll do it."

"What's with the face?" I asked.

"I've never liked her," he admitted.

"Me either."