Chapter 14

14

She heard beeping first, then someone talking next to her. It took her a moment, but Chantal figured out where she was pretty quickly. She turned her head and opened her eyes.

To see Hiller hazel eyes staring down at her from a beautiful elf face.

Genny was there.

With Chantal’s mother.

And... in the chair behind where Genny stood, checking the monitors next to where Chantal lay, was Gene. A clean Gene, with combed hair and a bandage over his eyebrow.

They were okay.

She fought the urge to bawl—and lost.

“Hey, hey...” Genny leaned closer. She grabbed a tissue. Chantal took it—in the hand that didn’t have tubes running out of it. “You’re okay, Chan. Safe. I promise.”

“Did... Charlie... catch them?”

“Not yet. But your brother and his friends are looking.” Her mother was there. She leaned down and brushed a kiss on Chantal’s forehead. “As for you, young lady—when you are better, we are going to talk about this keeping secrets thing. You should have told your mother.”

She knew what her mother meant.

“I just didn’t want you to be afraid.” Chantal wanted to take care of her parents. How could she not? Losing their only grandson when he’d been seventeen had devastated them. Chantal hadn’t wanted to add to their burdens.

“And you can’t protect everyone, young lady. But that is a discussion for another day. For now, tell this young man that you will be fine. So he can get home to his son.” Her mother shifted out of the way. And there Gene was.

He came closer.

His hand brushed the hair off her forehead. “Hey, honey. How do you feel?”

“Tired. You okay?” He had a bruise under one eye. His lip was swollen. She’d never forget seeing him fighting with that man who had threatened to rape and kill her. Gene Hiller had become her hero in that moment. “We’re alive.”

“Yes. We made it. Met up with Travis Deane and his wife at the highway. She knew what to do for you until we got you here.” His hand cupped her cheek. “We’re okay.”

“I knew we would be.” She yawned and blinked at him. “I’m sorry. I’m really tired. How long do I have to be here?”

“A day or so,” Genny said firmly. “Chad is being insistent. But this time, he’s right.”

“Has to happen sometime.” She yawned again. “Even a broken clock is right twice a day.”

“Go back to sleep, Chan. I have things covered here until you are ready to get out of here. I promise.” Her best friend leaned closer. Chantal hooked her free arm around Genny’s neck and hugged her quickly.

“I love you all, you know. You, Gia, Greer, my family, Aub. I thought I’d never get a chance to tell you all that again.”

Genny sniffled. She was a crier; everyone knew that. “Well, now you will. Sleep, I’m on guard now. And Aubrey is in the building. She’s going guard-dog fierce, too.”

“I will.” Chantal let her eyes close. “Gene, go home. It’s going to be okay. Calvin needs you now. Gen, Mom... I love you both... okay... I’m just so tired...”

“Sleep. It’ll all be okay when you open your eyes. I promise.” It was a male voice now. Not Gene’s. She blinked once.

There they were. Her brothers—Charlie and Chad. Taking care of her like they always had.

“Love you all so much...”

Everything would be okay now.

Her brothers were going to make sure of it.