Chapter Forty-Two

Theo

W hat the fuck is she doing in there? I glance impatiently at the door acting as a barrier once more, my concentration torn between focusing on what Finn has to say about the incidents from last night and what could possibly be happening behind that closed door. Get a fucking grip, asshole! The dude was shot and is lying in a hospital bed. It’s not like he could be making fucking moves on her. He just got out of surgery for Christ’s sake!

“Dude, are you even listening? Pay attention!”

“Sorry. What were you saying?” Forcing myself to focus, I tear my gaze reluctantly away from the door separating me from my girl.

Finn sighs, beginning to tap one hand against his thigh, an obvious sign of agitation. “I was saying that we have a problem. Clearly, there is a mole. There is no other way to explain it. Every action leading up to this point, every note, every ‘gift’ and now the break-ins? Whoever it is clearly knows what they are doing, but even the best in the business screw up eventually. And this person has been harassing her for years, leaving no evidence behind.”

With jerky movements, he switches from tapping his thigh to running a hand through his hair, pulling tightly on the ends. “It’s just not possible. Not with my system and the protocol we have in place. Not unless they have help. There is just no way. Someone would have to know our surveillance schedule, which we rotate at random intervals. They also have to have an intricate knowledge of the software designed by my company .

“While improbable, if they had the right money, I suppose they could gain access to purchase the system and then break it down, trying to piece together how it works. But we have so many firewalls and traps in place that even the best hackers would likely run into one of the many systems in place designed to alert me specifically. I just don’t see how it is possible.”

My eyes narrow, considering his words, my attention finally focused exclusively on the man before me rather than the one lying in a hospital bed behind the door to my left. “So, you’re telling me that someone from your own fucking security firm is either directly behind the stalking, and now the attack, or they are working with the individual that is.” Voice low, tone icy as I stare hard at one of my oldest friends.

To his credit, Finn’s expression is just as hard as I’m sure my own must look right now. Thoughts whirl through my mind, each outcome worse than the last, at the implication of what having a mole in his security firm could mean for the safety and well-being of my girl. Without another word, I turn on my heel, the urge to have her safe in my sight suddenly overwhelming, stealing the breath from my lungs.

Not bothering to knock, I burst through the door into the hospital room, uncaring of what they might be saying for such a lengthy amount of time, or however private it might be, that it had to be done behind closed doors. And I am drawn up short at the sight before me. Danica, nestled in fucking Jonathan’s arms as she lies next to him on his hospital bed.

Popping her head up at my abrupt entry, her eyes throw daggers in my direction as she motions with her finger at her lips for me to be quiet in the universal “Shh” gesture.

“What are you doing?” My whisper is a barely contained yell as I throw daggers of my own in their direction.

“He was hurting and he wanted me close. Not that it’s any of your business!” Her words are a hiss as she responds to my outburst.

“Not any of my- not my-” My mouth must surely be gaping at the ridiculous statement she just threw back at me. Not my fucking business. Is she for real right now? I will show her just how much it’s my fucking business once she finds out that lover-boy here was potentially shot by one of his own fucking men.

“Would you two shut-it?” A groan breaks through our heated whispers and draws both of our attention back to the injured man lying in a hospital bed. “You honestly sound like squabbling children. God damn! Can’t you let a guy who just got shot rest in peace for a few minutes?” With great effort, Jonathan shifts, and I watch on as Danica quickly sits up, turning to Jonathan and helping to readjust the settings on his bed so he can be more elevated in an upright position as he scolds us both like the children we are.

I may not like the dude, but I can’t help my sheepish expression as I look over his dull pallor. Stitches across one eyebrow, swollen eye, and fat lip, not to mention the large white patch that stands at attention against his normally dark and robust skin, it’s clear to see this guy has been through the ringer, and now I feel like shit for hating on him so much. But only just a little bit.

With a nod in his direction, I respond. “Good to see you are mostly in one piece.”

Jonathan’s lips flatten into a thin line, the pain evident on his face even as he fights back another groan.

“What can I do? Do you need more pain medicine? Should I call for a nurse?” Danica is scrambling to readjust without causing him further pain as she turns so that she is sitting on the edge of the bed, facing him. Jonathan tries shifting in the bed but is still too weak from the surgery and blood loss. Seeing him struggle, Danica quickly jumps in to assist, moving around his pillows to prop him in a more comfortable position.

“You shouldn’t be up and moving right now. Honestly. You are one of the most stubborn, bull-headed men I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with.” The grumble is soft, muttered under her breath, but neither of us miss it.

A soft chuckle that breaks into a cough escapes him, and with a tired expression, he smiles blandly back at her. “Love you too, baby girl.”

Danica doesn’t stop fussing, her need to see him safe and comfortable evident in every fidgety movement, until Jonathan reaches out to touch her face. I tense, watching the interaction and wanting to step in; to move her out of reach, but as much as I could punch the guy for telling her that he loves her, with those fucking dopey puppy eyes and that touch, even I can’t lower myself to punch a man who is lying in a hospital bed after being shot.

Besides, Danica would bite my head off if I tried, and I am on a mission to win my girl back, not push her further away. My fingers ache from how tightly I am clenching my fists, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I broke a tooth from clenching my teeth together, but still, I manage to bite my tongue.

“Hey.” Danica stills at his touch, and a small part of me dies a little. It used to be my touch that would still her. I was the calm in her storm. Now, fucking Jonathan seems to have replaced me. No matter, it won’t be for long. “Look at me, Ellis.” Lifting her gaze, I can see the watery sheen of unshed tears. “I’m here. I’m alright.” Even as he says this, however, the pain in his eyes is evident behind the foggy haze clouding his vision from whatever shit they have him on, though he is doing a damn good job of fighting it for her. “It’s gonna be alright. You trust me?”

Her expression wavers, and I watch a myriad of emotions flit by as she works through her fear and remorse before settling on anger. Shoulders tense with determination as she nods in agreement. “As far as I can throw you.”

They both smirk, and break into laughter before Jonathan stops abruptly, gasping at the pain.

“Shit. That fucking hurt. But I needed a good laugh.”

O-okay. Clearly an inside joke of some sort, and I am the ass sitting on the outside looking in. Clearing my throat, my voice is gruff as I mutter under my breath, “Still here guys,” but they pay no attention, lost in a private moment shared between the two of them.