Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 74005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
She gives me an understanding nod. “That’s the spirit. It takes time. And patience. If you ever need to talk about it or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me.”
“Thank you, Dr. Flynn,” I say.
As she walks into Eagle’s room, I turn to Daniela. “Why don’t you wait out here? My mother is in with him.”
“Okay,” Daniela says, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll be right here when you’re done.”
Taking a deep breath, I push open the door to Eagle’s room. The sight of my brother lying unconscious on the hospital bed hits me just as hard as it did the first time, but I force a smile on my face as I approach my mother.
“Hey, Mom,” I greet her, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
“Hawk,” she says simply.
Dr. Flynn takes a look at the chart on the computer.
“She’s been at it since morning,” I tell her, nodding toward my mother.
Dr. Flynn gives me a sympathetic look before looking at Eagle’s monitors.
For a moment, we sit in silence, the sterile smell of the hospital filling the room. My mother’s fingers are entwined with Eagle’s, her gaze never leaving his face.
“I’m glad you’re here,” she finally says, her voice barely a whisper. “He needs us.”
“We’re not going anywhere,” I reply, reaching out to squeeze her shoulder. “Neither is Eagle. He’s going to fight through this.”
She smiles, tears welling in her eyes. “I know he will. But it’s hard, Hawk. Seeing him like this.”
“I know,” I whisper, struggling with my own emotions. “But we have to stay strong. For him.”
“That’s the best thing you can do for him,” Dr. Flynn says. “That and talk to him. Remind him that you’re near and that you’re fighting for him.” She finishes at the monitors. “His vitals are stable. I have every reason to remain hopeful.”
The doctor’s words are a balm, soothing over some of the raw fear that’s been gnawing at me. I nod, managing a small smile. “Thank you, Dr. Flynn.”
She nods in return. “I’ll be back to check on him in the morning. Remember, if you need anything, just call.”
As she leaves, I grab a chair and sit on Eagle’s other side. It’s strange, seeing him so still, so vulnerable.
“Hey, buddy,” I murmur, reaching out to grasp his hand.
His skin is cool under my touch. I squeeze, hoping against hope that he might squeeze back.
“You’re going to beat this, you hear me?” I wipe a single tear off my cheek. “You’re not allowed to bow out yet.” I turn to my mother. “You need to take a break. Go get something to eat.”
She wipes her eyes. “I can’t.”
“You can, Mom. You’re no good to Eagle if you don’t take care of yourself.”
That gets to her.
Of course it does. She’d do anything for Eagle.
I tamp down my envy over her loving Eagle more than she loves me.
Right now, I’ll do anything for him as well. Especially since it’s on me—at least in part—that he’s here.
Once Mom leaves, Daniela comes in.
She takes my mother’s vacated spot. “You should eat something too, Hawk.”
“I’m not hungry,” I reply, my gaze flickering back to my brother.
His chest rises and falls rhythmically, the monotone beeping of his heart monitor a stark reminder of the reality we’re facing.
Daniela doesn’t argue with me. Instead, she sits there in silence, her fingers tracing over Eagle’s hand.
“What are you thinking?” I ask her after a while.
“I’m just praying for him,” Daniela admits, her voice soft. “And hoping that he’ll wake up soon.”
Her words hit me harder than I expect, and tears prick at the corners of my eyes. I swallow hard, forcing down the lump in my throat.
“Thank you,” I murmur, barely audibly.
My brother looks so small, and I imagine him as the scrawny teenager he once was—back when he first got caught up with drugs.
And the three of us paid for it dearly, Falcon most of all.
“I should have protected Eagle,” I say to Daniela. “But I didn’t. I promise I’ll protect you.”
She gives a weak smile as the door opens.
An orderly walks in with a large bouquet of flowers. It’s a lush, full bouquet—two dozen long-stemmed roses arranged in a clear glass vase. The blooms are a deep, velvety crimson. The fragrance is subtle but unmistakable.
The orderly sets the flowers on a table by the bathroom.
“I’ll grab the note,” Daniela says, rising.
She takes the note from the bouquet and—
“Oh my God…”
“What is it?” I ask. “Are they for Eagle? You can put them on the table in the corner.”
“No,” she whispers, her voice trembling. “They’re… They’re for me.”
18
DANIELA
“What?” Hawk jumps to his feet.
I swallow, staring at the card. “The flowers aren’t for Eagle. They’re for me.”
“What?” He comes to me quickly.
I tear open the note—
A chill of fright sweeps through me.
Beauty may draw a hawk close, but the thorns drive him away.