Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 62811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Jared strode over and knelt beside them. “Jackass is zip-tied on the floor. The cops and paramedics are on the way. What the hell happened?”
Xander gave a brief explanation, then asked, “How’s Rhodes?”
“He’s conscious,” Jared said. “If you two are okay, I’m going to wait with him.”
“Tell him I’m sorry he was hurt,” Sasha said.
Jared met her gaze. “It’s not your fault. He was doing his job. Sit tight until the paramedics get here,” he said, then strode out of the trailer.
Xander continued to stare at the face of the woman he loved.
He stroked her cheek and whispered calming nonsensical words until the cops rushed in, the paramedics right behind them.
* * *
Xander had insisted on accompanying Sasha to the hospital in the ambulance, and since she wouldn’t let go of his hand, the paramedics agreed.
Once they arrived, they took Sasha to be examined, leaving Xander alone in the waiting room. He’d left Jared with the police, who said they would question Sasha when she was up to answering them.
While Xander paced, he called the people who needed to know what had happened to Sasha. Then he waited some more. He glanced at the clock on the wall for what felt like the gazillionth time when the outside doors opened and Cassidy ran in.
She looked flustered and afraid, and he stepped into her line of vision. “Hey, Cassidy.”
“Xander, is she okay?”
“Yes,” he was quick to reassure her.
She expelled a long breath of air, her relief as strong as his, and then she wrapped her arms around him and burst into tears.
Xander patted her back, feeling somewhat awkward but knowing Cassidy needed a friend.
“Hey, you two. What’s going on?” Xander glanced up to see Dash standing beside them, hands in the front pockets of his jeans as he took in Cassidy. In Xander’s arms.
He released her and she stepped back. She glanced down as she opened her shoulder bag and pulled out a tissue, dabbing under her eyes. “I was worried about Sasha, and when Xander told me she would be okay, I just … lost it.”
“Understandable. So Sasha will be fine?”
Xander inclined his head. “I’m waiting for details, but the paramedics said they believed she had a mild concussion and would need stitches.” Just as he’d thought. But he hated that she had to suffer and was in pain. “I wish I’d shown up at the trailer sooner but…” He shook his head.
“What?” Dash asked.
“I was pissed about something and took a walk to cool off instead of staying with her.” He ran a hand over his head and groaned.
Dash and Cassidy glanced at one another before she spoke up. “You can’t blame yourself. This guy was determined to get to her. At least now he’s no longer a threat to anyone.”
Dash casually put an arm around her. “You’re right. And how are you? Are you okay?”
Xander was too worked up to get into it with his brother over flirting with Cassidy. At this point, Dash appeared to be genuinely concerned, and Xander would let it go at that.
“Yes, but I want to see Sasha,” she said, seemingly comforted by Dash’s presence.
“Join the club,” Xander muttered. He glanced at his sibling. “Thanks for coming.”
“No sweat.”
They made their way to the free chairs. Xander was aware of people staring at his rock-star brother, but it didn’t bother him. He just sat down and pulled Cassidy into the seat next to him.
Xander picked a chair across from them and waited for news. Unfortunately, before someone came out with information, the outer doors swung open, and the last person Xander wanted to see walked in and headed straight for him.
“Where is she?” Rebecca, Sasha’s barracuda agent, asked, as if she were the parent with every right to see her child.
Xander rose to his feet. “They’re checking her out. We should hear something definitive any minute.”
“And the bastard is under arrest?”
“Yes. Who called you?”
Rebecca rolled her eyes. “Do you think Isaac missed one of his stars being taken out by ambulance?”
“I don’t know. I had bigger concerns than who was watching,” Xander said. This woman always irritated the fuck out of him.
Dash rose from his seat. “Come on. Let’s settle down and wait for news.”
“Xander Kingston?” He spun at the sound of his name. A nurse stood by the double doors to the emergency room main entrance.
“That’s me.” Ignoring everyone else, he strode over to the petite woman. “How is she?”
“Good,” the brunette was quick to assure him. “She’s asking for you.”
His heart, which had been in a static state, began to beat normally again. “I’m coming.”
“Xander, make sure I get in to see her, too,” Rebecca said.
He clenched his jaw but didn’t answer. Instead, he followed the nurse through the doors, past a large desk and curtained cubicles.
She stopped in front of a closed striped curtain and gestured toward it. “You can go in.