Malakai at Josie’s request.”
Presley ignored the doctor. “Yes, but what are you doing with Joselynn? What has she told you?”
“I’m not sure I follow. She’s told me lots of things. That’s what people do when they’re together.”
“Together? You and my sister? How is that even possible? Did she track you down at the gym? This doesn’t make sense.”
Gregor pulled Tessa back by a belt loop, banding his arms around her chest and whispering something in her ear. Her anger on Josie’s behalf was endearing.
Sabrina motioned toward the family room behind them. “Let’s take this conversation somewhere a little more private.”
Kai had known this confrontation was coming, but he hadn’t realized how angry he was going to be. As soon as the door closed, he turned to Josie’s mom. “You must be Jacinta. Now I know where Josie gets her beauty from. I’m Malakai.” Jacinta blushed the same pretty shade her daughter did. “Where’s Josie? What’s going on?” Kai asked Sabrina.
Before she could answer, Presley grabbed Kai’s arm. “Can we go somewhere private and talk?”
Kai jerked his arm away. “No. Whatever it is, I want to know. How bad is she, Dr. Bailey?”
“I wasn’t talking about Joselynn. I want to talk about us,” Presley clarified.
“There is no us, as in you and me. I’m with Josie, so you need to get used to it.” Kai gave Presley his back, turning his attention to Sabrina. He had to give the doctor props. He could feel her anger building, matching his own, but she hid it well.
“We’ll wait in the hallway,” Gregor said, pulling his furious mate along with him.
Sabrina waited until the door closed to speak. “Josie—”
“Joselynn’s medical information is private. He isn’t family, or have you forgotten the laws, Dr. Bailey?”
“Presley! Stop being rude,” her mother seethed.
“I can handle this, Mrs. Pierson. Josie specifically asked for Kai. She asked me to call him, and that is all the permission I need to speak to him about her condition. She also made it clear she doesn’t want you having the same privilege. I’m going to have to ask you to step outside while I speak with Kai and your mother.”
Presley bowed up. “She’s delirious. You can’t take anything she says as the truth while she isn’t in her right mind.”
“Do I need to call security?”
“You wouldn’t dare!” Presley stepped toward Sabrina, but Jacinta grabbed her arm. “You need to leave.”
Presley looked down at her mother’s hand. It looked like Jacinta had a death grip on Presley’s arm from the way her fingers were turning white. “Fine. I’ll wait outside,” she said, pulling away from her mother.
“No. You need to go home. Your home. I have no doubt you’ll call your father on the way, but I don’t want you at my home when Josie is released.”
Kai didn’t correct the woman. He would wait and let Josie tell her mother where she was going upon release. Presley stomped out of the room. Before the door closed, she pointed at Kai. “I’ll see you in class tomorrow, and we will talk.”
“Okay then,” Sabrina said as soon as the door closed. “Josie’s fever broke a couple hours ago. I waited until her bloodwork came back to tell you the good news. It seems Josie had a reaction to the fish she ate.”
“But she’s not allergic to anything,” Jacinta said.
“I’m not either, but I was sick too. I’ll be sure to be more careful where I shop from now on,” Kai told her. He hated lying to the woman, but it was necessary.
“We gave Josie something to counteract the effects, and she is on the mend. She might need a day or two at home to rest, but there’s no need to keep her overnight.”
“Can we see her?” Kai asked.
“Yes. I’ll get her discharge papers together. Come on.”
Kai gestured for Jacinta to go first. With her back to them, Kai mouthed, “Thank you.” Sabrina inclined her head before leading them to Josie’s room. It had been less than an hour since he’d seen his mate, but he still held his breath when he entered the room. Jacinta strode to Josie’s side, picking up her hand. Josie smiled at her mom, but when she turned her eyes to Kai, her smile grew larger.
“Hey, you.”
“Hey, Sunshine. You had me worried.”
Josie held out the hand her mom wasn’t holding, and Kai circled the bed. He brought her knuckles to his lips.
“Oh, my,” Jacinta whispered. Josie winked at Malakai. “Dr. Bailey is getting your discharge papers ready. She wants you