The Ahern Brothers Collection - Claudia Burgoa Page 0,89

insurance card and filling out these forms.” She sets a clipboard on top of the desk.

“Where can I find her?” I inquire with urgency this time.

“I’ll try to find out while you fill out the paperwork.” The receptionist’s voice is firm. “Who are you to her?”

“Her next of kin,” I say without hesitation.

She pushes the clipboard closer. “Then you won’t have any problem filling out this, would you?”

“You don’t understand,” I say.

“I do, sir.” Her voice remains in control. “You’re not the first person with a family member sick, injured, or in need of medical attention. Or the first barging into my ER demanding information. As much as I’d love to help you, I can’t. When a patient arrives in an ambulance, it takes a little longer for us to receive any updated information, let alone her current condition. You’d do Ms. Lyons a favor if you help me with my forms. That way, she won’t have to do any of this nonsense. In the meantime, I’ll see what I can find out.”

Pulling all her information from my phone, I do what the receptionists requests while watching her. Once I’m done and hand it to her, she tells me what she knows.

“She’s in the ER. Our nurses are cleaning her wounds, and we’ll prep her for surgery. I’ve been told that the orthopedic surgeon will arrive in a few hours. In the meantime, they’ll be attending to her other wounds.”

My gut clenches when she says that. “What kind of wounds?”

“Sorry, they didn’t specify, but I’m sure that once she’s out of surgery you’ll get the entire picture. Her condition is stable. There’s no life-threatening injuries to report.”

— — —

How could I let this happen? I run a hand through my hair while pacing back and forth through the waiting room. It’s been five hours since I arrived at the hospital. Shaun smashed seven of Abby’s fingers. One of the best orthopedic surgeons in the country flew in from Seattle to reconstruct them. I wish they had let me see her before she went into the operating room. My mind keeps running through the events of the past week. Fuck, the past six years. Every second I wasted being away from her. Each piece of information she gave me, and I ignored.

Every lung full of oxygen I take is useless. I continue feeling like I’m choking. My entire life is right inside the OR, suffering the consequences of my stupidity. I should’ve done better for her. She warned me about these assholes. It wasn’t a game or some stupid nightmare. It was a fucking reality that almost ended her life.

“Stop it,” Sterling steps right in front of me. “She’s going to be fine, and we’ll find a way to help her.”

I’m about to say something when some movement coming from the hallway drags my attention.

“How is Abby?” Luna asks as she enters the waiting room.

I shake my head.

“We don’t have any news yet,” Sterling responds and extends his hand. “Sterling Ahern. Pleased to meet you.”

Harrison Everhart, who’s just right behind her, glares at him. He’s only an inch taller than my brother, but he’s ripped. “This is Luna, my wife. I’m Harrison Everhart.”

“Nice to meet you both, and thank you for rescuing our Abby,” Sterling thanks them changing his attitude.

“We heard that Brynn is already here,” Luna says. “Sorry, Dr. Ward. That’s the orthopedic surgeon.”

“She’s in surgery,” I speak, letting out a loud breath. “Seven of her fingers were smashed. The nurse who updated us said that the doctor will work on reconstructing her hands.”

“Brynn is the best,” Luna assures me. Then she gives me a serious stare, and every muscle aches with tension as I wait for what she’s about to say.

“Wes, can I call you Wes?”

I nod once.

“Today isn’t my first rescue.” She clears her throat.

“Luna,” her husband says her name, and it sounds like a warning.

“He has to be informed,” she says. “I’m not trying to step on anyone’s toes or function as a psychiatrist. I’m not. But I’ve seen a lot. This sort of event isn’t just a little accident where she’ll need a few days to recover. The kind of emotional trauma Abby suffered runs deep into the psyche. She’s a tough woman, and I believe she’ll recover, but she’s going to need professional help.”

“Ahern, sorry it took us this long to come by,” Bradley interrupts as he enters the area, followed by Hawk.

“She’s going to be fine, man,” Hawkins says as he walks toward me.