I reply with a wan smile.
She releases a hollow laugh. “Don’t argue with me, okay? Just go.”
I give her a full-on hug and she completely embraces it. Pulling back, I see the strained smile on her face.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this, Dad?”
“Well, he did just help save my daughter, so I think he’s redeemed himself,” he replies, ushering me toward the ambulance.
I grab the handle at the side of the door leading into the back of the vehicle and climb aboard. “Looks like I’m coming with you,” I say as I take a seat next to Parker’s stretcher. He just smiles at me through the oxygen mask hugging his face.
Looking back out the doors, I see my dad still standing there with a worried look.
“I’ll see you at the hospital, Dani,” he says just before the paramedic closes up the back.
I feel Parker reach for my hand. He interlocks his smooth fingers with mine and I see him smile again through the mask. A tear rolls down my cheek, but I don’t say a word. I just keep gazing down at him, so thankful that we get to have this moment together.
When we reach the hospital, I don’t even have a chance to say a proper goodbye to Parker. They immediately unload and rush him through the emergency room doors. One of the paramedics stays behind to take me into the waiting room, which is cold and sterile-looking.
As I sit down in the chair closest to the entrance, my eyes scan the few people seated in the area. I’m quickly reminded of why I hate hospitals. They’re always filled with heartbreak and worry over loved ones.
I find myself counting down the minutes until someone I know shows up to keep me company—either that, or the call to go up and see Parker. I fidget in my seat, unable to sit still. The uncomfortable waiting room chairs probably aren’t helping much in that department. My nerves are shot, and I try to clear my head and not think about anything. This is the worst thing for me right now, being alone with my thoughts. Any one of us could have died tonight, and I wonder if Unknown’s pissed off because he didn’t succeed.
The picture of Kevin’s head seeps into my mind, and I try to shake it, not wanting to relive how I felt when I saw it in the dark room. I’m not sure I can endure this for much longer. So many people are dying around me—people I care about.
Giving into my thoughts, I rest my head in my hands to take advantage of a quiet moment to myself. My hands move to cover my face as I cry.
“There you are, Dani.” I hear my father’s voice come from near the entrance.
I raise my teary eyes to his and see his concern. He moves to sit next to me, taking me in his arms. “I’m so sorry I didn’t believe you. I’ve completely failed as a father—and a sheriff. I’ve been so stuck on your mom leaving that I ignored the one thing I shouldn’t have,” he says, pushing me back to look at my face. “You.”
I pull him in for a tighter hug and squeeze as if this is our last chance to do so. “I’ve been waiting for you to say that. You have no idea how much I’ve wanted you to believe me this whole time,” I reply, ugly crying into his sheriff’s jacket.
He shushes me while brushing my hair with his fingertips. “I know, Dani. I know you have. And I can’t even begin to tell you how sorry I am. I could’ve lost you tonight—and it would’ve been my fault,” he says, emotion filling his voice.
I feel a drop of liquid on my forehead and turn to look into his eyes. They’re watery with tears. He releases me and digs into his pocket.
“Before I forget,” he says, “I brought you this. You got a message from an unknown number while I was at the station. We tried to track it back to the sender, but couldn’t. The person must be using an untraceable phone.” He hands it over to me. “We did find some encrypted data and a few of the texts you swore to me that you received. You were right, Dani. They’ve been using a phone app to erase the messages. I felt like complete shit when I found out. If I hadn’t had my head up my ass, I