nodded at the SAR K9 team members who’d come to the hospital: Grace, Trevor, Christopher and Luke.
“Bree, what happened?” Bree’s best friend, Billie, asked with worry in her eyes.
As Bree described the events of the past few hours, she watched her family and friends’ expressions change from disbelief to shock to concern.
“She did a brave thing,” Trevor offered.
“A potentially deadly brave thing,” Aiden said.
Tears welling in her eyes, Mom studied her daughter like she’d never seen her before.
Billie gave Bree a hug. “Quinn and I are headed to California on business tomorrow, but I think I should stay and keep you company.”
“No, don’t you dare stay back on my account. I’m fine.”
“That’s debatable,” Aiden muttered.
“What do you mean?” Mom said.
Aiden narrowed his eyes at Bree, probably expecting her to confess she’d developed an unhealthy and inappropriate connection to a stranger with a gunshot wound.
“I’m okay,” Bree confirmed. “No injuries.”
“Good, then we can go home,” Mom said, reaching out to take her hand.
“I can’t leave the hospital,” Bree said.
“Why not?” Mom asked.
“Here we go,” Aiden muttered.
“Chief Washburn asked me to stay, and even if he hadn’t, I want to be here for Mr. Smith when he wakes up.”
“Breanna—”
“Mom, he has no one, no friends, no family here at the hospital. He doesn’t even remember who he is. I was able to comfort him and he needs me.”
“You don’t even know him,” Aiden snapped.
“That doesn’t make his pain any less real,” Bree countered.
“This isn’t your responsibility.”
“No one should be so scared and alone.”
“Are we still talking about that guy or you?” Aiden accused.
“Aiden, that’s enough,” Mom said.
He planted his hands on his hips and glanced at the floor, shaking his head.
“Breanna is right. The stranger has no one.” Mom scanned the group of friends surrounding them. “We have the wonder of love and friendship.” Mom cracked a proud, gentle smile at Bree. “And the Lord would want us to share our gift.”
* * *
Surrounded by gray, floating in a mass of nothingness, he couldn’t be sure he heard the voice. Where was he again?
I’m going to kill you, slowly, painfully.
An inferno of panic exploded in his chest, the pressure causing him to gasp for air. He wanted to call out but could barely stay focused, much less shout for someone to help him.
I’ll beat you until you give it up, the voice threatened.
He struggled to form words, willing his vocal cords to kick into gear. If only he could get his mind to grab on to something other than the paralyzing anxiety coursing through him.
Then I’ll smother you with a pillow.
“Can I help you?” a woman’s voice said.
The blonde woman? Right, because he’d made her promise to stay close. No, please God, this couldn’t be her. If the man threatened to suffocate him with a pillow he’d surely have no problem hurting the woman.
The woman? Bree. That was her name.
“Bree,” he gasped, remembering her beautiful green eyes, her grounding smile.
A hand gripped his fingers and squeezed. “I’m here.”
No, she shouldn’t be here. His attacker was close, in the room, poised to smother and kill him. Which put Bree in the way because she was tending to him, holding his hand. He tried to pull away, wanting to let her go so she’d be safe.
“What is it?” she said.
He opened his eyes and she came into focus, her sparkling emerald eyes and heart-shaped face framed with golden hair.
“Danger,” he rasped.
“It’s okay. There’s no danger.”
“He said...was going to...kill me.”
“No one’s here but me.” She glanced above him. “And the nurse.”
He shifted his head to the side and spotted a brown-haired nurse fiddling with a machine beside his bed. She smiled down at him.
“See, you’re A-okay,” Bree said.
He turned back to Bree. “He was here.”
“In your room?”
He nodded.
She exchanged a glance with the nurse.
“I’ll go get the officer,” the nurse said.
He didn’t take his eyes off Bree. “Officer?”
“A police officer was assigned to your room last night because I saw one of the shooters.”
“In my room? You were here when he...?” His voice cracked before he could finish.
“It’s okay.” She stroked his arm with one hand while still holding onto him with her other. “He passed me in the hallway, that’s all.” She offered a tender smile. “Are you sure you saw him in here?”
“I heard him.”
“He threatened you?” she said.
He nodded.
“I’m so sorry.” She sighed. “That must have been terrifying.”
Not as terrifying as the thought of the guy hurting Bree.
He was suffering a major head injury all right. Why else would he be more concerned with this woman’s well-being than his mission? His mission, which was what again? He couldn’t remember. He wasn’t even sure how he’d ended up in the hospital.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, as if she sensed his anxiety.
“I don’t remember how I got here or, sorry, but I don’t remember how I know you.”
“You
