The wait seemed to go on forever. Nikoli kept staring at the clock. She was in surgery. Three hours. She’d been in surgery for three hours with no word. The nurse said the doctor would come out as soon as they knew anything. Adam had called Lily’s mom and his own parents. They were all on their way. Nikoli had already arranged for a car to meet them.
His mind kept flashing back to the look in her eyes when she’d seen him with the blonde. It defied words to describe the pain in them. He’d give anything for her not to have seen that. He had been about ready to call it quits when the door opened. No matter who he was with, he couldn’t see anyone but Lily.
She had to be okay. She had to forgive him.
He kept remembering all the laughter they’d shared. The times they’d just lounged on the couch watching horror movies, the debates they’d gotten into over food at one of the endless diners he’d introduced her to. He remembered the way her eyes would go sleepy and darken to a shade of black when desire ruled her. He remembered the deep, husky sound of her voice when she gave in to the passion he stirred within her. Mostly, though, he just remembered Lily, the girl who loved her penguin pajamas and books. God, she loved books. He’d build her her own library.
If she’d just live.
He was the biggest fool God had ever created. The one person who saw past the front he put up and dug deeper to find the real him, he’d tossed out like she was no better than day old garbage. He’d been given a most precious gift, something that was worth more than all the money he had, worth more than any car he owned, something worth more than his own life…and he’d thrown it away. All because he hadn’t been man enough to accept the risk of getting hurt.
And now he was hurting worse than he’d ever hurt, and Lily was fighting for her life. All because he was a fool.
“Can we go now?”
Nikoli opened his eyes at the familiar whine of Adam’s girlfriend’s voice. She looked irritated and impatient. She’d come to the hospital less than thirty minutes ago, and already she wanted to leave? Selfish bitch.
“No, we can’t leave yet, Sue. Lily’s still in surgery.”
“Adam, it’s not like being here is helping her in any way. Let’s go home where you can relax…”
“Relax?” Nikoli exploded. He stood up, his eyes cold and mean. Sue took a step back. “You really are the most selfish bitch I’ve ever met.”
She gasped and looked to Adam for help.
“You’ve known Boy Wonder what, three years or so? He’s known Lily all his life. She’s his sister, his best friend, a part of his soul. Do you really think he’s going to fucking go home and relax while she’s in surgery fighting for her life? And why the fuck would you ask him that? Other than the fact you’re a jealous, selfish she-bitch. Sit your ass down or go home, but do not say one more word about Adam leaving.”
He walked back over to his chair and sat. Sue stared at him, her mouth working while she tried to find words to respond. Finally, after a full minute, she turned on Adam. “Are you just going to let him talk to your fiancée like that?”
“If he were still talking to my fiancée, no, I wouldn’t, but since you and I are done, then he can talk to you any way he wants.”
“What?” she shrieked.
“You are a selfish bitch,” Adam told her. “I just ignored it before. But asking me to leave Lily when she needs me? That’s going too far. I’ve put up with your bullshit for a long time, Sue. I haven’t loved you for a long time. We’re done. Before you make a scene, think of where we are. Most of the football team and everyone who loves Lily is here. You’d best get yourself moving without a fuss.”
Adam stood up and then sat down next to Nikoli. Mike and Janet followed. Nikoli raised his eyebrows. What brought that on?
“You love her, don’t you?” Adam asked after a long while.
“Yeah, but I fucked it up. If she’ll forgive me, I’m going to marry her.”
“You ever hurt her like that again, and I’ll put the barrel of a shotgun between your eyes and hide the body in one of the countless mountain breaks near the coal mines we grew up with. They’ll never find your body. We clear?”
Nikoli nodded, and they both turned their attention back to the clock. What was taking so long?
Thirty minutes later, a tired-looking surgeon waded out into the waiting room and called out Lily’s name. Nikoli and Adam pushed to the front.
“How is she?” Nikoli demanded.
“Is she okay?” Adam asked, his worry plain in his voice.
“Are you family?” the surgeon asked.
“I’m her fiancé,” Nikoli announced and then pointed to Adam. “This is her brother.”
“I’m Doctor Kerev. It was a bit touch and go. We had to remove her spleen and repair some damage done to her kidneys and lungs. She’s got four broken ribs, a fracture of her left femur, and small cranial fracture.”
They all gasped at the extent of her injuries.
“She’ll pull through,” the surgeon hurried to assure them. “We’re going to keep her sedated while her body heals. She needs rest more than anything right now. She’s being moved to the ICU.”
“We’re staying,” Nikoli said, and his tone brooked no argument.
“Only immediate family,” the surgeon said. “Everyone else should head home. There’s nothing more to be done for her right now except to let her rest.”
After much grumbling, the waiting room cleared out, and Mike took Janet home. A nurse led Adam and Nikoli back to the ICU ward and into Lily’s room. She was hooked up to so many machines. She looked helpless and small. They dragged chairs to her bed and stared at each other, just waiting.
The police came and took both their statements about the car chase. It wasn’t long after that before Kade showed up. He’d been down to see Greggory.
“How is she?” he asked.
“Stable,” Nikoli said. “The doc’s keeping her asleep so she can heal.”
“That’s probably for the best.” Kade nodded.
“Has Brian woken up yet?” Adam asked, his voice full of the same rage Nikoli was trying to keep under control.
“I talked to him,” Kade replied. “We thought at first he might be our serial killer, but he’s not. He doesn’t fit the profile, and his apartment confirmed his statement. His place is a shrine to her. He’s been stalking her for years, and I’m guessing she never knew?”
They both stared at him blankly.
“It’s not uncommon for a stalker to never make contact with his victim until he’s ready to strike. Or to never confess his obsession, in this case, since he claims they were friends. He saw an opportunity, and he took it. She was alone and upset, no one was around, and he grabbed her. He was taking her to small house he’d purchased with the funds from an inheritance from his grandfather. If Lily wasn’t a smart girl, there is a good chance we’d never have found her. He took her in a dead zone—no cameras, no witnesses, nothing.”
Fear gripped Nikoli’s heart so hard, he nearly bent over. He’d almost lost her, he would have lost her if that bastard had managed to get her to his house. His hands shook at the thoughts of what might have happened to her.
“What’s going to happen to him?” Adam asked, his hand clutching Lily’s in a death grip. “He’s not going to get out, is he?”
“With the charges that boy racked up tonight, there’s not a judge in Boston that’ll give him bail. He’s going away for a long, long time. Especially with the atmosphere now. Women being kidnapped, murdered, and then dumped? That boy will be lucky if he sees freedom anytime in the near future.”
“Still no luck on the serial killer?” Nikoli asked.
“I’m not supposed to discuss an active investigation,” Kade said quietly, “but given what’s happened tonight, and we think he’s going to strike at one of the college campuses soon, I’m warning you. Any female you care about, don’t let them out of your sight.”
“You told me yesterday you guys were wrapping up,” Nikoli said. “When are you leaving?”
“I’m not,” Kade said. “My supervisor asked me to stay here in Boston until we catch this psycho. I’ll be here until the case is solved.”
They talked for a few more minutes, and then Kade left, telling them to call if they needed anything. Adam settled down next to Lily, her hand still clutched in his.
All they could do now was wait.