I hated hospitals. Fucking despised them. This one wasn’t any better. High-dollar art on the walls and classical music in the waiting rooms didn’t erase the smell of antiseptic in the air. They could lay as many tiles of marble that they wanted and set out expensive orchids—it didn’t change what this place was. Celebrities died and decayed like everyone else. I wondered if they thought if they could make it glossy and shiny, the outcome would be different.

My two best agents followed closely behind me.

It shouldn’t have been so easy for me to gain access to this wing. I glared at the security guard watching as I walked past. Amateurs. They had no business being in charge of people’s safety. The press was camped outside

Room 321.

I wasn’t ready for this.

“Wait here,” I directed the agents.

I pushed open the door. Ralph Peacock hopped up from his seat, balancing three different cell phones in his hands.

“What the hell are you doing here?” he screeched.

But I didn’t answer. My eyes were on her. Abi was still. Her pale blue eyes were closed and for a second my heart felt as if someone had shredded it. It was hard to breathe. She shouldn’t be in that bed.

“How did you get in here, Reid?” Peacock was agitated. It didn’t take much to rile him up.

My eyes landed on him.

“How did this happen?”

He shook his head. “You really think she wants you here? I didn’t call you.”

My eyes narrowed. “I asked you a question.”

Ralph nodded for me to follow him to the hallway. He closed the door behind us.

“I don’t know what Abi can hear,” he explained. “We shouldn’t argue in front of her.”

“I don’t see a need to argue.”

His shoulders relaxed. “Good.”

I folded my arms across my chest. “I want a full debrief. Every witness account. Every photograph from the scene. I need the full rundown of her schedule for the past two weeks and any cross-referenced encounters.”

Ralph rolled his eyes. “You haven’t been on Abi’s security detail in two years. Not since you became Mr. Billionaire. Don’t think you can prance in here with your hot agents and take over. You aren’t in charge of Abi. I am.”

I huffed. “Look what happens when you’re in charge. She gets shot.” I wanted to wrap my hand around his neck. “Get me what I asked for.”

“You’re not my boss. Abi is.”

“Trust me. I have no interest in hiring you, Ralph. But until the suspect is in custody, Abi isn’t safe. And I’m taking over. I can protect her. You clearly aren’t cut out for it.” I glared at him. His brow perspired.

He sputtered. “I’m not a bodyguard. I’m her manager. Don’t put this on me. She makes her own security calls.”

“And who lets her do that? Where is the guard for her door? Where was her bodyguard this morning?”

He blinked. “She went to the gym.”

I groaned. “See? You don’t understand how important her security is 24-7. It’s not part-time. It’s never part-time. Get me the information. And I want to speak to her doctor immediately. She needs to be moved tonight.”

“Tonight? She just got out of surgery. Dr. Mills wants her to rest.”

I fought the urge to let my heart rip open again. Abi should never have had surgery. She shouldn’t be here. There was an attack on her life and Ralph had no idea how to handle it. She needed me now more than ever. I had to stay focused and get her out of here.

“I’ll take care of her from here on out.” I turned for the door, making it clear he wasn’t stepping foot back inside until I had what I wanted. My agents flanked the entrance behind me.

Ralph twisted his lips together. “Fine. But don’t upset her. Just stay quiet. She needs calm right now. Don’t even talk to her. Ok?”

I nodded and walked inside room 321.

I took the chair in the corner and watched Abi sleep. Her auburn hair was pulled to the side in a braid.

I should have been here. I could have stopped this from happening. I could have kept her safe.

Two years ago I walked away. Turned my back on her.

Watching her sleep like this, I couldn’t remember why. I couldn’t come up with a single reason why I wasn’t spending my life with her. What happened to us?

My elbows dug into my knees as I bowed forward.

The machine beside her beeped.

I did something I never did—I prayed.

I swore then and there, that I would never leave Abi unprotected again.