Seeing as it was going to take some time for Conor to wake up properly, Emily took her nana home. But it wasn’t home, was it? It was Conor’s apartment.

Emily showered and changed. She was too hyped to sleep but Nana was much older and more easily fatigued. She literally pushed the old lady into bed, making a promise she would call her if she had any news. She left cash for her grandmother if she wanted to take a cab over to the hospital. But given how tired she was, she reckoned her grandmother might sleep through the next couple of days.

Steven escorted her back to the hospital, reassuring her he still had a guard on Conor’s apartment so her nana was safe. He told her Conor’s place was more secure than the White House.

“Why?” she asked.

“Why what?’

“Why does he have to live with this level of security?”

Steven shrugged. “It’s normal for most people of Conor’s wealth and status. There are a lot of nut jobs out there.”

Yes, there were, and one had hurt Conor while he was doing a favor for her. She would never forgive herself if he died or was left horribly injured.

“He’ll be fine, Emily. I’ve seen men with half his strength recover from injuries twice as bad.”

“Thank you, Steven. Do the police have any leads or suspects?”

Steven didn’t answer.

“Steven? Tell me please,” she pleased. “You think I’m to blame, don’t you?”

“Not you personally, but yes, I think the shooter was after you. I am not sure if he meant to hurt you. I don’t think he did, but who knows with these people?”

“I can’t understand how he got in. How did he get a key, or make it past the doorman?”

“Who has a key to your apartment?”

“Nobody, apart from the doorman in the case of an emergency. Oh, and Carrie.”

“Carrie from work?”

“Yes. I’ve known her since I was four. She is totally trustworthy.”

Steven nodded, his expression unreadable. Emily wished she could relax, but the thought of someone watching her, being in her home, and touching her things made her feel violated.

When they arrived at the hospital, she nearly jumped from the elevator to get to Conor’s room quicker but the doctor stopped them.

“Ms. Williams, we were just about to call you. Mr. Dunne is awake and talking.”

“Thank you, Doctor.” Emily couldn’t stop smiling. She walked into the room, delighted to find Conor awake, although she didn’t like the look on his face.

“Heard I was engaged. Aren’t I the lucky fellow?” His tone was cold.

Emily flushed. “Oh, um, about that…”

“Tell me what I’ve missed and where is your ring? You haven’t lost it already, have you?”

“Conor!” Conscious the nurse was listening, Emily tried to distract him with a kiss but although he returned it, he looked at her fingers pointedly.

“Funny, the last thing I remember is you standing me up for lunch. Now it appears we are engaged.”

She stared at him. He had stood her up. Did he get a bang on the head as well as having his knee shot? She was about to ask when they heard a loud argument outside.

“I want to see my son. I’m his next of kin.”

Emily blanched at the thunderous expression on Conor’s face.

“What is she doing here?”

“Conor, it looked like…”

“How did you find her?”

“I told Steven to give me her number.” Her stomach roiled at the look in his eyes. Maybe calling his mother had been the wrong decision. He looked not only angry but worried. As if he was scared. Of his mother?

“You did what?”

“Conor, calm down. You heard what the nurse said. You need to stay relaxed.”

Conor glowered at her but he didn’t get the chance to say anything else before the door to the room burst open, admitting a flustered-looking woman.

“Conor, my poor baby. Mammy is here. You’re going to be fine.”

“Mam, I’m fine. You can go home now.”

“That’s no way to speak to your mother,” the woman said, sharply pulling her body up straighter.

“Mrs. Dunne, perhaps it would be better if you were to come back another time?” Emily tried to intervene.

“Who the he—”

“Mam. Stop it now. You’re making a scene. I am fine, as you can see. Steven will arrange to get you home.”

“But Conor—”

“Mrs. Dunne, this patient needs his rest. Leave now, please, or I will have to call security.” The nurse looked almost as annoyed as Conor.

“But why does she get to stay?” Mrs. Dunne pointed to Emily, making her want to crawl under the bed.

“Ms. Williams is your son’s fiancée. Now please—”

“You’re getting married? You didn’t say any of that on the phone,” Mrs. Dunne said, lightly slapping Emily’s arm before turning back to Conor. “Were you even going to tell me, or would I read about it in the papers? Seriously, Conor, if your father was here to see how you treat me...”

“But he isn’t and you’re leaving. Now. Get out.”

Emily stood to the side, feeling guilty and helpless. She didn’t recognize Conor; the hard look on his face was completely different from the man she thought she knew. No matter what, this woman was his mother. She thought he was being unkind, but she was afraid of inflaming the situation by saying anything.

She stood watching as a combination of Steven and the security people removed Conor’s mother from the ICU. The nurse cast her a sympathetic glance before she slipped out of the room, leaving Conor and Emily alone.

“Conor, I’m—”

“Sorry? You have no idea what you’ve done. All of my hard work down the drain, just like that.”

“But she’s your mother.”

“Yes, and you are my fiancée, though I don’t remember that happening. Was that your idea, too?”

Emily’s temper flared and she tried to tell herself to have patience. He was ill, after all.

“Leave. I want to be alone.”

“Conor, let me—”

“Explain? Save it, Emily. I’m tired.”

“Oh, for goodness sake! You’re as stubborn as a mule. That woman is your mother and you’ve been shot. And as for our engagement, you don’t have to worry about it. It’s over.”

She marched off without waiting for a reply. She couldn’t believe the whole situation had blown up so badly. She could shoot Conor herself. How dare he behave so coldly to her when she had been trying to look out for him?