“Did you see where she was hit?” Jackson demanded.

Eli looked pained. “It looked like she got hit in the side. I’m hoping it was her arm.”

“Hoping won’t keep her alive.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

THERE WERE MOMENTS when life seemed to repeat itself, like a movie stuck on instant replay. Jackson sat in an uncomfortably rigid chair in the waiting room of New Haven General Hospital feeling like he’d time traveled back three years. The same bland, blue color scheme. The same worn, plush chairs. The same bad artwork.

It didn’t look any different than when he’d been here after Cynthia’s accident. He just had to hope the news he would receive would be better than last time.

“You’re still here. I told you I wasn’t going to let you see my sister.”

Raina stood in front of him, arms crossed. Her security officer stood behind her. She’d introduced him last night but Jackson didn’t remember his name. All he remembered was Raina telling him that Mr. Muscle’s only task was to keep him and Nick away from her sister.

“And I told you I wasn’t leaving until I do.”

He sucked in a deep breath and clasped his head between his hands. Nick had been on the phone practically all night. He’d called every number he had for Raina until he found her. Then he’d stayed on the line listening as she cursed him every way possible until she’d arrived at the airport for her flight.

“She wouldn’t be in here if it wasn’t for you.”

She had all the power in this circumstance and he knew it. She was Ridley’s next of kin and could deny him access to her until Ridley woke up. But damned if he was going home without a fight. Eventually Ridley would be ready to leave the hospital. He was prepared to sit there for days if that was how long it took.

“We agree on that.”

He hung his head again, shame twisting his stomach into knots. He’d thrown her out with little more than a lame apology and some cash. He could have let her stay until her sister came back. He could have done any number of things other than send her out on her own. Moreno hadn’t even had to work for it. Jackson had practically gift wrapped his prey and handed it to him.

“At least Moreno isn’t your father.” At her surprised look, he added, “Eli figured it all out. That’s how we knew she was in trouble.”

“Too late, though. You figured it out too late, or my sister wouldn’t be lying in a hospital bed fighting for her life.”

“I know.” There was nothing else for him to add.

“Moreno isn’t our father,” she said finally. “According to the FBI, there was never any lead in the first place. He was just playing on her hopes and dreams so she’d keep the flash drive for him. Ridley’s always been a soft touch.”

A family came in and sat in the chairs next to Jackson. He got up and moved so they could use his chair. The mother nodded at him gratefully before plopping her oversized diaper bag in the seat he’d vacated.

“I’m glad he’s not. She deserves better than that.”

Raina crossed her arms and stared at him. He held her eye, not to challenge her but because he knew he deserved her scorn. When she’d arrived, perfectly made up with her hair arranged in a stylish updo, she’d looked like the Raina he remembered. Now, hours later, she’d shed the top layer of her outfit and taken her hair down. Her makeup had worn off so she looked softer. More like Ridley.

It was painful just to look at her.

“She’s going to be fine,” Raina said finally. “She’s out of surgery. The bullet missed her lungs so she’ll be okay.”

Jackson let out the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. He wanted to thank her for letting him know but the words wouldn’t come, so he just nodded. She seemed to understand though because for a second, her expression softened just a little bit.

She motioned for him to follow her. “I’m only letting you see her because I’m sure the nurses are tired of seeing you.”

He followed as she strode down the hall and turned left at the nurses’ station. Her security officer trailed him. Jackson looked back at the other man. He raised an eyebrow at him so Jackson turned around and jogged to catch up with Raina. She stopped outside the second to last room in the hall and pointed at him, her finger almost jabbing him in the chest.

“You said you just wanted to see her, so go see her and then get out of here. The nurse gave her a sedative and she’s sleeping, which is the only reason I’m agreeing to this. I don’t want her to see you and get upset all over again. You’ve done enough damage as it is.”

“I understand.” Now that he was here, his heart was beating wildly at the thought of seeing her again. He ducked into the room. It was dimly lit, the only sound the soft beep of the machines next to the bed. As he approached, his breath caught at the sight of Ridley motionless against the stark white sheets.

Jackson took in her calm features, trying desperately to memorize her face. He looked up at the machine connected to her IV and let the comforting sound of the rhythmic beeping wash over him. It hurt to think of her being sustained on machines but at least she was here. She was alive.

He stroked her cheek gently. “I told you before that I loved you. I’m so sorry I didn’t love you enough to believe you when you needed me to.”

I would have given you anything, he’d said. He was such a fool. All he’d been able to see was the money. He’d been so worried about being taken advantage of that he hadn’t been able to give her the one thing she’d needed. His trust. Something that didn’t cost anything other than faith.