“For how long?”

“An hour or less. It’s being arranged.” Jackson pointed a finger at him. “In the meantime, don’t talk to anyone. Don’t contact anyone. Don’t get a wild hair and check in with your office or notify family that you’re fine. None of it. You got me?”

“Yes.” He tried to shift up in the bed and grimaced.

“Stay put. People are on it. You won’t see me again for a while, but you’ll be fine.”

Drawing a slow, deep, careful breath, Tobin asked desperately, “You’re sure of that?”

“Positive.”

As if given a vast reprieve, he closed his unbandaged eye and sank into the bedding. “Thank you.”

“I’m not doing it for you.”

“Jackson.” Reproachful, Alani shook her head at him before addressing Tobin. “He’s surly, but he wouldn’t lie. If he says you’ll be okay, then you will be.”

Tobin gave one nod. “I know.”

It was bad enough that Tobin had been a party to the bullshit, and still Jackson had to ensure his safety. He’d keep him alive. He didn’t need Alani bolstering the guy, too.

Jackson took her hand. “Come on. You and I need to have a little talk, sooner rather than later.”

Alani held his one hand with both of hers. “About what?”

As he exited the room, they passed the nurse. She did a double-take, smiled and watched as he kept walking.

Alani scowled back at her, but he reclaimed her attention by saying, “I’ve been putting it off, but it’s past time now, so I have to tell you about Arizona.”

“Arizona?”

The hall was clear except for the bustle of rubber-shoed nurses and doctors reading charts. He had a lot to do to wrap up the day, and he wanted to get to it. “The girl I told you I saved on that bridge?”

“Oh.” Full of understanding and sympathy, she trotted beside him.

How long would that last? he wondered.

“You think that has something to do with Marc and the people who had him?”

“Probably.” At the elevator, he held the door for an elderly couple. The woman, in her eighties, pushed a wheelchair with an equally aged gentleman seated inside. She struggled with the chair, so Jackson said, “Let me.”

Aware of Alani smiling at him, he helped them inside the elevator, and then, because it was necessary, he also rearranged the older man’s load of flowers, an overnight bag and paperwork.

“Thank you,” the woman said. “Milton has picked up weight and that’s the truth. It makes pushing his chair a little more difficult.”

Jackson doubted old Milt could go over one-twenty, but he just nodded at the woman.

Looking at them with faded blue eyes, Milton grunted. “I told her it was too much for her.” He patted his pointy knee and said to his wife, “You should come on up and we’ll both ride along.”

“Milton.” She swatted his shoulder to hush him. “He’s always outrageous when he has to visit the hospital.”

“Uh-huh,” Jackson said. “I’m betting he’s outrageous all the time—and that you love it.”

Milton grinned. “You got that right.”

“Oh, you.” The old woman swatted at Milton once more. “Behave.”

When Milton reached up and covered her hand with his own, Jackson had the oddest feeling, almost like…melancholy. He looked from those aged clasped hands to Alani, but she was watching the couple, her expression ripe with tenderness.

“If you don’t mind me asking,” Alani said, “how long have you been married?”

“Fifty-seven years,” the man told her. “Every day has been better than the day before.”

The woman sighed her agreement. “We’re blessed.”

Jackson couldn’t stand it; he had to reach over and take Alani’s hand. She squeezed his fingers in understanding.

In the lobby area, he told her, “Stay right next to me,” and he assisted the man and woman to the front doors where a valet took over.

They each thanked him. Jackson waved them off, saying, “Have a good day.” He was still smiling as he turned away.

“What an amazing couple,” Alani whispered.

That particular tone from her had his heart skipping a beat. She was such a gentle person, and despite being impressed with how well she’d held up while facing Tobin, he never wanted her to lose her softness.

That someone had just threatened her suffused him with determination and protectiveness.

He put a hand to the small of her back, but rather than head for the doors where they’d entered, he detoured into the lounge. After digging change from his pocket, he loaded it into a vending machine.

“What are you doing?” Alani asked. And with disbelief: “You’re…hungry?”

Jackson shook his head. “You wanted me to catch that cat, right? If I get him something to eat, it’ll be easier.”

“The cat!” She half laughed, half moaned, and her golden eyes went all misty. “I can’t believe I forgot all about that poor little thing.”

“You’re allowed, honey.” A few others in the lounge gave her glances of sympathy. They likely assumed a sick relative brought about her dismay. She’d gone from smiling at the seniors to near tearful over a stray cat.

Jackson pulled her around so others couldn’t see her. His arms around her, he spoke close to her ear. “You okay?”