Izzie fought the cloud. Something wasn’t right. Izzie pushed through the haze. She had to figure out what had happened and where she was. Drugged. She’d most certainly been sedated.
There was beeping to her left. It was a familiar sound, but she couldn’t identify it at the moment. She wanted to turn her head but couldn’t. There were tubes in her nose and in the back of her hand. Lower.
Yes. She’d experienced that unpleasant joy before.
Hospital. It didn’t take her long to put that together. She forced her muscles to relax. She was in the hospital. That meant she was safe.
Safe. She didn’t know why she had thought she was unsafe. Something significant had happened.
She’d probably had another asthma attack and had passed out. It was rare, but it had happened to her before.
Although this current situation felt a bit extreme for an asthma attack. That much was clear.
She made a sound. If she was in the hospital, Annie was going to be somewhere nearby.
Someone moved near her. Izzie’s eyes popped open.
Yes. Hospital. Intensive care, she thought, on the 500s floor. The room looked familiar—but not from this angle. Her gaze went to the window first. It was dark out. Night. It was night.
She looked to the other side. Someone was there.
She was expecting it to be Annie. Or Jake. Or Nikkie Jean. Even Cherise or Jillian. There had been that one anaphylactic attack she’d had a few years ago when they’d been celebrating Jillian’s birthday. The waitress had given her a dessert with nuts by mistake. Izzie had almost died.
When she’d opened her eyes, Jillian had been there next to her bed. Her friends had been taking turns staying with her.
They had each other’s backs at FCGH.
A tall man was there now. Sprawled in the chair next to her.
Allen Jacobson. She made another sound. He didn’t make any sense.
Why was he in her hospital room? Panic started to build. She shifted in the bed, trying to see if someone else was near. Fire shot through her chest. She cried out again. Annie. Nikkie Jean. They should be there, not him. Jake. Jake should be around somewhere.
Unless something had happened to all them.
Fear for them, especially Nikkie Jean shot through her. Something had happened. Nikkie Jean had been there. With her. She couldn’t remember what. She bit back another cry.
“Relax, Izzie. You’re ok. Shh. Don’t move around too much. You’ll undo all Virat and Cage’s handiwork.” Dr. Jacobson’s hand covered hers. The touch of his flesh on hers was all that kept her from panicking completely. He was real; she wasn’t in there alone. And…she knew him. That mattered so much. “I’m checking on you. I had a late-night emergency surgery and wanted to check on you before I left. You’re ok. Safe. No one can hurt you now. You’re safe now. Everything is ok, and everyone is safe. Annie left with Turner a few hours ago.”
“What’s...happened?” His hand felt strong, hot, and solid. His tone was soothing. She was safe. In the hospital. With people who cared about her fifty feet away. She pulled in a breath as deeply as she could. Speaking took every bit of energy reserve she had. “I don’t know what happened. Tell…me.”
“You were shot three times. Do you remember being at W4HAV with Nikkie Jean?”
She closed her eyes as it came rushing back. Dr. Henedy. He’d…
Tears filled her eyes when she opened them again. “Nikkie Jean...ok?”
He smiled. He had a beautiful smile. She’d always thought that. Arrogant ass at times, but he was a beautiful man to look at. Izzie concentrated on the feel of his touch. The connection to another living being right then. “She’s fine. A little bruised, but she and Caine are both fine. Caine has her at his place, and he and his uncle and the kids are coddling her again. They’re driving her crazy. She loves it. I saw her myself this afternoon. She’s ok, I promise.”
Her eyes closed. She couldn’t keep them open. “Good. So scared. Worried.”
A light touch ruffled the hair over her forehead. “I know. I was, too.”
“Anyone know...why…did this?”
“Not yet. The TSP won’t stop until they find out. You...you rest now. You’re going to be ok. I’m not settling for anything less. Virat and Cage did a great job stitching you back up. Stay still and let your body heal.”
“I’ll do that...”
Something occurred to her then. That last shot. He’d been there. “You ok, too?”
“Yes. I’m just fine.”
“Good.” She gave him a sleepy smile as the fear slipped away. “Thanks, Jacobson. Saved me again. Starting to become a habit...”
She focused on the warmth of his hand on hers as she drifted back under the haze one more time.