“Everyone is at your condo. They’ve been there since I couldn’t find you.” He dials the phone. “Hi, it’s me. Yes, I have her, and we’re on our way to Emanuel Hospital now. She seems to be okay, but we’re going to have a doctor check her out. Okay, sounds good. See you soon.”

“Well?”

“Now they’re all headed to the hospital too.”

I feel more tears threaten. I love all of those people so much, and to know they love me just as much is overwhelming and humbling and such a fucking relief.

“Hey, don’t cry, baby.”

“It’s the adrenaline,” I reply, and accept a tissue from the paramedic. “It’s a chemical reaction to a severely stressful stimulus.”

“And she says she’s not a scientist,” he says with a smile, holding my hand. I glance down to see that I’m white-knuckling his fingers.

“Please don’t let go,” I whisper. He leans in and kisses me gently, then hooks a piece of hair behind my ear.

“Never. You’re stuck with me, Red.”

Chapter Twenty

~Mac~

She’s safe.

My God, I think the past twenty-four hours took ten years off my life, but I’d gladly trade them again for the same outcome. Kat is safe.

We’re waiting for the doctor to come discharge her, and then we can go home.

“They don’t have to wait,” she says, shaking her head. “They know I’m fine; they should go home.”

“They love you,” I reply simply. “They want to see you with their own eyes before they go.”

The whole gang moved from her place to the hospital, and have been waiting here for three hours to see her. It’s almost time for the sun to come up, and I know that I’m ready to take Kat home, curl around her as she sleeps, and never let her out of my sight again.

“Excuse us,” Sue says as she pokes her head in the doorway. “Can we come in and say hi?”

“Hi, Mom,” Kat replies with a tired smile.

“Of course.” I kiss Kat’s cheek, then stand back as her parents shuffle into the small room. “While you sit with her, I’ll go give everyone an update.”

“Good idea,” Stu says, shaking my hand. “Thank you for taking care of her.”

I nod and hear Kat say, “We’re just waiting for the discharge papers,” as I leave the room and walk down the hallway to the waiting room. Landon and Cami are snuggled up in a corner, and Addie and Jake are sitting opposite them. Addie is rubbing circles over her belly. Mom, Mia, and Riley are chatting and Chase is pacing the room.

“How is she?” Chase asks.

“She’s fine. Minor concussion is all, and they just gave her something for the headache. We’re just waiting for the discharge papers.”

“Thank God,” Mia says as Riley and Addie both break down in tears. “What a fucking nightmare.”

“It’s over,” I reply, and pull Mia in for a big hug. “She’s just fine, and she’s safe. I hope they have a solid case on the fuckers who took her.”

“They do.” My head whips around at the sound of my dad’s voice. “They’ll be in jail for a very long time.”

“Good, because otherwise I’d have to go kick their asses myself,” Kat says as she and her parents join us. “I can’t believe you’re all still here. Seriously, somebody should be getting some sleep.” Despite the sarcastic words, her eyes are full of tears as her friends and family rush to envelop her in hugs and love.

While she’s surrounded by those she loves the most, I pull my dad to the side. “Since you’re here, I assume they didn’t press charges against you for illegal gambling.”

He shakes his head. “No. They cut a deal with me in exchange for the information I gave them.”

I nod. “Thank you for helping us find her.”

“Fuck, Mac, I’m the reason they took her! You shouldn’t me thanking me, you should be kicking my ass. I’m so sorry this happened.”

“Oh, trust me, I’ve wanted to kick your ass more times than I can count over the past ten years.”

“I’m a disappointment,” he says, hanging his head.

“You don’t have to be,” I reply with irritation. “We’ve been telling you for years to get help, Dad. Jesus, Mom left you and you didn’t even notice she was gone for almost two weeks! I mean, who does that?”

“I know.” He scrubs his hand over his face. His eyes are tired and just . . . defeated.

“Dad, you have to go to treatment.”

“Treatment isn’t free, son.”

“God, you’re a pain in the ass.” I pace away from him, then back to him, and shove my hands in my pockets so I don’t strangle him. “Chase and I made a lot of money when we sold the bars.”

“So?”

“So I might not have been willing to pay for you to feed your habit, but I’ll happily pay for treatment. Dad, you have to get a handle on this. Do it for Mom.”

We both look over at Mom, who’s hugging Kat gently. “She’s an amazing woman.”

“Yes, she is. And she loves you. She doesn’t want to give up on you, Dad. Get some help so you can grow old with her.”

“I’ll do it. I don’t know how I’ll thank you for it, but I’ll do it.”

“Just get well. That’s the only thanks I need.”