“What was that?” Killian asked, moving to take their place next to Maraveet’s bed.

“That was your girlfriend’s idea,” she hissed through her teeth. The calm façade she’d been holding onto for the police was gone. In its place was a sheen of sweat across her brow and trembling hands. “She’s a bloody menace, you know that right? An absolute nut.”

“What idea?” he demanded.

Maraveet ignored him as she picked at the tape holding her IV needle in place along the back of her hand. “Should never have listened. It was pity is what it was,” she grumbled to herself. “I felt bad so I agreed. Never doing that again. Bloody cops.”

“Maraveet!” Killian snapped. “What did you two do?”

“Apparently we told the truth to save you!” she cried with great exaggeration.

“What truth?”

She tore the needle out and pitched it aside. Her hand closed around the blankets next as she struggled to heave herself off the bed.

“Ask her!” She rolled to her feet and swayed. “It was her stupid idea.” Moving with a slight limp, she hurried to the folded chair containing her coat and shoes and tossed both on. The coat took a bit longer without jostling her ribs. “They’ll return the second they find my prints on that boat and I don’t intend to stick around.” She paused and glanced at him. “I’ll wait for you at home.”

Killian nodded. “Be careful.”

She rushed to the door and peered out. The coast must have been clear, because she was gone before he could blink.

At least she’s all right, he told himself with a weary sigh.

He left the room and made his way to the other end of the hospital, the end where they were holding Juliette. Every stride was quick and determined, carrying him through the enormous structure at a near run. He told himself it was because he wanted to know what kind of scheme she and Maraveet had cooked up, but the truth of the matter was that he needed to see her, needed to know she was all right. His quick glimpse of her on the boat hadn’t assured him of anything. He still had no idea just how extensive her injuries were, not just beneath her clothes, but in her mind. Something like that left dark prints on the soul. It was like rot beneath the glossy peel of an apple, hidden from sight, but slowly devouring the fruit until it was festering. He couldn’t allow that to become Juliette. It would be just one more evil he’d brought into her life and he couldn’t stand it.

He caught sight of Frank first. He stood at the end of the hall, away from Juliette’s room, but close enough to keep an eye on her door. Sitting or leaning along that same wall was Phil, John, Melton, Tyson, and Jake who were void of their weapons, but still wore their cargo pants and black coats. And since Phil was there, Killian suspected Vi was somewhere inside with Juliette.

“What’s the news?” He stopped next to Frank.

“Cops,” was all the other man said, his face set as he watched the doorway leading into Juliette’s room. “They had questions for Miss Romero.”

Killian nodded. “They just finished talking to Maraveet. She’s gone.” He added when Frank looked over at him. Killian exhaled. “Any idea what the questions are?”

Frank shook his head. “I don’t understand how they knew. The letter we left with young Yolvoski said nothing of Miss Romero or Miss Árnason. Do you think he told them?”

Killian shook his head. “Erik wouldn’t know we would take Juliette or Maraveet to the hospital and he’s not stupid enough to confess to his crimes.”

“Then how…?”

“Juliette,” Killian muttered. “Maraveet said this was all part of her plan.”

Frank frowned. “Her plan?”

Killian only shrugged, not understanding that woman either. “How is she?”

“I overheard the doctor say she was fine. Dehydrated mostly. A few bruises. But she’ll be okay.”

“She seemed okay,” Killian mused.

Frank nodded very slowly, dark eyes pinned to the open doorway. “Young Cruz may have mentioned that Miss Romero had already incapacitated the men before you arrived.”

Memories of how beautiful and fierce Juliette had been on that boat swelled over him like a warm flood of sunlight. It laced with pride and a smug sort of satisfaction he really had no right to feel, but couldn’t stop. She hadn’t let them take her down without a fight. She had stood her ground and kicked the shit out of them. If he wasn’t already madly in love with her, that would have solidified his resolve.

“Aye, she did. She was amazing.”

“She’s very special,” Frank went on casually. “Not the kind of woman you’re likely to find again.”

Killian shot him a sidelong glance. “Are you trying to say something, Frank?”

“No sir. Just making an observation.”

The officers left Juliette’s room. Killian tilted his head away until they were out of sight.

He contemplated walking away, just leaving and not looking back. It would have certainly made things easier, not just for him, but for Juliette who wouldn’t have been in the hospital had it not been for him. It was his fault her life had become so fucked up. But his body had all but shut his brain off, refusing to listen as it started forward. The sweet sound of Juliette’s laughter greeted him before he reached the threshold. It tangled with Vi’s voice as she explained all the things Juliette had missed in her absence.

“That is horrible!” Juliette was saying in between fits of giggles. “He must have been so angry.”

“No!” Vi said. “I mean, I totally expected him to strangle me, but he didn’t.”

“There might still be time for that later.” Juliette laughed. “I hope you apologized at least.”

“I might have momentarily considered it.”

The two burst out in giggles again that made Killian shake his head slightly in amusement. But at least she sounded happy, he thought. She would never forget what happened, but at least she hadn’t let it darken her ability to move past it. That was what he wanted, for her not to live in those couple of weeks. If he had his way, he’d make her forget it entirely.

Then maybe you should let her go, said the sensible voice in his head, the one pinning him to the floor right outside the room. Seeing you would only bring back everything that happened to her. It will remind her of what you did and how you weren’t able to keep her safe.

His body drew away from the door, no longer only aching to see her, but wanting to save her from further pain.

“Killian?” From the wide eyed look of surprise on Vi’s face, she hadn’t been expecting to find anyone blocking the doorway. She exhaled a bit nervously and offered him a sheepish little smile. “You’re here.”

He didn’t know what to say, so he gave a slight nod.

Vi licked her lips and shot a glance towards the side of the room where he suspected the bed was. Her brows drew together for a second before she was looking at him again with an innocence he didn’t buy.

“I’m just on my way to get some poison in a cup so I’ll let you guys talk.”

He heard a hiss from the room that could have been words, but she ignored it as she skipped through the door. Killian moved to let her pass, but she stopped in front of him and threw both arms around his shoulders.

“Thank you for bringing her back,” she whispered in his ear before letting him go and stepping back. She offered him a crooked smile. “You should have brought chocolates.”

Killian blinked. His gaze dropped to his empty hands like he had no idea where they’d come from. Vi laughed as she sprinted past him and hurried down the hall with Phil falling into step alongside her. Killian remained, staring at his palms and wondering if he should get something from the gift shop. That was what normal people did when visiting someone in the hospital, wasn’t it? But it was too late for that now. He was already there and she knew he was there.

Drawing in a breath, he stepped into the room.