It was Susan, Robert’s wife. She did her best to make me feel at home, but I couldn’t find the comfort. She had kind brown eyes and chocolate colored hair, adorned with wisps of gray. Talking to her helped get my mind off of things, but once I was left alone for the night, everything came rushing back.

Rubbing my swollen, red eyes, I left my perch on the window seat and opened the door. Still in her flannel pajamas, she held out a tray with a stack of pancakes and syrup. My stomach growled at the smell.

Her smile vanished the moment she looked at my face. “Oh dear, have you been in here crying all night?” Walking past me, she set the tray down on the dresser and turned a motherly glare my way, propping her hands on her hips.

Surely, I didn’t look that bad? I glanced at myself in the full length mirror, and saw I was worse than I thought. “I was thinking about Scott and Nick. My heart hurts for them.”

She glanced over at the perfectly made bed, her expression weary. “You didn’t sleep either?”

I shrugged. “I was afraid I’d have nightmares.”

Her face and arms relaxed. Reaching for me, her warm fingers grasped my wrists. “I know this isn’t easy for you, but you need to take care of yourself. You’re leaving for Wyoming in just a couple of hours. Why don’t you eat and take a shower? I’ll be downstairs if you want to talk.”

My throat closed up, so I nodded, hoping it’d appease her. Once she was gone, I ate as much as I could, then took a long, hot shower. The deputy who’d packed my bag of clothes put several pairs of jeans and T-shirts inside. I grabbed whatever came first and put them on. Before I could leave the room, my phone rang and I jumped. It was a number I didn’t recognize.

“Hello?”

“Hadley, it’s me,” Felicity rasped. My heart dropped; she sounded horrible.

Clenching the phone, I collapsed onto the bed. “Please tell me you have good news.”

She sniffled. “Not exactly. Nick’s been put in a medical coma. He went through several surgeries last night to repair the damage. They . . .” Her voice caught and she sucked in a shaky breath. “They lost him at one point and had to revive him.”

I slapped a hand to my mouth. “Oh my God.”

“All we can do is pray.”

Squeezing my eyes shut, I choked back tears. “I will, every day.” I glanced at the clock and realized I only had a little time before my plane left for Wyoming. Grabbing my bag, I got to my feet, decision made. “I’m coming out there. I have to see him.”

“Are you sure you’re able to? What happened after I left?”

I blew out a frustrated breath. “It’s a long story. I’ll explain when I get there.”

“Okay. Just be careful. The pariahs are everywhere.”

“Noted. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Before hanging up, she told me the room number and I said my goodbyes.

We always called the paparazzi, the pariahs. It didn’t surprise me they were hanging around the hospital. Some of them were really nice, but most couldn’t wait to catch you with your pants down so they could screw you in the ass. Anything to get a headline.

Opening the bedroom door, I took one last look around before heading downstairs. I froze on the steps when the front door slammed shut and a voice I’d never heard before echoed throughout the house. My heart stopped and I sucked in a breath. Had the creeper found me already?

As soon as Robert laughed, I breathed a sigh of relief. It was then I realized how afraid I’d become. Whoever broke into my house was after me. What if he was never caught? I’d never feel safe again.

Turning the corner, I spotted Robert in the kitchen with another man. He was tall, closer to my age, with blond hair and the muscular build of a fighter. His blue gaze met mine and he acknowledged me with a smile. He cleared his throat and Robert turned around to address me.

“Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

“Do you want the truth, or a polite lie?”

He chuckled. “I’ll take that as a no.” Motioning toward his friend, he said, “Hadley, I’d like you to meet Logan Chandler. He’s a good friend of mine and the one who’ll be escorting you to the great state of Wyoming.”

I held out my hand. “Nice to meet you, Logan.”

He shook my hand and winked. “Likewise.”

“Are you going to be ready to leave for the airport in an hour?” Robert asked.

Susan handed me a cup of coffee and patted my shoulder before leaving the room. I set my bag down and took a giant gulp; it burned going down, but my body was numb. “Actually, on the way there, I need to stop by the hospital to see Nick.”

Robert sighed. “That’s not possible.”

My head jerked up and I glared at him. “Why not?”

“Because you need to stay hidden. The hospital is swarming with every fucking news station and gossip rag in the city; all waiting for you to show up.” He stepped back and leaned against the bar with his arms crossed, trying his best to look intimidating in his Minions pajama pants—it wasn’t working. He had a point, sure, but I couldn’t let him stand in my way.

I set my cup down. “There has to be something we can do. I’m not leaving town without seeing him.”

Robert and Logan looked at each other, but it was Logan who turned to me and spoke. “There is a way, but you’re probably not going to like it.”

I stood up straight. “I’ll do anything. Let’s go.”

A small smile splayed across his face. “Your wish is my command.”

When Logan said he had a way in, I didn’t realize it was going to be traveling at breakneck speeds through rush hour traffic on a sport bike. Whizzing by vehicles at ninety miles an hour, I screamed a few times and kept my eyes shut. My teeth ached from clenching so hard, but I sucked it up and held on until we got to the hospital.

“You can let me go now, Hadley.” Logan chuckled, pulling off his helmet. When I didn’t let go, he squeezed my hands, still tightly wrapped around his waist. My muscles shook from holding him so hard.

I slowly pried my hands apart and slid off the bike. “Sorry. I’ve never been on a motorcycle before. At least the paparazzi didn’t recognize us when we pulled in. I mean, how could they when we were going at light speed?” I started to unbuckle my helmet but he grabbed my hands, pulling me to him.

“Keep it on. We’re not alone out here. Pretend to fumble with the straps until we get in the elevator.” I nodded and followed along beside him. There were a few people in the parking garage, but luckily, we were able to get in the elevator by ourselves. Once inside, he helped me with the helmet and pulled it off.

“Here, put this on,” he said, handing me a baseball cap from his back pocket. “We don’t want anyone recognizing you.”

I snorted and slid it down on my head. “I doubt they could anyway. I look like death.”

The elevator doors opened and we stepped out. I already knew where to go. My heart sped up the closer we got to Nick’s room.

A voice called out. “Hadley?”

I gasped and jerked around. Tristan Abernathy stood in the doorway of the waiting room with the rest of the hockey team spread out behind him, dressed in their jerseys and lounging in chairs. Tristan looked worse than any of them. His dirty blond hair was unkempt and he looked exhausted.

“Tristan,” I breathed.

“Where have you been? We were all worried about you.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I’m in protective custody. I’m not supposed to be here, but I had to see Nick.”

He held me close, burying his face in my hair. His chest shook and it broke my heart. “He doesn’t look good, Hads. What if he doesn’t make it?”

“We have to believe he will.” Once he let me go, Kip and Dawson, two of my favorites on the hockey team, stole me away and I threw an arm around them both. They were twins, both with dark brown hair and blue eyes. “I’m going to miss you guys so much.”