Nick gave me a deep hum. “That was good. Let’s worry about you right now. Bad news can wait. I’m going to get some saline in you.”

I stared at my feet popping out from under the blanket.

I heard him amend, “And maybe a few painkillers. ’Cause I know those fingers are throbbing right now.”

The anxiety of it all dulled and blurred. I closed my eyes as the painkillers hit my veins. I could still feel the vehicle moving, but I was crashing now. My hands were throbbing. I let the road noise mix with the siren and tried to imagine a world where I wasn’t going to have to tell Austin that Endgame had died.

25

AUSTIN

The level of distress I was in—we all were in—could not be quantified. I was dressed as a bride. Hell, everyone was. And instead of fun social media pictures, we’d been trying to coordinate where Taylor was and what happened to her.

My parents were rocks, as usual, but when I saw my mom give my dad sneaky big eyes, I knew they were concerned.

Thank God Milt and his friends could hack the living shit out of the surrounding technology. They were able to ping Endgame’s phone and the hope was that he and Taylor were together. We were able to give the cops the coordinates of the location. We had been driving to that location as well when Taylor had messaged me on my social media.

Speaking to Taylor was a huge relief but hearing how altered and distressed she sounded added a layer of concern.

As we sped to the hospital in my parents’ minivan, Teddi was sending out for social media prayers. My dad had a friend in the police department, and he had an update that Taylor was okay, just like she’d said on the phone, as far as he knew.

When my father pulled into the emergency bay, I hopped out, as did my mom. At the information desk, I informed them that my wife was admitted. We were directed to a room that was mostly curtains. I peeked inside and Taylor was looking back at me. She was still in the same outfit as I was, except hers had brownish red stains on it. Her wrists were bandaged and she had an IV.

“Sweet hell. Holy shit.” I caught my balance on the footboard of her hospital bed. She appeared a little buzzed. A nurse pushed past Mom and me.

“Hey there, family members. I’m Nurse Mayborn. Once you all get to say hi, only one of you can stay in here at a time.” The nurse had jet-black hair and elaborate eye wings. Normally, I'd note the talent it took to do that. Not now, though.

I came next to Taylor and rested my head on hers.

“Are you okay?” I put my arms around her gently.