I covered my eyes and dragged my fingers down my face before answering. “He helped Taylor’s unhinged roommate kidnap her. And then when the guy in charge wanted to keep Taylor, Endgame refused to leave. Told them they had to go through him to get to her, and they did. They just fucking did.”

“Is Taylor okay?” Gaze put his hands on my shoulders.

“She’s okay. I mean, what the hell? She was kidnapped and fucking did CPR on Endgame. Holy shit. I think I’m going to be sick.” I felt my stomach roll.

Gaze dragged me to the restroom and I made it to the toilet to throw up.

“I never wanted to hurt anyone. Instead, I managed to hurt both Taylor and Endgame.” My voice echoed in the bathroom.

Gaze held my hair and rubbed my back. “I’m sure it’s not like that.”

It was. It was exactly like that. I felt my whole world swirling with the bowl as I flushed it.

26

TAYLOR

My father kept his hands on my hospital bed. It was like he wanted me in arm’s reach. Every time I looked at him, he was looking at me. At least I had been moved into a private room, at least Dad a soft chair to sit in.

The doctor was in and out and the nurses and nurse techs were pretty constant foot traffic. My worst injury was my wrists, and they would take a while to heal. I was sore. The doctor wanted to keep me overnight for observation and monitoring because I had lost consciousness.

Two cops came to visit as well, and Dad didn’t have to leave for that. I didn’t think he would have anyway. He was clearly dealing with some deep feelings, and leaving my side was not on his agenda.

“So, just to sum it up, this Roberta girl has been stalking you and demanding you pay for stuff? And this guy, Torin, was a friend of your friend, Austin? And he was involved somehow in leading you to the van?” All the information was tapped into a laptop.

“Yes. That’s correct.” I felt like filling out paperwork was a waste of time. Endgame had died in front of me. In my arms.

Before the tall policeman with the bushy eyebrows could ask any more questions, Nurse Mayborn was back in the room.

“That’s enough for now. She’s exhausted and needs rest.”

The cops handed me a business card and said they would be in touch.

My father resumed his spot while Nurse Mayborn went over my vitals for what felt like the millionth time.

“So who is Raven with?” I patted his big hand.

“She’s at Valerie’s.” Dad looked at his phone.

“You probably have to get home to get her,” I recommended.

Nurse Mayborn added, “And visiting hours are almost over.”