I nodded woodenly. “I have to go. How do I get to Seattle in the middle of the night? Can I take the Whaler?”

“You want to go to Seattle? Are you sure you’re ready for that?”

Just hours ago, I’d watched Brody climb aboard the ferry, so sure that I wasn’t anywhere near ready to venture onto the mainland. But now, nothing in the world could keep me away. Not even the knowledge that I’d be in range of my brother. “I need to go now.”

Caelyn wrapped me in a hard hug. “We’re gonna get you there. Griffin has a boat that can make the trip. Ford can drive it, and Bell will go with you.”

“I can’t ask—”

Caelyn held my shoulders as she pulled back from her embrace. “Don’t say another word. This is what friends do.”

And for the first time in my life, I had those kinds of relationships. I’d be forever grateful.

I trembled in the back of the cab as we rode to the hospital. The trip had taken far too long. I stared at my phone, willing it to ring. Carson had texted to tell me that the CT scan was done and they were waiting for results.

My finger rubbed circles on the smooth stone, the one I’d used to ground myself for years. But now it wasn’t doing a damn thing to help. Space seemed to be closing in around me as I struggled to keep my breaths even.

Bell patted my knee. “He’s going to be okay.”

I nodded, refusing to voice the fears running rampant in my mind.

“Would you mind going a little faster?” Ford asked. “We’ve got a friend who was in an accident.”

But it wasn’t an accident. Someone had deliberately tried to hurt Brody. For what? A few dollars and a cell phone? But I knew better than most that some people didn’t need a reason to inflict pain. Sometimes, they simply liked it. I shuddered as an image of Michael sneering over me filled my mind.

I was okay. Safe. I had Bell and Ford. This hospital was on the opposite side of the city from where Michael lived. Everything was fine. I whispered the reassurances over and over to myself until we pulled up to the emergency room.

I was out of the cab in a flash, Bell hot on my heels as Ford tossed some bills at the driver with a muttered “thanks.” I charged into the ER, scanning for anyone who might be able to tell me where Brody was. A middle-aged woman behind a desk gave me a kind smile. “Can I help you? Are you hurt?”