Bear got up, nodded at him, and walked out of the room.

“You think it’s wise to keep Rebecca in the room?” he asked when Bear was in earshot.

“She needs her mother right now.”

“Right, because Rebecca’s been such a perfect role model.”

“I know you’re hurting.”

“You weren’t there, Bear. Do not even think to try and understand how I’m feeling right now.”

“You lost a kid.”

“It’s not just about the kid, Bear. You weren’t there to hear her scream. To hear her beg for me to not let the baby go. She begged and pleaded for the baby to be okay. I had to listen to her sobs and know I couldn’t do a thing about it. Don’t even think for a second this is about the kid.”

He turned away from his friend to look into the room.

“I’ve got Bishop watching O’Klaren.”

“I’m going to kill him.” Until he saw Robin open her eyes, and he knew without a single doubt she was okay, he wouldn’t move.

“Now, I hate to be the voice of reason, but it seems I’ve got to. You can’t just kill him. O’Klaren’s still a cop. You kill him, it’s going to look suspicious.”

“You think I don’t have a plan in place? I do, believe me. I’m going to make sure that son of bitch pays for what he’s done.”

Silence met his promise.

It wasn’t just a promise.

This was a fucking vow to end that bastard for hurting her.

He’d never in all of his life been so helpless. He’d always been able to help Robin, even if it was the little things like buying new clothes, or being there when she needed it.

“Maybe you should go in. Sit with her. It might calm you down.”

“Nothing is going to calm me down, not until I watch the life drain from him.”

“For now, be there for Robin,” Bear said. “She’s way more important right now than you going on a killing spree. O’Klaren didn’t crash your car.”

“No, he gave the order, and don’t worry, I’m going to find the men responsible. I won’t make any mistakes. Unlike O’Klaren, I won’t just kill. I’ll make sure I’ve got everything in place to take him out.”

“Until then, she needs you. Be with her. Not anyone else. She is the only thing that matters right now. Be with her.”

She looked so fragile and helpless. Seeing her like this, lying in a hospital bed, he didn’t like it.

Running fingers through his clean hair, he didn’t want to just stare at her: he wanted to hold her. The hospital had allowed him to shower, but he imagined that was only because he refused to leave the building.

“Go.”