He stared at Robin.

His gut twisted.

There were bruises appearing on her face, and he knew there were several across her abdomen from connecting with the car.

Don’t be a coward.

She didn’t need a man who ran away right now.

Robin needed someone strong.

When he opened the door of her room, Rebecca looked up.

“I’ll go and get some refreshments,” Rebecca said. “There’s been no change.”

He nodded. He didn’t want to make small talk with the woman. He wanted her gone. She didn’t argue with him as she slid right on past him, leaving the room. The door closed behind her, and all he heard was the deathly silence.

He walked closer, and instead of taking the seat Rebecca had sat in, he perched on the edge of her bed.

“Hey, beautiful,” he said.

No notice, not even a flicker.

Her hands were by her sides, and he took one within his.

“I’ve got you. I won’t let you go. I’m going to make sure no one can get to you in here.” The promise, even to him, felt empty, flat.

He shouldn’t be making promises he couldn’t keep.

“I, erm, I promise to you, Robin, I’m going to get the guys who did this. I’m going to make them pay.” He lifted his hand, about to touch her stomach, but didn’t.

There was nothing in there.

“When this is all over, and you’re well again, you don’t have to leave my house. You can stay with us for as long as you want. I like the company. I also like cooking for you. I don’t mind your lame-ass comedy romances either. It’s refreshing. Damn it, Robin, I don’t want you to go.” He ran his thumb back and forth across her hand. “I know you belong to … Bishop … but I like having you around, and believe me, it’s not easy for me to say.”

His throat felt thick. There was no way he was going to allow the tears to consume him, or to get any chance of falling.

He was strong.

He wouldn’t let them fall.

“I’m so freaking sorry I failed you. I wanted this baby with you, and how you handled everything, you were so strong. Randall told me you’d have kids again. Nothing was damaged. I know Bishop will be with you and give you all the kids you want.” He wasn’t going to think about the jealousy spiraling inside him.

It didn’t have a single place.

“You’ll make a good mother one day, but then, you’ve got a great model of how not to be one.”

Stop rambling.

Just … be there.

****

“No change?” Rebecca asked.