Page 109 of Last Chance

“We’ll deal with it,” he murmured. “If Maria can’t provide the help David needs, we’ll make sure he gets every resource available to help him recover as much of his life as possible.”

“This is awful,” she whispered. “How will I explain this to Maria?”

“None of this is your fault. No one holds you responsible for what happened to David.”

“I wish he’d stayed home. If he had, he’d still be whole and healthy. Now, his life will be forever changed.”

“Wait and see,” Jesse said. “Let’s not expect the worst. Once he wakes up, the doctors will have a better assessment of his condition and his chances of recovery.”

Sawyer continued to hold the woman he loved for several minutes. Finally, she loosened her grip and returned to the couch, where he crouched in front of her. “I need to check in with Brody and Brent. I won’t be far.” After another glance at Jesse, Sawyer walked a few feet away from the entrance of the waiting room.

He called Brody first and reported the latest.

“Need more help with security at the hospital?”

“Yeah, we do.” He told Brody about the connection between Vatos Locos and Maria’s family members. “I’m not a big believer in coincidence.”

“Neither am I. When are Maria and her escorts arriving?”

“Within the next two hours, according to Simone and Zane.”

“Call the boss and update him. We’ll be at the hospital in a few minutes. Watch your back and stay focused.” Brody ended the call.

Sawyer’s next call was to Brent.

“Talk to me.”

He repeated the information he’d reported to Brody. “The rest of Texas Team will arrive at the hospital soon to help me protect Janie.”

“I don’t like this.”

“Neither do I. The danger circling Janie is edging closer by the minute, and we still don’t know why they want her.”

“Must have something to do with the hijacking.”

“Agreed, but is it a case of wrong place, wrong time, or did the hijackers deliberately target Janie?”

“That’s the question of the year.” After a few more instructions, Brent ended the call.

Sawyer returned to the waiting room and crouched in front of Janie where she sat on the couch. “You okay?” he asked.

“Not really.”

“What can I do to help?”

“Walk with me. I need to get out of this room.”

“Go,” Jesse said. “I’ll stay close in case the nurse reports a change. I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”

“Thanks.” Sawyer helped Janie to her feet and escorted her to the elevator. He had the perfect place in mind for Janie to walk.

They rode the elevator to the first floor, and he guided her to the garden. He found a bench under a large tree. “Want to sit or keep walking?”

“Walk.”

He walked along the concrete path around decorative bushes, trees, and flowers.

Janie stopped every few feet to admire a different flower or plant. She glanced up at Sawyer with a bright smile. “This garden is gorgeous.”