Page 58 of Decker

He watched, feeling like a spare part, as Savannah climbed into the back of the ambulance with the crew. Her eyes came to him once, a look of loss on her beautiful face before the doors closed and the rig was driving away.

“Come on, Deck, I’ll give you a lift to the hospital while Aubrey processes the scene. We don’t want anyone else to see us here.”

Jack urged him toward the SUV, and he followed, grateful. He didn’t care if he couldn’t see her, he needed to be close to her. He’d let far too much time pass without feeling her in his arms or seeing her, and he couldn’t go any longer.

At the hospital, he was told that Darla Jenkins had been taken into theatre and another nurse told him Dr Sankey was performing the surgery. “Is that usual?”

“It is for a neuro procedure, where the bullet nicked her spine, yes.”

He didn’t ask more questions in case the nurse was unaware of the specifics, so he sat and waited in the second-floor hallway outside the theatre.

Addie handed him a coffee as the time rolled into the sixth hour. “Here, you look shattered.”

“Thanks.” He took it and sipped the fragrant liquid before leaning forward, elbows on his knees. “How is she, Addie, and tell me the truth?”

“Hurt, missing you, but doing okay. Savannah is strong and seeks the positives in life. She’s been offered a job in Germany.”

Decker closed his eyes against the feeling of panic at the thought he might be too late.

“She hasn’t taken it yet, but she needs a reason to stay. Give her one.”

“I love her.”

“Then tell her that. Don’t let fear steal a future that could be filled with beauty.”

“What if it’s too late?” His biggest fear was that he’d left it too long and she’d want nothing to do with him.

“Then you work harder until you convince her you’re the man she fell in love with and you’re sticking around.”

Deck smiled as he glanced at Adeline. “Lopez struck gold when he found you.”

“I think we both did.”

“True.”

“Want me to wait with you?”

“No, get home to your family. I’m going to wait until she gets out of surgery.”

“Okay, Deck.”

He watched Addie walk away thinking about what she’d said. He’d do whatever it took to convince Savannah that he was worth the risk with her heart and spend his life making up for his mistakes.

Five hours later, Savannah walked out of the operating theatre looking exhausted as she pulled the scrub cap off her head. He stood and walked toward her and saw her stop when she noticed him. “Savannah?”

“What are you doing here, Mark?”

“Can we talk?”

Savannah shook her head. “I can’t right now. I have to give a statement to Aubrey and I’m dead on my feet. I need to go home and sleep.”

“Will you let me drive you home?”

“Why?” She frowned looking confused and he knew he had an uphill climb on his hands.

“Because I need to know you’re safe.”

“Fine, whatever.”