Page 92 of Hollow State

“The news. The updates.” Zadie squeezed her fingers. “Quinn has this. Gus has this. We can talk about it after Darwin’s in recovery.”

“I need to hear it,” Wynn said. "I want to know what's going on. Even if I don't seem like I'm all here, I am."

“Okay.” Zadie’s thumb moved over Wynn’s knuckles. “But if you change your mind, just say the word.”

Scout’s phone pinged again. She glanced at it, then held it against her chest.

"What did he text?" Wynn asked.

"He just wanted to know if we'd heard anything about Darwin yet." Scout swiped at her eyes. "He's also checking on Wynn."

"Tell him I'm holding up, and thanks for the⁠—"

Liam stepped into the waiting room, surgical cap still on his head, mask hanging loose around his neck.

Wynn jumped to her feet. Snagging the IV pole, she dragged it alongside her, wheels wobbling as she rushed toward Liam. "How is he?"

“He's doing good." Liam reached out and squeezed her forearm. “Surgery went better than expected. The bullet didn’t do as much damage as we feared.”

"What does that mean, exactly?"

“It missed the small bowel, so no damage there. And no major vascular injury. He lost a lot of blood, and we'll need to watch for infection, so he'll be staying here for a couple of days. He’ll hate every second of being monitored, and he’ll probably piss off half my staff by morning, but he's going to be just fine.”

Wynn pressed one hand over her mouth, covering a guttural sob.

Zadie was on one side, Neve on the other, and Scout right beside Neve. Her team. Her people. Gideon and Coulter weren't too far away, either. And if Quinn could've been here, he would be standing with her too.

This was her team. Her family.

And Darwin's. Shit. "Has anyone called his brother? His parents?"

"Sarah has," Liam said. "I hope that's okay. But we thought someone should since this made the news."

"No. That's okay." Wynn nodded. "I've never met his family. Only seen pictures. Heard stories."

"I'm sure Darwin can't wait to introduce you," Liam said. “He’s in recovery. Awake. Groggy. Very medicated. Ridiculously funny. I've never seen him like this. It's quite refreshing.”

“Can I see him?”

“Yes.” Liam glanced toward the others. “You all can, but one at a time. And not long. He needs his rest.”

"We can all see him later," Gus said. "Isn't that right, gang."

"Right," Coulter said. "But I kind of want to know what this guy means by funny, because Darwin has no sense of humor."

"Drugged-up Darwin does." Liam laughed. He took the IV pole and nodded toward the hall. “Come on. I’ll take you back.”

“I can walk.”

“I’m sure you can.” He glanced at the wheelchair she had abandoned. “Humor me anyway.”

"Fine."

Zadie wheeled the chair over, and Wynn sat, allowing Liam to push her toward recovery.

The hallway beyond the waiting room was brighter, and nurses moved with quiet purpose. A man in scrubs pushed an empty bed past them. Somewhere behind a curtain, a monitor beeped in a steady tempo.

“I’m excited to finally meet you,” Liam said as they turned the corner.