Page 79 of Under Fire

“Yeah, I’m okay.”

“Stonewall swore me to secrecy about his early arrival,” Quasar said, coming into the room.

Locke rolled his eyes. “When have you ever done what Stonewall told you to do?”

Quasar chuckled. “I’ve mellowed in my old age. A wife and son will do that to you.” He looked at Karl and Nyla. “If you want to go to the hospital to see your mother, let’s ride. You have two of the best bodyguards Summers Security Firm employs protecting your backs.”

Locke chuckled. “I bet you won’t say that around Striker.”

Quasar laughed. “You’re right. I won’t.”

***

The hospital entrance was swarming with reporters. News had spread quickly about the arrests and the corruption discovered in the local police force, the FBI, and the wealthy Roker family spanning four states. Prosecutor Irvin, Locke and Hollis, the detectives, and FBI Agents had scheduled a press conference in the morning.

Ignoring the reporters’ questions and the flashing cameras, everyone managed to get through the crowd with Stonewall and Quasar’s help. Nyla was used to being in the public eye. Karl was not, and the annoyance in his features was obvious.

Once they made it to ICU where Darlene Roker was located, Locke and Hollis remained in the waiting room with Stonewall and Quasar while Nyla visited her mother with Karl by her side. “I’m glad her mother is okay,” Hollis said to Locke. “She has a lot to deal with, and I’m glad Karl will be there with her all the way.”

“I’m glad, too.”

***

Karl and Nyla entered her mother’s hospital room and saw her father sitting beside the bed, holding her mother’s hand. “Dad?”

Walter Roker looked up, and Nyla thought he appeared to have aged twenty years. He loved his sister, and she knew Aunt Kat’s betrayal had taken a toll on him. Then his wife was fighting for her life from a bullet that had been meant for him.

He stood and pulled his daughter into his arms. “Thanks for coming, Nyla.”

“Did you think I wouldn’t? I love you and Mom. I just resent you not letting me love the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

Her father nodded and then looked at Karl and said, “Thank you for coming as well. I appreciate it.”

Nyla heard the sincerity in her father’s voice. It would take time, but she hoped Karl could one day forgive her parents for how they had treated him. She knew Aunt Kat hadn’t been the only person to disappoint Walter Roker today. On the drive to the hospital, Hollis and Locke had told them about Michael’s role in her aunt’s organization, and that he had also been one of those arrested.

“I’m going downstairs to the sandwich shop and grab a cup of coffee. Would anybody like one?” Karl asked.

Nyla knew what her fiancé was doing. He had found an excuse to give her and her parents time together without him. She knew with Karl’s protective nature, such a thing wouldn’t happen too often. “No, sweetheart, I’m fine. What about you, Dad?”

“No, I’m fine, too. Thanks for asking, Karl.”

Karl nodded and walked out of the room. Walter Roker watched him leave. “I was so wrong in interfering in your relationship with him.”

“Yes, you were, Dad.”

“Will you forgive me?”

“Yes, I will, but I can’t speak for Karl. When you hurt me, you hurt him. When you hurt him, you hurt me. We are one. Always remember that.”

He nodded and glanced over to the bed where her mother was sleeping. “I forgot what it was like to be one with a person. Your mother risked her life to save mine. She jumped in front of me. To protect me.”

“That’s what I heard.”

He nodded. “That’s a lot of love, Nyla.”

“Yes, it is.”

“I never realized how much I loved her until today.”