Chapter Twenty Four

Ryder POV:

The next day, Lana still hadn't woken up. Samuel had barely been able to look at his daughter without having a panic attack. When he saw her for the first time lying in the bed, he broke down, begging for her forgiveness. I hated seeing my friend this way.

"Is she gonna be okay?" Sarah asked weakly as she looked down at her sister. "Doc said she should be. Her body needs the rest." I told her.

I was silently hoping that I wouldn't be wrong. I did have the small doubt that she would wake up any time soon but I tried my damnedest to push the doubt in the back of my mind.

Sarah had been given permission to enter her sister's room that morning. She was carrying her IV pole around with her. She had barely left Lana's side the entire day.

I hadn't slept at all the night before. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Lana laying nearly lifeless in my arms.

"Don't leave me here, baby. I need you." I whispered quietly.

Lana POV:

The sound of the monitor is what brought me back to reality.

I heard the voices of my family throughout the entire night.

From my father begging for my forgiveness, to Ryder whispering that he needed me in my ear.

Those words from the men that had caused me pain but also great joy is what made me fight harder.

I felt numerous people around me, touching me.

"Why the hell does everyone keep touching me?" I asked weakly.

"Sissy!" I heard Sarah scream.

"Bitch, I'm hurt, not deaf." I hissed at her as I opened my eyes.

The light was overwhelming for a moment. I had to squint in order for my eyes to adjust.

"Hey, darlin'. How do you feel?" My dad asked as he walked over to my side.

"I've been better, but I can manage." I said, smiling softly at him.

I looked around and noticed Ryder wasn't in the room.

Sarah, knowing what I was thinking, spoke up.

"He'll be back soon. Dad made him go home and get some rest." She said with a reassuring smile. I smiled back at her.

True to her word, Ryder walked in about an hour later.

"You're awake!" He exclaimed with a huge smile.

He didn't think about all the others in the room as he quickly walked up to me and kissed me hard on the lips.

"How do you feel, baby?" Ryder asked, softly. "I'm okay. They have me on some pain killers."

"Uh.. What's going on?" Dad asked. Dad had no idea that I was seeing Ryder and that Sarah was seeing Kade.

Ryder then turned to him with guilt all over his face.

"Lana and I have been seeing each other for the past couple of weeks, boss. I'm so sorry we didn't tell you." He said.

"Why didn't you?" Dad asked.

"We were afraid you wouldn't approve." I replied.

"Approve?" He laughed. "You kids don't know me very well do you? I'd rather it be, Ryder, someone I know I can trust with your life, than someone else." He continued.

"Wait... For real?" Sarah asked. "Well, hell, I guess there is no reason for us to keep our secret then." Kade explained.

"You two? Good God, I must be a blind old man." Dad laughed. "You two take care of my girls. I am disappointed, however, that you didn't tell me sooner."

"Sorry, boss." Kade and Ryder replied in unision.

"When do we get to go home?" I asked. "I'm being released tomorrow. The doctor hasn't told us when you will, yet." Sarah replied.

I suddenly remembered what Adam had told me.

"Dad... I need to ask you something." I said. "Okay." Dad replied.

"Who was Veronica Harrison?"

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