Her Silent Revenge novel Chapter 127

"He's doing better," she says. "The doctor wants to keep him over the next few days for observation, but after that, he should be free to head home."

I don't bother hiding my relief, the way my lungs heave with the weight of the world coming out.

He'll be okay.

My son will come out of this, alive and well without any serious damage.

That also clears the way for me to track Evelyn Hibbing to the ends of the Earth and drag her into handcuffs.

As I head into the room, just like I did yesterday before everything came to a head, I find Arlo and Salem asleep. She's curled up on one of those uncomfortable chairs, one leg tucked under her and the other wrapped around the chair leg.

In her sleep, she doesn't look angry or bitter or afraid.

She looks more worn than the nurses and almost as pale as poor little Arlo. Her mouth is parted and it makes her look almost obscenely vulnerable.

Even though everything we said to each other echoes in the space around us like a stray bullet, I want to hold her. I want to banish the hurt on her face, lingering in her long eyelashes and the dark arches under her eyes.

You don't have to run anymore, Salem. Goddammit, trust me.

But I don't say anything out loud.

I'm quiet so I don't wake her, pulling up another chair by Arlo's side. By the time I turn my attention to him, I notice he's awake, his eyes half- open as he looks at me. The tube in his nose must itch like mad. He tries to scratch.

"Easy, buddy," I whisper, leaning forward to take his hand. It's small and chubby, and I'm grateful it still feels healthy enough, too. "How are you doing?"

"Patman… what happened?" He groans, glancing at his mother and back to me. "Where am I? I feel funny."

"You'll get better soon. I spoke to the doctor and he's really impressed. You're a strong kid and you'll be out of here soon." I lean forward, gently squeezing his fingers. "You had a little mishap with some food, but that's over now. Your mom brought you in so you could get some help. I came to tell you about your superpower."

"Superpower?" His eyes light up.

"Yeah. You're braver than ten men combined. Basically a little lion. You just woke up and you're not afraid of anything." I smile hopefully.

His smile turns into a grin. "Brave like you? Like General Patton?" I wince a little inside, but he's too damn cute and groggy to correct.

"Exactly like that. Guys who drive tanks for a living don't have half your courage."

"Wow!" He nods, satisfied, resting his head back on the pillow. "I miss my tablet," he mumbles.

His eyes light up, making him the most animated I've seen him so far today. "Like the beach? Do you think there will be dino shells?"

"Dino shells?"

"Like from dinosaurs."

"Oh, you mean fossils?" I used to love dinosaurs when I was his age. Knowing Arlo loves them too makes me smile wider. "Sure. In fact, I bet I can bring you a dino shell soon. I can find you some real seashells too. How does that sound?"

"Awesome." He yawns heavily.

This isn't the time or place to tell Arlo I'm his dad, even though he's still holding my hand like it's the most natural thing in the world. I've held Colt's hand a few times over the years, mostly when he was younger, but this feels different.

The kind of right that only comes from your own flesh and blood.

Shit, I need to leave before I lose it, and before I change my mind about leaving at all.

Salem can take it from here as soon as she wakes up. I'm certain she'll do a better job of looking after Arlo than I can. She's been there for so many years.