Lost in Silence (The Lost Series Book 1)(48)

Alice sat quietly beside me, holding my hand during the short drive. Every once in a while she looked over at me and gave my hand a squeeze, letting me know she was there. I could see the fear swimming behind her beautiful brown eyes. She was worried for me, for Missy and most of all she’s anxious to find out if this break in is tied to Erik.

We pull up to Missy’s and find the front of her house lit up with flashing blue and red. There is a fire truck blocking all passersby’s and an ambulance parked in front of it. The doors to the ambulance are open and a small group of people stands nearby. I can see Missy inside the vehicle, a blanket tucked around her, an oxygen mask on.

I slam my truck into park and jump out, barreling towards my sister. I barely hear the passenger door close and the clack of Alice’s shoes as she struggles to keep up with me. An officer attempts to step in front of me blocking my path but I swerve around him. He balks and sputters but before forming any kind of words. Kingston’s gruff voice stops him, “Paul, he’s her brother.”

The officer nods, instantly backing off but I’m already to the ambulance and Missy’s within touching distance. She’s batting away one of the paramedics, trying to remove the oxygen mask. “Seriously, I’m fine. Can you please take this off?”

“Sorry ma’am, protocol. Please just hang tight and we’ll be on our way shortly,” the paramedic who couldn’t be much older than twenty, fought to keep the mask in place. His face was flush with adrenaline. Must be a slow night, I think to myself with a smirk on my lips.

“I know what your protocol is. I’m a nurse and I already told you I’m not going to the hospital,” her voice is stern, reminding me of the woman who raised me. The paramedic doesn’t bat a lash and continues his checklist, ignoring her. “I said I’m fine, so please step back before I—”

“She said she’s fine,” I interject, the paramedic’s eyes meet mine and he pales. “Take your hands off of her.”

He does without hesitation. There is fear in his eyes but he chances a look at my sister. He's torn between duty and his fear of what I might do if he doesn’t listen.

“Hudson, stop scaring the poor boy,” Missy scowls at me. She reaches for the paramedic’s hand and pulls his attention back to her. “He’s my brother. Can you give us a moment please?”

“Are you sure you don’t want to go to the hospital? There could be internal—”

“I’m sure,” she replied, taking the oxygen mask off and handing it to him “It’s just a few bumps and bruises. I got knocked over, that’s all.”

“Knocked over?” I ask and the sound of my voice echoes between the vehicles around us. “You were in the house?”

“Of course I was, it’s one in the morning Hudson. I was in bed, asleep,” she shoots me a guarded look before her eyes dart next to me. “Alice, sweetheart, I’m sorry to ruin your evening.”

Alice nods, and begins to scribble on her pad of paper. I forgot she was with me for a moment. She tears the page and passes it to Missy, her fingers start to dance instantly. I reach for her hand, grasping in it mine, trying to give her comfort.

“I’m fine Alice,” Missy's voice is thick and her eyes are filled with adoration. My sister's too versed in what lying does to someone, so I know to trust her when she says she’s fine. “No, I didn’t see what the intruder looked like. It was dark.”

I look over at Alice. Her brow furrows as she studies Missy. I squeeze her hand reassuringly and pull her in close to me. Her eyes meet mine, questioning me. I give her a small smile, lean down and press a kiss to her brow. She’s playing detective and I think it's cute. I swallow hard before looking away, realizing what I just did. My sister catches my attention with a warm smile and observant eyes. I shrug. I couldn’t help myself, honestly, the action felt natural like I had been doing it for years.

“Is your sister giving you anymore details than what she provided the police with?” Kingston’s large frame sidles up beside Alice. His arms are crossed and his large frame is tense. He watches Missy like a hawk.

“Just that she didn’t see the attacker,” I answer, watching the exchange between Missy and King. She looks away, studies her fingers for a moment before throwing them up. He looks like he wants to scoop her up and carry her off.

“I already told you King, I was asleep. I heard a loud noise, thought it was Alice coming in. I went downstairs to investigate, barely made it into the living room before someone came barreling out of the kitchen, knocking me down in the process,” she crosses her arms, exasperated with him. “What else would you like to know?”