Reaux had been in emergency rooms before to interview victims. He was aware of the severe smells of antiseptic that always wafted throughout the building. Most situations were simply asking questions to start his investigation. None of it ever pertained to him. He had to be professional and not let his anger or sadness get in the way.
This time however was different. This time his whole heart was here.
Having heard the news from his captain, Reaux had left the station in search of his injured mate. There was only one hospital the ambulance would take Jak Olson to because of his status and his injuries. It had the best staff and surgical suites, but he hoped it didn't come to that.
He walked into the emergency room with his head as high as he could hold it. The place was busy with people waiting to see the doctors. Some had lacerations, others broken bones, and even more severe injuries too gruesome to think about. He hoped they would already be saved when they saw the doctor. Emergent cases were taken straight through, meaning if an ambulance brought a car accident victim they were the main priority.
"Excuse me." He walked up to the reception desk. The nurse looked up. "I'm looking for Jak Olson."
"May I ask your relation to the patient?" she asked.
He didn't hesitate. "I'm his mate."
The nurse didn't bat an eye as she typed the name into the computer. "He's been rushed to surgery. The surgical suites are on the fourth floor. I'll call ahead so they know you're coming."
Reaux thanked herand walked towards the elevator. His legs felt like jelly as he waited to go up. When he got on, he sagged into the corner and counted the minutes until he arrived. How could this happen? Things were going well, and suddenly this happened. What was so wrong that they couldn't be happy?
He stepped off the elevator and followed the signs to the surgical suite. The nurse on duty smiled at him and showed him to the waiting room. The doctor or head nurse would update him when they could. She even brought him some coffee before going back to her post.
Reaux stared at the steaming liquid as his mind raced a million miles an hour. Why hadn't he stayed on the phone with Jak? Why had he let him hang up before getting safely in the cab? What had he been doing? How had he ended up being in an accident?
He was beating himself up for not being around when Jak needed him. He knew he shouldn't because it was an accident, but something bothered him about it. Call it his detective instincts, but something didn't add up. Jak wasn't stupid enough to walk out into the street like that. He'd been taught better.
He heard talking down the hall and looked up in time for a lady in green scrubs, a mask, and cap to walk towards him. He set his cup down and stood. She removed her mask and smiled, extending her hand. He shook it stiffly.
"I'm Dr. Green, neurosurgeon assisting on Jak Olson's surgery. Are you Reaux Grant?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am. I'm Reaux. N… neurosurgeon?" he repeated. His voice shook even though he tried to keep it from doing so. "Why does he need a neurosurgeon?"
"Please sit down, Mr. Grant."
"Reaux. Please call me Reaux." He sat down and picked up his cup to have something in his hands. "What is it?"
"Mr. Olson was brought in with traumatic injuries. Several broken bones and multiple abrasions, but the most life threatening ones were internal. He was rushed to surgery where it was discovered he had some internal bleeding from a nicked artery and a lacerated liver," she explained.
Reaux nodded. "That should only take a general surgeon. Why does he need a neurosurgeon?"
"He was hit by a car. Witnesses say he hit the hood, rolled over the roof, and bounced off the trunk. No one was clear if he hit his head on the car or asphalt, but he has a fractured sinus cavity and skull. He has bleeding on the brain from it as well. Once the general surgeon completes his surgery, I'll go in to relieve the pressure, but there's a chance he might not make it. His injuries may be too severe."
He felt the first tear roll down his cheeks as his lips quivered. Dr. Green put her hand over his and rubbed his thumb over his. To think he may lose Jak sent grief spiraling down into the pit of his stomach.
"He, uh…" He raised a hand to wipe his eyes. "His parents are out of town. I'll see if I can call them. They'll want to know."
"Very well. One of Dr. Crenshaw's staff will update you when his surgery is finished. I'll scrub in soon and try to relieve the pressure on his brain."
"Thanks, doctor."
Dr. Green left him, and Reaux sat back to collect his thoughts and emotions. He hadn't realized how bad off Jak really was. Just this morning he was agaonizing over a final. Now he ws fighting for his life as doctor's tended to the injuries from an accident. Life was not fair.
The nice nurse told him the room Jak would be taken to after surgery. She said he could go there and wait. Reaux figured they took pity on him and gave Jak a room so Reaux could be as emotional as needed to be. They had seen so many people lose it in their hallways that they knew even a small hospital room could make the world a difference.
His phone rang. He didn't want to answer it, but it was Tiffany. She would storm the halls looking for him, causing a scene as she went. Then she'd beat him until he couldn't see straight.
"Hey, Tiff," he said. He knew he sounded awful but he couldn't bring himself to be happy.
"Where are you?" she demanded.
"Room 417. Take a right when you get off the elevator." She hung up before he could say anything. It was a good thing because it gave him time to rein in his emotions.
He got up and ventured out of the room. The elevator opened just as he walked in front of it. A blond head slammed into his chest. Alana buried her face in his clothes as hot tears seeped into his shirt. He heard her sob twice before the sound became muffled.
Reaux wrapped her up and buried his face in her soft hair. Jak's only sister - hell, his only sibling - felt the same as he did. A part of them was missing, and he was laid up in a surgical suite as a team of doctos tried to save his life. Here they were trying to make it through without any other knowledge than they were trying.
She lifted her head to look at him with the same big, blue eyes Jak looked at him with. Reaux lifted a hand to wipe her tears that stained her cheeks and made them slightly puffy. She sniffled and rested her cheek on his shoulder. He held her close to him, hand tangled in her hair.
"I picked her up on the way," Tiffany said.
"I'm glad you did." He rubbed Alana's back as he tilted his head down. "Someone needs to call your parents."
Alana wiped her tears then stepped back. "I'll call them once you tell me what's going on."
Reaux did. He told her everything he knew. He watched as her face fell more with each word he spoke. He understood those emotions. It was more painful when you couldn't do anything while your loved one struggled.
When he was finished, Alana pulled out her phone and disappeared. Reaux watched her small frame until she disappeared into the stairwell. No one needed to hear that call. She would be a blubbering mess while she talked to her parents. Also she was close enough in case something happened. Being an Omega and distraught could mean disaster. With the way Reaux felt right now, he'd rip someone apart if they dared harm her.
Reaux leaned against the wall and exhaled heavily. Tiffany stared at the stairwell door as she gave him time to collect himself. She knew how deeply this affected him, and whatever info she had could wait two minutes for him to somewhat be her beloved partner.
"What do you know?" he asked.
"Williams down in homicide pulled the traffic cameras," she said.
Anger coursed through him. "He's not dead!"
She looked at him, unafraid of his outburst. "No, he's not, but because of witness statements, it was passed to homicide. Williams and Foreman ended up with it, and Williams pulled the traffic cams." She pulled out her phone and pulled up several messages from Williams. "Who do you see?"
Reaux scrolled through the photos. His anger and distress mixed together, and he fought the urge to lash out. If he did, he would have everyone on the whole floor on their knees.
He saw frame by frame as Dante and another guy cornered Jak. he could only imagine what was being said, but Jak's face said he wasn't amused. He tried to walk away, and the traffic cam caught when Dante kissed him. Reaux's hackles were raised as he watched the fram slowly move. Jak subdued Dante only to have his friend attack him. Jak defended himself, and Reaux saw in slow motion as he was tackled into the street.
The photos ended with Jak being hit by the car. Reaux couldn't look anymore so he gave the phone to Tiffany. The screenshots showed everything, and that's what made it worse. They knew how it'd happened and part of why. But Reaux wanted to hear it from the horse's mouth.
The saying goes "Speak of the devil and he shall appear." The elevator door opened with a ding, and Tay stepped out. He was followed by Dante. Rage coursed through Reaux's veins, but Tiffany stepped in front of him. If he wanted to get to Dante, he'd have to go through her first. She knew damn well he wouldn't.
"He is he?" Tay asked.
"He's still in surgery," Tiffany answered. The young Alpha frowned and tilted his head at her answer. It wasn't the fact that it was her answer, but the fact that she was answering. "Dante, why don't you tell me what happened?"
The younger man's face contorted, and Reaux saw as he tried to get his answer straight in his head. Beside him, Tay's anger was starting to boil. A light flush started at his neck and stole over his face. Dante wasn't going to get out of this unscathed if he didn't watch what he said. Tay didn't play around too much with his friends.
"We were talking, and he fell into the street," Dante lied. And everyone knew it.
"Are you sure that's the story you're going to stick with?" Reaux asked.
Dante met his gaze defiantly. He sucked in his cheeks and his nostrils flared. He was oging to stick with whatever shit he'd concocted in his head. That pissed Reaux off more. If he admitted to it, he'd be angry but not ready to kill. If he said it was an accident, he could talk to him.
But this asshole was so used to lying that he probably didn't know how to tell the truth. Once Jak came out of surgery and was on the mend, Reaux would take great pleasure in helping narcotics nail his ass to the wall.
"So it was an accident that your friend attacked him?" Tiffany asked. Dante's face wavered. She never looked away from him. "I have on good authority that your friend tackled him into the street. Jak fought back and when he stood, he was hit by that car. Is that correct?"
As entertaining as it was to watch Dante try to figure out his next move, Reaux knew there was about to be an explosion. Tay's face had turned purple, mottling right before them. He met Reaux's gaze and held it, a silent understanding passing between them. There was no dominance game or fear. They were united under one cause.
Tiffany was as fierce as a bloodhound on a scent. She didn't let things go easily, and she wasn't about to let Dante slip through her fingers. She stared at him until he started to fidget. She took great delight in being able to unnerve someone she was questioning. She didn't have to be an Alpha to do it. All she had to do was stare at them.
"I have no idea why he attacked Jak," Dante said. He realized he was talking to a Beta and lifted his head. He thought it was going to do him something to tout his rank.
She hummed at him then got on her phone. When she found what she was looking for, she held it out for everyone to see. "Then why are you kissing him?"
Out of nowhere, Dante landed on his hip. Tay held Alana back by the waist as the waif of an Omega stood over the Alpha. They had never seen Alana so angry, but no one had ever messed with Jak. He was her favorite person, and this person had something to do with his accident. If there was anything she could do to help figure this out, she would do it.
"Why?!" she yelled. It wasn't loud enough to hear clear down the hall at the nurse's station, but she meant business. "Why do you have to destroy a family?"
"What do you know?" Dante snapped back. He jumped up and got in her face. "You're just a petty Omega."
"This petty Omega is Jak's younger sister," Tiffany said. Dante's eyes widened. "But that was something you didn't know. For all your research, you failed to figure out what Jak was all about."
"This is bullshit!" Tiffany pulled Alana to her as Dante stalked towards Reaux. Tay stepped in front of him, and they came chest to chest. "I wanted Jak, and I would have had him if you had stayed away, but no! You had to claim him out from under me when he's mine!"
Tay pushed him back when he tried to go around him. Dante cursed and shoved him in return. The older Alpha stared him down, but the younger was just stupid. He bulked up to Tay.
"What are you going to do? Huh? That's what I thought." When Tay didn't immediately react, he turned his back to him. Which was a mistake.
Tay looked over his shoulder to look at Reaux then licked his lips. The detective stalled a bit before nodding his head. He held his hand out, giving him permission to do what he wanted.
He grabbed Dante by the shoulder and spun him around. Then he clocked him hard in the jaw.