Chapter 11 : Something More

I was gripping the headrest of the seat in front of me as the car zipped through the morning traffic. Tahir was completely calm in his seat beside me. He must have been used to Ziv’s driving, but I wasn’t sure I’d ever be comfortable with this. The engine of the car hummed smoothly and filled the silence between us.

I was nervous about seeing my dad in the hospital and annoyed that I didn't know what Tahir was planning to do.

“I have to know, where did you learn to drive like this?” I asked nervously.

Ziv laughed as he steered around a tight curve in the road. “I was a professional racer,” he answered. “Up until a few years ago when I took the job working for Mr. Gujic.”

“Oh, that explains it,” I said softly. I was sure that there was a story there, but I’d have to ask Ziv about it another time. Right now, I was focused on keeping my morning coffee from coming back up.

He only slowed when we entered the hospital parking lot. He pulled us up to the drop off door and parked.

“I’ll be nearby,” Ziv noted.

“Thank you.” Tahir smiled. “Thea, I need to have a quick word with Ziv.”

I nodded as he smiled apologetically at me. I was more than happy to get out of that car and stand still for a moment.

I stepped into the warm spring air and took a few deep breaths.

I waited for Tahir to join me. He said something else to Ziv, then stepped out. I led him into the hospital and bypassed the reception desk. Dex had texted me the room number. He and Annabell had been here all night with my dad.

I felt guilty again, but I tried to push it aside. Now wasn’t the time to let my emotions get the best of me.

Tahir and I didn’t speak as we navigated the hospital halls. There was a tension that I couldn’t name in the air, but I thought Tahir was as uncomfortable as I was. Maybe he’s had his own bad experiences in hospitals.

I knocked on the door when we reached it and a moment later, Annabell opened it. Her big, brown eyes were filled with compassion as she pulled me into a tight hug.

I bent to return it and held on to her just a little longer than I needed to. She was such a comforting, calm presence and I needed some of that calm right now. I was grateful that she was here.

“How are you holding up, Thea?” she asked as she pulled away.

“I’m fine,” I stated awkwardly. “How’s Dad doing?”

Her brows creased and she looked over her shoulder. The reaction made my stomach drop. Annabell turned and walked into the room, leading Tahir and me further inside.

When my dad came into view, my heart nearly stopped. He was even more pale than he was last night. A sheen of sweat was visible on his skin and his face was twisted in a deep frown. He was muttering softly under his breath. The words were indecipherable, but aside from the beeping of machinery, they were the only sound in the room.

I wanted to reach for Tahir’s hand, but I refrained. I felt strange enough about having him here with me. I couldn’t imagine what he could do to help my dad, but he seemed so confident.

Dex was sitting beside our dad and frowned when he looked up at me. I was sure he wasn’t expecting me to bring a guest. He stood stiffly and walked towards us. He politely didn’t stare at Tahir, but I knew that he wanted to.

Tahir didn’t seem to notice. He looked at my dad with his eyes narrowed in concentration, as if he was listening intently to the gibberish he was saying.

Dex just stared at him, then took my wrist and pulled me towards the door. I followed him without protest. The tension in that room was too much and even the brief reprieve of the hallway was welcomed.

“Who is that?” Dex asked as soon as the door closed behind us.

“Tahir Gujic,” I answered automatically.

Dex stared at me expectantly, but I didn’t offer more than that. He rubbed his temple. “And why is he here?”

“He said that he could help Dad. I don’t know how, but he seemed serious…”

I let the sentence trail off. Dex was a nurse, he wasn’t going to give any weight to that.

Predictably, he was staring at me like I’ve lost it.

“Thea, why did you bring a European billionaire to our sick father’s bedside?” he asked slowly.

“Because he offered to help and I didn’t know what else to do,” I said defensively.

“How is he going to help Dad?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “He just showed up and told me that he could, and I didn’t question it. I assume that he knows something about that thing Dad picked up in the mines.”

“Like what?” Dex scoffed. “Dad’s just delirious, Thea, that has nothing to do with him getting sick. He was probably coming down with something for days before anything happened in the mine.”

“Maybe,” I admitted. “But maybe not. I don’t know, and I’m not about to turn away help just because I don’t understand it.” I was feeling defensive and it showed. Dex was giving me his patented worried stare, with his eyebrows knit tightly and the corner of his mouth drawn back in a grimace. “Don't look at me like that,” I ordered.

The expression didn’t change. “Look, it’s not my place to judge who you spend your time with,” Dex started. “I just worry about you. Call it the older brother instinct.” I scoffed, but he just kept talking. “Something about that guy feels off. Promise me you’ll be careful.”

The door behind us opened slowly and Annabell stepped out. She smiled apologetically. “I need some coffee,” she said. “Would either of you like a cup?”

“No, thank you, darling,” Dex answered. He bent and kissed Annabell on the cheek and she gave him a sleepy smile in return.

“I don’t think we’re staying long,” I answered.

She muttered an acknowledgement and walked off towards the cafeteria. Dex turned back to me and sighed. “I’m just worried.”

“I know.” I sighed back.

Twin telepathy was something we often joked about, but there was something to it that even I couldn’t deny. Dex’s concern was an unobtrusive pressure in the back of my mind that served to remind me that Tahir was a relative stranger. I was putting too much trust in him and I couldn’t rationalize why. It just felt like the right call.

Dex pulled me into a tight hug and I returned it with more force than necessary. Two minutes wasn’t much, but it did make Dex my big brother, and the comfort he could bring me in moments like this was something that not even my pride could keep me from seeking. He had a great bedside manner.

“So, are you dating that guy?” Dex asked as he pulled away from the hug.

I made a face at him. “We had one date,” I replied.

“That I interrupted.” He nodded as realization dawned on him. I’d been with Tahir when he called me last night. He must have just figured out what he’d interrupted.

I just shrugged.

“We should get back inside,” I said.

I hadn’t meant to leave Tahir in the room with my dad. He must be feeling incredibly uncomfortable. The thought seemed to occur to Dex at the same moment and he opened the door and led the way back inside.

We both stood in the doorway in shock. Dad was sleeping peacefully, his breathing steady and heavy. He wasn’t muttering anymore and the color had returned to his face. It was as if he’d never been sick in the first place.

Tahir was sitting in the chair beside the bed and staring out the window. He looked tired. He didn’t acknowledge us except to stand and step away from the bed.

Dex hurried to our dad’s side and felt his forehead. He grabbed a cloth and wiped the cold sweat from his skin. I could tell that Dex was confused, despite his gratitude. Dad seemed much better, but how was this possible?

Before I could ask Tahir what he’d done, my dad opened his eyes and smiled weakly at Dex.

“Hey, bud,” he said hoarsely.

“Hey, pop,” Dex replied. “How are you feeling?”

“Oh, I’m worlds better,” he replied. He sat up and looked around the room. A nervous smile came over his face. “I must be working too hard. I don’t remember how I got here. I’m sorry to have worried y’all.”

“You don’t remember anything?” I asked with a frown.

Dad’s face scrunched up in thought and he shook his head. “I remember leaving work with a headache. After that, nothing.”

“You were really sick,” Dex said softly. “We brought you to the hospital to get checked out. You were delirious, pop.”

“I’m sorry I spooked you,” Dad repeated. “I’m fine now. Just awfully tired. I’m sure I’ll be fit as a fiddle after a good night's rest.”

There was tension around his eyes that contradicted the casual tone he was trying to maintain. He was freaked out.

“I’m glad you’re on the mend,” I said. “You work too hard, Dad. You just rest up now so we can get you home.”

“Not sure I have a choice.” He laughed. “I’m dog-tired.” His exhaustion was clear in his face.

Dex reached for a styrofoam cup on the bedside table and held it out to Dad.

“Drink some water,” he ordered. “You’ve been feverish. You don’t want to get dehydrated.”

Dad chuckled at Dex’s tone, but he took the water and drank deeply. He handed the cup back when he was finished and lay against the pillow. He looked around the room and his eyes settled on Tahir. His brow knit in confusion.

Tahir seemed to feel the eyes on him as he turned and stepped back towards me. He had a far away expression in his eyes, but it faded quickly as he looked down at me.

“Dad,” I said, drawing his attention to me. “This is my friend, Tahir Gujic.”

“We’ve met,” he said. It was my turn to look confused. When would Dad have met Tahir?

“At the mine,” Tahir explained. “Douglas gave me a tour so that I could see where the armlet was found.”

“Oh,” I said, for lack of any other response.

Dad just stared at him in confusion. “Thanks,” he said after an awkward silence.

Tahir nodded at him meaningfully. I was confused and judging by Dex’s expression, so was he.

“We’re going to head out,” I said suddenly. “You get some rest, Dad. I’ll come by when you’re home.”

“Thanks for coming,” my dad answered. His eyes were heavy and I was sure he’d be asleep as soon as we left. He needed the rest.

That wasn’t the only reason I wanted to go though. Tahir was being suspiciously silent and I knew that he was holding something back. What the hell had he done to create such a change in my dad so quickly?

Dex just nodded at me before I turned and led Tahir out of the room.

I was grateful for whatever Tahir had done, obviously, but it didn’t stop the curiosity that was building up inside of me. Something about Tahir Gujic wasn’t normal. I had known that since the moment I first laid eyes on his photograph. I’d tried to dismiss it and explain it away, but it was impossible to ignore any longer.

I’ve never believed in the supernatural, but I was running out of logical explanations. Tahir wasn’t just an ordinary man. He was something more, and I was going to find out what.