Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“Why didn’t the room blow? I saw Orson press the remote,” I asked, picturing the scene in my head. “I heard something explode.”
Sean’s chuckle was low. “No, you heard doors being kicked in and windows being blown out around the compound. I’ll let you ask MacGyver for that information. She’s pretty proud of herself. I’m sure she’ll tell you all about it.”
“Her bubblegum ideas finally worked?” I mumbled, feeling the pull of the powerful drugs.
“She was brilliant.” He patted my shoulder. “You’ll be so proud.”
I sighed, letting sleep take me. “I already am.”
Chapter 21
Cian
The next time I opened my eyes, I wasn’t alone. There was another bed in the room, but it was empty.
Skylar was curled up in the chair beside my bed, her hand holding mine as she slumbered, her head resting on the chair back.
I studied her face, frowning at the sight of her injuries. The bruises on her face were still dark. Her mouth was swollen and sore-looking. A large bandage was on her left temple, and some of her hair had been shaved off. I could see the bandage on her neck as well, and I tensed, remembering seeing Orson pressing the blade to her throat.
She was so pale, the circles under her eyes evident even from where I was lying. One hand had an IV port in it, the skin around it dark and discolored.
She should be in bed, not napping in a chair beside mine. I lifted my head slightly, wondering where everyone was. Someone should be here to help me put her back in bed. I knew I couldn’t do it myself.
Skylar stirred and lifted her head, blinking at me. Then she smiled—that warm, shy smile she only ever gave to me.
“Hi,” she whispered, leaning closer, placing her hand on my cheek. “I’ve been waiting for you to wake up.”
“You should be in bed, Kitten.”
She shook her head. “You were too far away then.”
“I’m surprised you were allowed out.”
She smirked. “Sean and Julia are getting something to eat. They think I’m asleep, so they have no idea. I let them leave so I could come closer.”
I shifted, ignoring the pain that radiated through my shoulder and chest. Lifting the scratchy blanket, I grinned. “You aren’t close enough.”
Between her injuries and mine, it took a few minutes, but finally, she was settled beside me. Gingerly, she rested her head on my chest, making sure it didn’t hurt me. I didn’t care about the pain—I only wanted her closer. I drew the blanket over both of us, sighing at the feeling of having her beside me.
“Are you in pain?” I asked quietly.
“I’m okay, Cian. Really, I’m okay.”
“I thought I lost you, Skylar. I didn’t think we were going to get out of that room,” I confessed.
“I thought you were dead,” she said in a quiet, shaky voice. “There was so much blood, and you wouldn’t wake up.”
“Shh,” I soothed. “I’m right here. It’s over.” Awkwardly, I stroked her head. “Rest, baby. We’ll talk more when you’ve rested.”
“Don’t let me go,” she pleaded.
“Never.”
I opened my eyes to find Sean standing beside me, shaking his head. Julia stood with him, a small smile on her face.
“I arranged for her to be in your room, Cian,” he admonished me. “Not in your bed.”
“She needed to be close,” I objected. “You said she had to rest. This was the only way I could get her to sleep.”
Beside me, Skylar snorted. “This was your idea, fuckwit. Don’t get me in trouble.”
“Hush.” I looked at Sean. “She’s talking in her sleep again. She has no idea what she’s saying.”
He rolled his eyes. “I’ll put her back in her own bed before the doctor comes in and has a shit-fit.”
Skylar pushed closer, and I glared at him. “No.”
Julia slapped his arm. “Leave them be.”
“The doctor…” he grumped.
“Buy him another fucking MRI machine. I don’t care,” I mumbled. “I’m not letting her go.”
He threw up his hands. “Fine. You deal with it.”
I smirked in triumph and closed my eyes again. “Now shut it, old man. You’re disturbing us.”
“Yeah, Sean,” Skylar piped up. “We’re supposed to be resting.”
Sean groaned and Julia giggled.
“They’re so cute.”
“Yeah, so fucking cute,” he replied. “Pains in my ass too.”
I opened my eyes and caught his wink. I winked back, then allowed myself to drift off to sleep.
My family was here, Skylar was safe, and Orson was dead.
Nothing else mattered.
The next day, Skylar was down the hall, being “freshened up” with Julia when he walked in. Tall, with muscles that bulged under his T-shirt. I recognized the build but not the man. Gone were the scars, the dark eyes, and the ever-present scowl. Michael Clark was everything Rex was not. Blue eyes, with dimples so deep, it was as if divots had been carved into his cheeks, and a grin so wide and full of life, he was unrecognizable. His entire demeanor screamed easygoing, and when he spoke, his voice was deep and loud—not the raspy whisper I was used to hearing from Rex. He towered over my bed, his presence filling the room, but his handshake was gentle and his eyes warm as he inquired how I was feeling and where my little sidekick was hiding.