Burn (Breathless #3)(100)

“Jesus,” he whispered.

It gutted him that she was lying in a hospital bed all because some ass**le had an ax to grind with him and Gabe and Jace. He went to her bedside and tentatively reached out a hand to stroke her forehead. He smoothed her hair back and then leaned down to brush his lips across her brow.

“I love you,” he murmured. “I’m here. With you, just like I said I’d be. I’ll always be here, Josie. You and me are forever, baby. Not letting go of that.”

She lay perfectly still, the only sound the low hum of the machine that made oxygen flow through the mask over her face and the steady beeping of the heart monitor. She looked so fragile, bruised and swollen. The blood had been cleaned away, but the dark purpling of the bruises was already vivid against her pale skin.

He touched her neck where the collar he’d given her had rested. It looked bare. He wanted that collar back around her neck. Wanted his ring on her finger and her promise to marry him. He wanted to tie her to him in ways she’d never escape. But they’d be the most loving, silken ties in the world.

He’d pamper her, cherish her, adore her every single day of his life.

He stood at her bedside for two hours, only moving when one of the nurses came in to check on her. And then finally, they came to move her to ICU.

To his frustration they told him it would be a while before he was allowed back to see her. But that was okay because he had the problem of Charles Willis to take care of. The sooner he was out of the picture, the sooner they could all relax and not worry that Mia or Bethany would be next.

After updating Gabe, Jace, Mia and Bethany on Josie’s condition and exacting a promise from them to stay with Josie until he returned, he strode out of the hospital, determined to seek vengeance on the bastard who’d put Josie there.

Chapter thirty-three

Pain. It came to her piercing like a nail being driven into her head by a hammer. She hurt everywhere. It hurt to breathe. It hurt to open her eyes.

There were voices, or at least one voice. It was hard to tell because there was a roaring in her ears she couldn’t make go away.

And then a warm, gentle hand on her forehead. A kiss. Sweet, soft words whispered over her skin. She gave a little sigh and promptly regretted it because pain speared through her chest.

“H-hurts,” she said in a pitiful voice that she wasn’t even sure was actually audible.

“I know it does, baby. The nurse is coming to give you something for pain.”

“Ash?” she whispered.

“Yes, darling, it’s me. Open those pretty eyes and you’ll see me right here.”

She tried. She really did. But her eyes wouldn’t cooperate and it hurt to try and force the issue.

“Can’t,” she managed to get past stiff, swollen lips.

Again he pressed his lips to her brow and she felt his hand in her hair. That felt nice. The only part of her that wasn’t hurting.

“It’s okay,” he soothed. “Don’t try too hard. Just know that I’m with you and you’re going to be all right.”

But still, she wanted to see him. Wanted to make sure her imagination wasn’t playing nasty tricks on her. So she braced herself against the pain and tried harder. A small sliver of light seared her eyeballs and she promptly shut her eyes again. She lay there, nearly panting with exertion and the agony such a small movement had caused. Then she tried again, this time prepared for the light.

At first all she saw was a blurry haze. And then he moved into her line of vision.

“Hey, gorgeous,” he said softly.

She tried to smile, but that hurt too, so she just lay there slowly blinking to bring him into sharper focus.

“Hi,” she returned just as quietly.

To her utter shock, his eyes were glossy with moisture and he looked like hell. He hadn’t shaved, his hair was rumpled and his clothes looked like he’d slept in them.

She licked her lips and moaned softly. “W-what happened to me?”

Ash frowned, his eyes going dark. “You don’t remember?”

She concentrated hard but it was all a blur. “How long?”

He touched her hair, his expression worried. “How long what, love?”

“Have I been here.”

“Two days,” he said.

Her eyes widened in surprise despite the discomfort it caused her. “Two days?”

“Yes, baby. You’ve been in ICU for two days. Gave us quite a scare.”

“Am I going to be okay?”

It was a question she was afraid to ask but she had to know. She wouldn’t hurt this much if it wasn’t bad.

His face softened, his eyes going warm and loving. “You’re going to be fine. I won’t allow any other possibility.”

“Sorry,” she said with a sigh.

His head came back in surprise. “What the hell are you sorry for?”

“I overreacted,” she said. “I shouldn’t have done it. I’m sorry. I was going to call you but then . . .”

And it was then she remembered everything that had happened. She sucked in her breath at the impact the memories had. Her terror, her pain, the worry that she was going to die. Tears welled, burning her eyes.

“Oh, baby,” he said in an aching voice. “Don’t cry. And don’t apologize. You have nothing to be sorry for. Nothing at all.”