Burn (Breathless #3)(101)

“Who were they?” she whispered. “Why did they do this? Why do they hate you and Gabe and Jace?”

He closed his eyes and then leaned down, touching his forehead to hers. “Let’s not talk about this right now, darling. I don’t want to upset you. I’d rather talk about how much I love you and what I’m going to do to pamper you and spoil you while you recover.”

She had to ask another question, had to know where they stood and if she’d screwed up any chance of them being together.

“Are we back together?”

He smiled. So sweet and tender it warmed her to her toes and took away some of the overwhelming pain. Relief shone in his eyes.

“Bet your ass we are.”

Her own shoulders sagged in relief. “I’m glad,” she said softly.

“God, baby, it’s torture being so close to you and unable to hold you and kiss you the way I want.”

“I’m just glad you’re here.”

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

She closed her eyes as fatigue and the pain grew stronger. It was becoming overwhelming and she had so many questions. She needed answers. She needed to know exactly how serious her injuries were. For that matter she didn’t even know exactly what they were.

“The nurse is here, darling. Bear with me a few more seconds and the pain will be gone.”

“Talk to me,” she begged. “I just want to hear your voice. Stay here and tell me what happened and how bad it is. I need to know.”

He wiped a hand over her forehead as the nurse injected pain medication into her IV. She felt the slight burn travel up her arm and then, right on its heels, blessed relief. A feeling of euphoria enveloped her. She felt light and floaty like she was on a cloud. The ceiling suddenly seemed right on top of her and she gasped.

“Okay?” Ash asked in concern.

“’Kay.”

He went silent and her eyes fluttered open in panic as she tried to see where he’d gone.

“I’m right here, darling. Not going anywhere. I promise.”

“Talk to me,” she said again, woozy and sleepy. But she didn’t want to go to sleep. Not yet.

He kissed her brow. “Give me just a second, baby. I want to talk to the nurse about you but I’ll be right back. Can you stay awake for me?”

“Uh-huh.”

She felt him move away and she was suddenly cold. She hated that feeling. Fear and panic seeped all the way to her bones. Her lips chattered but they were so swollen that it felt weird, like they were ten times their size.

Or maybe it was just the medication.

Why did it hurt so bad to breathe? It was then she became aware of the oxygen blowing through her nostrils. Her chest was so tight and her muscles ached from head to toe.

Had they wanted to kill her? But no, that couldn’t be the case. They’d given her a message to give to Ash. Had she given it to him?

Panic flared all over again. She had to tell him! Mia and Bethany were in danger, and she’d never forgive herself if they were hurt because she hadn’t warned Gabe and Jace.

“Ash,” she called out as loudly as she could.

“Right here, baby. What’s wrong? You need to slow down your breathing. You’re going too fast. Can you do that for me?”

She sucked in a deep breath and tried to steady herself. The pressure building in her chest was intense. She dragged in another breath, blew it out and then tried again.

“What is it, Josie? What are you afraid of?”

“Mia. Bethany,” she croaked out. “He’ll hurt them like he hurt me. Have to tell Gabe and Jace.”

“Already done,” he soothed. “You told us. Gabe and Jace are making sure that Mia and Bethany are safe. You don’t have to worry about them. I’ve taken care of Britt too. You’ll be happy to know that Kai has her under lock and key.”

She tried to smile. She may have even managed half of one judging by Ash’s look of delight.

Then she sobered because the big question remained unanswered. And she was getting groggier and groggier. It was getting harder to stay awake. She wanted nothing more than to drift off into oblivion where there was no pain, no worries. Nothing but a black void of nothing.

“Why?”

Ash sighed. Didn’t even try to misunderstand her.

“They hurt you because of me,” he said, pain thick in his voice. “Because of the business. Me, Gabe and Jace. He’s an ass**le who hurt Mia before. I didn’t know it, but he and Gabe have history. He was retaliating because we shut him down and refused to do business with him. It’s not going to happen again, Josie. I swear to you it won’t.”

The resoluteness of his words worried Josie. It was the same matter of fact way he’d spoken of Michael and the fact that Michael would no longer be an issue.

“What did you do?” she whispered.

“Nothing you need to worry about,” he said as he brushed another kiss across her forehead.

She frowned, her eyes half-closed already. She struggled to remain awake and focused.

“That’s not an answer,” she slurred out.

“It is,” he insisted. “I don’t want you to worry about anything but getting better. This doesn’t touch you, Josie. It never will.”

“Don’t want to lose you,” she whispered.