Colters' Gift (Colters' Legacy #5)(88)

Noah and Liam glanced toward the bed and then left Max. They took either side, both reaching for her hands. Liam brought her fingers to his lips. They were so cold.

He blew his breath over the tips to warm them and then captured her hand between his palms, rubbing to generate heat. Then he lowered himself to put him in the path of her sight.

“Lauren, baby, can you hear me?”

He waited a moment, and when she didn’t so much as blink, he brushed his hand across her forehead and trailed his fingers down the curve of her cheek. He followed his hand with his mouth and inhaled her scent as he pressed his lips to her temple.

“We’re here, honey,” Noah said, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotion. “You’re safe now. That bastard can’t ever hurt you again.”

Her eyes flickered and slowly she turned her head so she focused on Noah.

“Is he dead?” she whispered.

Joy and hope exploded in Liam’s mind. He gripped her hand tighter, his urge to pull her into his arms overwhelming.

“Yes,” Liam said with savagery.

“Good.”

The simple word conveyed a wealth of relief.

“How are you?” Noah asked. “Are you hurting? Did he . . .”

He didn’t finish because Lauren flinched and looked away, her body immediately tense. Liam wanted to put his fist through the wall. He and Noah exchanged fierce glances even as they tried to maintain their composure.

“My ribs,” she said faintly. “I think I must have broken some in the accident. Hurts.”

Noah turned toward the door where the others were standing. “Get the doctor in here. Or a nurse. Someone who can tell us what her condition is.”

“On it,” Dillon said before disappearing.

“Listen to me,” Liam said in a low voice, his head close to hers. “I want you to rest and focus on feeling better and the fact that Noah and I love you. Joel Knight can never hurt you again. You’re free.”

Her eyes filled with tears and it nearly broke his heart right in two. They tracked down her cheeks in silver streams as she stared sightlessly toward the ceiling.

“I want to go home,” she choked out.

“We’ll take you home,” Noah promised. “As soon as the doctor says it’s safe for you to travel, we’ll take you back home.”

Even as Noah made the quiet vow, Liam knew that it was the right thing to say. Whatever sacrifices he and Noah had to make to ensure Lauren’s happiness was worth it. She belonged in Colorado with her family and the two men who loved her surrounding her. She needed them all. Now, more than ever.

Somehow he and Noah would have to make it work. Love was about sacrifices, and Liam would sacrifice anything and everything to be with Lauren and to see her smile again.

Chapter 41

WHEN the nurse came in, Liam told her that Lauren was in pain, and as the nurse administered the pain medication, Lauren drifted off, her eyelids fluttering closed.

Her lashes were dark against her cheeks and bruises shadowed her beautiful face. As Noah stood there staring down at her, he was struck by the enormity of what she’d survived and escaped.

He knew there was more. He knew she’d endured the worst, but he was so goddamn relieved to have her back that he was weak with it.

“The doctor will meet you outside,” the nurse said in a quiet tone. “He’ll be able to give you the X-ray results as well as tell you how long she needs to remain in the hospital.”

“Thank you,” Noah said.

He leaned down to press his lips against her forehead and closed his eyes for a long moment.

“I love you,” he said against her skin. “I love you so goddamn much. We’ll get through this, sweetheart. I swear there’s nothing we can’t beat together.”

She sighed and turned her face upward as if seeking the comfort of his voice. He ran his fingertips over the delicate lines of her face before finally retreating.

Liam waited at the door and when the two men stepped out, the doctor walked down the hall toward them. His step was brisk, and he stopped in front of the group of men, his gaze sweeping over them.

“Which of you are Miss Wilder’s family?” the doctor asked.

Every single man spoke up.

The doctor cleared his throat and glanced skeptically at the assembled group.

“We’re her family,” Adam said in a grave tone. “We’re her fathers and brothers.”

Max nodded his agreement.

“How is she?” Noah blurted, no longer able to be patient. “When can she go home? She’s been asking.”

The doctor sighed. “I see all manner of things through this emergency room. Some you wouldn’t believe. One would think as often as I see the results of violence that I would be immune to it. And yet it still pisses me off every single time a woman comes through these doors because some bastard used her for a punching bag.”

The others simmered and seethed, their anger a tangible thing that hovered over them like a cloud.

“She fractured two lower ribs and has extensive bruising in that area, whether from the car accident or from abuse. It’s hard to say, and it’s likely that it’s from both.”

He paused a moment before continuing.

“Considering what she’s been through, her physical condition is better than I would have expected. Quite frankly, it’s her mental state that has me the most concerned and why I’m hesitant to release her from the hospital.”