Angel Falling (Falling #1)(2)

“So pretty,” I mumbled through dry lips.

She smiled, and I closed my eyes knowing that I couldn’t look at God’s angel any longer or I’d get lost in her beauty and willingly leave this earthly plane. Sirens blared in the background, but my angel held me, speaking softly. “It’s going to be okay. You saved me. You’re going to make it, just hold very still.”

I risked opening one eye for a split second and what I saw almost broke me. Those beautiful blue eyes weren’t serene. They were choppy, ragged waters that swirled with fear.

It started to rain. Big fat wet droplets landed on my face. Only the droplets weren’t rain, they were her tears.

“You saved me,” she whispered against my forehead, her lips moist and soft. I wanted to say something to her. Introduce myself in some small way before she was taken away from me. Tell her my name was Hank and that I thought she was beautiful, but the words didn’t come. Wouldn’t come. Breathing alone took all my effort.

I felt arms all around me, lifting me up and placing me onto something soft. A cloud perhaps. My angel was pulled away. Time seemed to slow and ebb. So much was happening around me, but I couldn’t focus on any of it. Pain controlled my attention and I succumbed to its sickening grip with a guttural howl.

“I’m coming with you!” tore from her throat as bodies moved around and harsh words were exchanged. “This is my building and he, he … he saved my life! I owe him everything!” My angel hollered at the people who tugged and pulled at my face, my chest, pressing me deeper into the cloud. For a brief moment I felt happy someone cared. No, not someone — her.

I couldn’t feel anymore. My eyes were heavy and I blindly reached out my hand. An icy, feather-soft hand closed around mine, taking away my anxiety.

“I’m here. I’m here. Just let them take care of you.” Her voice was smooth and sweet like a melody. Then blackness enveloped me.

***

I couldn’t imagine what was taking so long! It had been hours — hours — since the man who risked everything went into surgery. Please God, please let him be okay. He saved my life. A stranger saved my life. I pulled out my phone and called my assistant Oliver.

“Aspen, where are you?” he rattled off quickly without a greeting. “Something happened today at the building. A man was hurt. A crane dropped some pipes.” His voice was higher than normal, and rushed as if he couldn’t get out what he needed to say fast enough.

I had worked with Oliver a number of years and was long accustomed to his eccentric nature. I already knew all he was telling me, but he wouldn’t let me get a word in edgewise, so I let him continue. “I’ve already called Legal; someone should show up at the hospital any minute to find out his prognosis.”

“Oliver … Oliver, stop.”

“What?” The words screeched out tight and restrained. He took a ragged breath.

“I’m here, at the hospital. The man that was hurt, he uh … he jumped in front of me. Prevented me from being impaled.” My voice cracked and hiccupped to a halt. It took everything I could to hold back the tears.

“Oh my God! Oh my God, Aspen, are you okay? Shit! I’m going to cry. I can’t lose you. I love you.” And there was my drama queen. His effeminate voice strained; he started to cry.

“Oliver. Ollie, honey, I know. I’m fine.” I took a deep breath. “The man that saved me, I don’t even know his name. They’re not telling me anything here at the hospital. I need you to get me some information. Find out who he is and his emergency contacts.”

“Okay, yes. I got it. Anything else?”

“I need to know who runs the show at the hospital. I need to have access to this man. Whatever the cost.” Through the receiver, Oliver’s heavy breathing and the rustling of papers drifted through the phone.


“Okay, okay. I’ll get it. Give me fifteen minutes max.”

“Thank you.” I sighed and looked down at my suit in horror. “Oliver, one more thing: I need a change of clothes. Don’t send a courier. Bring me a suit from the closet in the office.”

“Why?”

I shuddered. “Because this suit is covered in blood.” A sob tried to escape my throat but my hand effectively suppressed the sound. The last thing I needed to lose was my control. After a couple of deep, calming breaths, my nerves were back intact. Mostly.

“Oh my God, okay. Soon. I’ll be there soon. I love you.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “I love you, too, Ollie. Now hurry. People are starting to stare.” I looked over at the couple across from me, mouths agape and eyes opened wide.

The day couldn’t have gotten any worse. Not only was a man fighting for his life on my behalf, but an accident of this nature would undoubtedly set the project back for weeks. I’d promised the stakeholders for Bright Magazine that the building would be ready to start work in the next fiscal year. This kind of delay could cost severely, but not as much as a man’s life.

And what if my savior sued? This catastrophe had the potential to demolish the plan altogether. If he died, it would be worse. A f*cking media frenzy. I rubbed at the headache that started to creep into my temples.

Jesus Christ! When did I become so cold? A man’s life hung in the balance and I was worried about the magazine.

Because all you have is work.