Playing Dirty (Risky Business, #2)(87)

“Did they give her anything?” the EMT asked Parker.

“I don’t know.” He pulled back slightly to look at me. “Sage, did they give you something? A drug?”

I shrugged, not caring, and leaned forward to rest against him again. He was warm and solid and alive.

Hands pulled back my hair while others lifted my arm to inspect the skin.

“Here,” Parker said, his voice rumbling in his chest. “There’s a mark on her neck. Some blood.”

“We need to get her to the hospital,” the woman said. She placed her hands on my shoulders and pulled at me.

“No!” I clutched at Parker, panicked.

“I’ll come with her,” he said. His arm tightened around my waist.

That made perfect sense to me. It was strange. In some corner of my mind, I could tell I was being unreasonable. But I couldn’t stop it. I needed Parker and nothing was going to keep me from him.

Parker stood, making me stand with him, and we took a step. My knees gave out and I would have fallen if he hadn’t had a hold of me.

“Easy now,” he murmured.

My legs were like spaghetti, completely useless. Parker mostly carried me outside to the ambulance and helped me climb in the back.

They had me lie down and they wanted my blood for a test. So long as I could see Parker’s eyes, I didn’t care what they did. He held my good hand and I lost myself in his eyes, until nothing remained but their pure blue, shining in the darkness …





CHAPTER EIGHTEEN


Everything was dark when I awoke. My mind was lethargic and slow. I licked my dry lips, blinking slowly as I turned to look around the room.

Was I alone? Where was Parker? Ryker?

Anxiety edged my listlessness, and I tried to sit up in the bed I was lying in.

“It’s okay, Sage. You’re safe.”

Parker. He was sitting in a chair next to the bed, holding my hand.

I fell back onto the bed.

“Where am I?” I croaked.

“The hospital.”

“Why do I feel so weird?”

“You were given a drug. They weren’t sure what it is, so they aren’t counteracting it, just watching you until it wears off.”

“Ryker. Where’s Ryker?”

I started to cry, images of him being burned by that tire iron so vivid in my mind, it was like I was watching it on television.

“Shh, it’s okay.” Parker tried to soothe me. “Don’t cry. He’s fine, I promise.”

But I was inconsolable, curling onto my side and crying as though my heart were breaking.

“You gotta come, man,” I heard Parker saying. “It’s the drug. It’s making her unstable. She needs you.”

I opened my eyes, distraught now that Parker might think I didn’t need him.

“Don’t leave,” I whispered, tugging him closer. “Come here.” I pulled at him until he climbed into bed with me.

“It’s all right,” he said, drawing his fingers through my hair. “The drug will wear off soon.”

“Viktor won’t come?” I asked.

“No. He won’t come.”

I breathed a sigh, closing my eyes.

“Sage, you remember tonight, when Viktor asked you if you’d choose?”

“Mmmm.”

“Do you remember what you said?”

I frowned. “He hurt me. My hand …” It felt numb now and was wrapped in something. I couldn’t bend my fingers.

“Yes, he did,” Parker said. “Do you remember who you chose?”

“I love you.”

“Yes, you said that.”

“I love Ryker.”

“Yes, you said that, too.”

I squirmed, tears leaking from my eyes. “He was hurting you. Hurting both of you. I was afraid he’d kill you.”

“He didn’t. We’re fine. I swear to you. Just tell me … do you remember choosing? Do you remember?”

I heard the door open and gasped, jerking around in fear. But it was Ryker. He was at my side in an instant.

“I’m here,” he said, taking my hand.

I pulled him down so I could hug him, talking through my tears. “He hurt you,” I managed. “I saw him …”

“Don’t think about that anymore,” Ryker said.

“Can you stay with me?” I asked. “Do you have to work again?”

He winced, but nodded. “Yeah. I can stay.”

I relaxed again, lying back on the bed. Parker rose, but I clutched at the T-shirt he wore.

“No, don’t!” He paused. “Stay,” I said. I was afraid. Afraid to let either of them out of my sight. They’d left me before and had nearly died. They could so easily be dead right now.

Parker hesitated, then lay back down next to me. I still had hold of Ryker, who sat awkwardly on the other side of me. My fingers were wrapped in gauze and he held my hand as though it was made of glass.

I let out a deep sigh, feeling the knot of anxiety inside my chest ease. Now things were okay. So long as I could see them and feel them, I’d know they were both safe.

My eyes were heavy and I couldn’t keep them open anymore. The room spun slowly on its axis. I could feel the comforting presence of the men I loved and before I realized, I was out.