Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 498(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 498(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
At some point, I stood and leaned over him, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. I pressed my lips to his skin. “Wake up,” I whispered again.
Still nothing.
Nurses came and went, taking blood, adjusting monitors. Doctors stopped in, quiet and efficient. I stayed put. I couldn’t have said how long. Time had lost meaning.
Eventually, exhaustion pulled me forward until my cheek rested on the blanket beside our joined hands. His palm was still warm. I took that as a sign. But he didn’t stir.
Doc Springfield checked in a few times, his face tightening with each visit. The shadows beneath his eyes grew darker. I tried to ignore what that might mean.
Memories crowded in, one after another. The first time I’d seen Aiden, when he’d rescued me from a kidnapper years ago. Then later, when he’d come back into my life undercover, pretending to be someone else while I stood in court wearing a suit and heels. Every meeting, every fight, every near miss between us played behind my eyes like old film.
Tears gathered, blurring my vision, and I let them fall onto the blanket, still holding his hand.
“Don’t cry.”
My head jerked up.
He’d barely managed to get the words out, rough and hoarse, but they were his.
“Aiden.” I gripped his hand tighter and leaned forward.
His eyes were open, unfocused but blue and alive. “Are we in the hospital?”
“Yes,” I gasped, swiping at my face. “Are you okay?”
He frowned, barely moving his head. “Is it me or you?”
“It’s you,” I burst out. “You’re in the hospital. There was an explosion. You were hurt.”
His brows furrowed, and he winced. “Aye. Headache.”
“Yeah. You were in the tunnel. It collapsed.”
He glanced around slowly. “I don’t remember that.”
“You’re safe now,” I said.
“How about you? Are you good?” His eyes met mine, steady despite the haze.
“I’m fine. I’m not the one in the hospital bed.”
“Oh.” He sounded groggy but alert enough to make me breathe again.
“Can you move everything?” My voice came out too loud.
He squeezed my hand. “That one works.”
“What about the other?”
He lifted his arm, slow but steady.
“Feet?”
He wiggled his toes under the blanket. “I think I’m good.” He started to push the blanket aside.
“No.” I caught his wrist. “You’re not good. You’re not leaving. You had shrapnel embedded in your side.”
He paused. “I did?”
“And a concussion.”
“Yeah, that one I believe. I’m seeing two of you.”
“That’s not great,” I muttered, but my chest loosened. “You’re talking. That’s good.” I pressed the call button. “We’ll get the doctor.”
Doc Springfield came within seconds, his sneakers squeaking on the floor. Relief softened his face. “Hey, Agent Devlin. You gave us a scare.”
Aiden looked at him warily.
“The whole town of Silverville is outside, plus half of Timber City,” Doc said. “Do you mind if I tell them you’re all right so they can finally go home?”
“They’re all here?” Aiden asked, frowning.
“Yeah. Looks like you’ve got more people who care about you than you realized.” Doc’s smile was kind. “Your unit and Sheriff Franco want to talk to you once you’re up for it.”
Aiden’s gaze shifted to me. “Okay.”
Doc left quietly, the door clicking shut behind him.
Aiden turned back to me. “Everybody came?”
“Yes.” I met his gaze. “Because you’re in the hospital.”
He looked confused for a moment, as if that simple fact didn’t make sense. Aiden had never been the one who needed help. People forgot he didn’t have family of his own. What he did have was our town, this web of people he’d saved or protected or inspired, even when he didn’t notice.
“They’re all here for you,” I said softly.
He looked around the room, his eyes clearing. “Huh.”
I wasn’t sure what that sound meant, but it felt like something shifting.
Then he flipped his hand in mine, fingers intertwining. The strength of that small movement nearly undid me.
“You’re pale,” he murmured, his voice strengthening into a command. “Sit down.”
Relief hit me so fast my knees gave out. I dropped back into the chair.
There he was. Aiden was back.
Chapter 26
I awoke to Aiden brushing my hair back from my face. His touch was slow and gentle, his calloused fingers tracing the edge of my temple. I blinked, coming back from a dream. The bright light of morning filtered through half-closed blinds, washing the hospital room in pale gold. The air smelled faintly of disinfectant and stale coffee. I had fallen asleep with my head resting on his hospital bed, my body curled in the chair beside him.
When I sat up, my neck protested in sharp pain. “Ow.”
“Baby, you need to go home and get some sleep,” he said softly. His voice was rough, half asleep, but the hint of concern made something twist in my chest.
Outside the door, I could see Doc arriving with a paper cup of coffee in hand, talking quietly with one of the nurses. The world felt strangely still after everything that had happened. I’d stayed all night, too afraid to leave.