“I did make a vow to stick with you in sickness and in health,” I tease.
“That’s right.” His hand grows weak against mine and falls to the bed. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I say, but he’s already asleep.
CHAPTER 45
CALEB
Slowly, I blink into awareness.
The room around me is dark, but the beeping is loud. And it feels like I’ve been run over by a truck… or shot.
Second by second, the details creep back into my memory.
Yesterday was supposed to be the best day of my life, and it was, until…
An image of Freya and the crazed look in her eyes appears in my mind. It makes my chest ache, knowing how angry she was at Halle. Theboys. I’d take the bullet a million times over if it meant keeping them safe, but I know Halle and the twins must be feeling awful.
Halle.
It’s then that I search for her. She’s still holding my hand. No wonder it’s warmer than the rest of my body. Eyes closed, she’s slumped partially onto the mattress, still wearing that blue dress.
Fuck, she has to be cold.
Little by little, I work one of my blankets off and drape it over her. Each move, no matter how small, is excruciating.
Wincing, I push the button that’s supposed to dispense more pain killers through my IV.
Less than a minute later, a nurse comes in. “Hey.” She disinfects her hands at the antibacterial pump in the wall. “I noticed you pushed the pain button. I thought I’d check on you since you’re awake. I take it you’re feeling some pain.”
“Yeah,” I groan.
After the work I did to cover Halle, I’ve broken into a sweat.
Her eyes follow mine to my wife, and she sighs. “Let’s try not to do anything strenuous, okay? You just had surgery.”
“Can’t help it,” I mutter.
“I’m going to get your temperature and blood pressure. They should be coming by for blood work in the next hour or so.”
I let her do what she needs to do, thankful when the pain medicine kicks in, even if it makes me groggy.
“Let me get another blanket or two,” she says when she’s done with all her checks.
When she returns, she lays one blanket over me and another on Halle.
I can barely keep my eyes open as I whisper, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Hit the call button if you need me.”
I’m out before she leaves the room, but Halle and I both stir when a phlebotomist arrives to draw blood.
When they’re gone, Halle touches my cheek, looking at me like she can’t quite believe I’m here.
“How are you feeling?” she asks.
“Like I’m not going to let a little bullet wound slow me down.”
