Christian?
“There was a man with a gun, and he was aiming for you.” His eyes close. “I thought – but Christian moved so fast. He was in front of you before any of us even realized.”
Christian. Christian is hurt.
“Where is he?” I ask Luc. “Can I see him?”
Luc hesitates, but he carries me over to where the Winter pack are gathered around the floor. Harper is crying, her eyes red as Devlin wraps her in his arms. Rogue bends over his father, his face ashen and eyes wet as he leans in, whispering something I can’t hear as he cradles Christian’s head on his lap.
An expanding patch of crimson stains Christian’s white shirt, his smart crisp suit rumpled and ripped. Max is on his knees next to them, his face tight as he and Ace murmur in worried tones.
I push at Luc’s arms. Christiansavedme. Again.
He saved me, and now…
“Let me down, Luc.Please.”
Reluctantly, he places my feet gently on the ground, wrapping his arm around my waist when I nearly stagger. Pain blossoms in my abdomen, and I suck in a shaky breath as his arms tighten. “I’m all right,” I insist, my throat tight as I push it down. “Let me see him.”
Luc helps me to kneel next to Max. Christian turns unfocused green eyes towards me, lifting his hand. I take it without hesitation, his fingers icy cold around mine.
He manages a pained smile. “You’re all right.”
I swallow hard. “Thanks to you,” I whisper. “Thank you, Christian.”
It doesn’t escape me that the last time we were this close, Christian carried me out of my cell and away from Jason. As we watch each other, another memory surfaces, Christian’s face full of fury and his hands around Jason’s neck as he pulls him off me.
His green eyes flicker, and he coughs, a drop of blood tricking down his chin. Leaning in, I wipe it away with my finger. “I’m sorry,” he wheezes. “That I didn’t stop it.”
I shake my head slowly. “You did stop it.”
Max leans back on his haunches next to me, his hand tangling in his hair. “There’s no exit wound,” he says quietly, “and he’s bleeding heavily from his lower back. it’s not looking good, Rogue.”
It’s easy to read between the lines.
Rogue takes a deep breath, his face shadowed in grief as he turns back to his father.
“Dad,” he croaks. “Help is coming. You just need to hold on.”
Christian smiles, his tone chiding. “Rogue. I know that I’m not walking out of here.”
Rogue flinches, his eyes locked on his father. “Dad…,”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t a better father,” Christian whispers. “These past weeks… I wish we’d had more time together.”
Rogue closes his eyes. “You were,” he says roughly. “When it counted, you were.”
Christian’s head lolls to the side. “I’m glad you have Harper,” he mumbles. “Hold onto her, son. Don’t ever let her go.”
Harper wipes her face as she tries to smile. “I won’t let him go, Christian,” she promises tearfully, and he snorts out a laugh. A spray of blood. Max wipes it away, his expression tense. “Atta girl.”
His eyes move slowly to Rogue. “Don’t grieve for me, Rogue. I’m a little sad not to see how this turns out, but I’ll be with your mother soon.”
Rogue nods jerkily, wiping his hand over his eyes. “Say hi to mom for me?” he whispers.
I can’t stop the tears coursing down my face.
Christian smiles widely. “I will.” His breathing slows, rattling in his chest before stuttering to a stop.
