Chapter Seventeen
PATIENCE
I jackknifed up in bed, my heart about to race right out of my chest.
Ungodly sounds echoed through the room as if someone was being tortured. For a minute, I froze, thinking I was locked in a nightmare as I listened to the cries of pain, shouts of terror, and wails of agony.
Then Jett’s voice drifted to my ears as he called out for someone, his voice laced with so much sorrow that I jumped into action. Searching, I found my phone laying on the floor next to the bed, where it must have dropped when I fell asleep while talking to my husband.
I should be right next to him.
All I knew was that I needed to get to him. I ran toward the kitchen, not disconnecting the call even though the things I heard threatened to take me to my knees. I didn’t want to leave him alone; the call was like a lifeline at that moment.
With shaky hands, I yanked open the small miscellaneous drawer next to the fridge and grabbed a key. Thank heavens Jett had us exchanging keys in case of an emergency.
Because if this wasn’t an emergency, then I didn’t have tits.
Shoot, we all knew when you started sounding like Alley, it meant you were losing your mind. But it also could mean you were one badass woman. Right now, though, I was not sane for sure.
My feet couldn’t move fast enough, and as I flew out the door, not even bothering to lock it, I almost face-planted in the hall, but managed to keep myself upright. I fought my still trembling hands, trying to get the key in the hole, and my panic rose. I could still hear his cries for help, for someone to hold on and my soul ached for him.
Finally, I got the door open and shut it behind me. I rushed into the bedroom, and what I saw had my heart splintering into a million tiny pieces.
Jett thrashed back and forth, the sheet and blankets tangled around his legs; sweat lingered on every inch of exposed skin as he howled like a wounded animal.
Having read up on stuff, I knew better than to touch him or get too close. It killed me not to just be able to reach out and pull him into my arms.
“Jett. Can you hear me?” I called out softly. “It’s me, Patience. You’re at the condo, and I’m right here with you. Please wake up,” I pleaded.
His moaning and movements didn’t dull one bit. Sorrow ripped through the dark room as he said, “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you. I’m so fucking sorry.”
It was gut-wrenching, and my world began tumbling down around me as I struggled to find a solution. With my phone in my hand, I almost dialed Gyth for help, but in a last-ditch effort to handle this on my own, I tried soothing my husband again. Just not with words.
I sang.
“From the moment I glanced into your eyes, the spark was alive. Just one look, that’s all it took. You eased my soul and stole my heart, right from the very start.”
Jett’s movements slowed and his cries got quieter, so I kept going.
“You’re in my dreams and on my mind, consuming my thoughts every day, along with every night. How do I tell you that you’re the one, the one that I will love for all time?”
When he stilled, his lids popping open, I stopped. His gaze was trained on me, but the look in his sorrow-filled eyes still seemed far away, like he was looking right through me. He blinked a couple of times, and I could tell he was coming back to the present.
Jett sat up and threw his legs over the edge of the bed but hung his head. “What are you doing here?”
Hurt by his angry tone, I didn’t answer. I knew he wasn’t trying to be mean, but I couldn’t wash away my feelings. He looked up, and our eyes met.
“I’m sorry I spoke to you that way.” He blew out a breath. “I didn’t want you to see this, and I could have hurt you.”
Unable to handle the distance, I took a step forward and watched his eyes widen in panic. “You’re not going to hurt me.”
When he stayed silent, I took a couple more steps until I was standing right in front of him. He leaned his head back and looked up at me, his expressive blue eyes so filled with pain. I tossed my phone onto the bed and, needing to touch him, I placed both palms on his head, sliding my fingers through his messy locks.
His eyes closed, and he sucked in a breath. What happened next wounded every inch of my heart but also gave me hope because he was trusting me at that moment.
Jett reached out and softly grabbed my hips, dragging methe last couple of inches toward him, and laid his forehead against my stomach. “I couldn’t save them.”
He sounded so broken as sobs took control of his body and he clung to me. Hot wet tears soaked the thin fabric of my tank top, and that was when I realized what I was wearing.
