Feels too thin, too sharp.
Feels like every inhale drags loss deeper into my lungs.
I wipe my mouth with the back of my shaking hand, my vision still wavering, my gut twisted into knots. The fire behind us roars louder, a burning monster that ate an entire building full of people I cared about.
And all I can think is, I didn’t save them.
I should’ve gotten here sooner.
I should’ve—
Another dry heave pushes me forward.
Sin tightens his grip. “You’re not alone in this,” he murmurs. “We’re here.”
But I feel alone.
Gut-wrenchingly alone.
Because while I’m choking on grief and bile, the thought that I could have lost Queenie if I were minutes later, fuck, seconds later, reminds me that without her, without Queenie, and now without Marley, I’d have no one left to love.
Sin’s voice cuts through the chaos, sharp, commanding, “Nitro.” I look up. His jaw is clenched, his eyes hard with worry that he doesn’t bother hiding. “You’re getting checked out.”
“I’m fine,” I rasp, even though my lungs feel like sandpaper and my vision sways.
“The fuck you are,” Ghost growls from somewhere behind Sin.
“I said… I’m fine!” I snap, trying to push to my feet.
Sin steps in front of me, blocking my way, his voice turning cold. President cold. “You don’t argue with me on this. You breathed in more smoke than a goddamn chimney. And you’re puking your guts up, it might just be from the stress, but it can also be a symptom of smoke inhalation. Get in the ambulance.Now!”
“Sin…”
He leans in, his forehead almost touching mine, his eyes glaring. “I’m not asking. I’m giving a damn order.”
The brothers go quiet.
Sin’s orders are final.
I grit my teeth but stagger toward the open ambulance door. Sin climbs in right behind me, standing guard. He’s not leaving until a medic signs off that I’m still alive.
I sit on the edge of the stretcher, hands braced on my knees, head hanging as I choke on the taste of smoke and bile.
The medic steps forward, shining a light in my eyes. “Sir, can you—”
Suddenly, something tugs at my peripheral vision.
A shape.
A silhouette just beyond the barricade.
I turn my head quickly, making it spin. Sin notices the shift and follows my gaze. At the edge of the chaos, partially hidden by shadows and emergency lights, stands Derek.
Watching the fire.
Watching the bodies.
Watchingme.
