His fingers pinched, and I squeezed my eyes shut at the single shot.
A whimper dragged itself out of me, my body trembling so violently that I thought my legs might give way.
A low, dark chuckle rolled across the air, and Caretaker stiffened, turning with a snarl.
“Do you really think I’d come alone?” Ryder grinned, the smile manic as he winked at me through his good eye. My heart clenched so hard it hurt as Jürgen collapsed beside him with half his head blown off. “Although, he’s rather fucking late.”
Tears clogged my voice, thick and burning, making it almost impossible to speak.
I swung at Caretaker with everything I had, the shock of it causing his grip to loosen, allowing me to launch myself at Ryder.
He’d fallen onto his back, breath shallow, one hand pressed to his side where blood was seeping through his shirt. His face was pale, jaw clenched against the pain, but he was alive. Barely.
“Ryder!” I dropped beside him, hands trembling as I desperately added pressure.
There was a commotion behind me, words in a language I didn’t understand, but I refused to look away from him.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice weakening.
“No, no, no, no.” My breath hitched as I whipped my head around, searching for help. Roman was there, emerging through a group of men dressed in black tactical gear. “Roman! Please, over here!”
“Blondie…” Ryder exhaled.
“Roman!” I screamed, voice breaking. “I need help!”
“Violet…” Ryder murmured, dragging my attention back to him.
I looked down at him through blurred, wet eyes. My heart clawing at my ribs with every frantic beat. “Everything’s going to be okay,” I whispered, even as terror crushed my chest. “Please… you promised!”
He gave the smallest broken laugh, barely a sound at all. “I’m sorry,” he breathed. “I’m sorry for everything.”
“It doesn’t matter. Please, Ryder, it doesn’t matter,” I choked out.
Where the fuck was Roman?
“You need to stay awake,” I begged, pressing harder and using my weight to try and slow the bleeding. “Please, you need to stay with me. Please, I forgive you!”
His gaze slipped, unfocused, drifting.
“Ryder, look at me. Look at me!”
“Sorry, blondie,” he whispered, his good eye fluttering shut as his hand went slack beneath mine. “Thank you… for being my new dream.”
Chapter 61
Violet
I was scared to look away. The doctor explained it was unlikely he’d be responsive anytime soon. But sitting here, watching his chest rise and fall on its own, without tubes or machines forcing oxygen into him… it felt like the only thing left in my control.
It had been close, but the surgery had been a success. The bullet had been removed and the worst of the damage repaired.
He was alive, but I don’t think I’ve ever cried as much as I have these past few days. All that was left was waiting for him to wake up. And hewouldwake up.
I refused to acknowledge any other outcome.
“How is he?”
I shot to my feet, spinning around to find mum standing in the doorway of Ryder’s hospital room. Her dark eyes were hard, guarded as they flicked to Ryder before settling on me. Bruises marked her skin in angry patches, but the ones around her throat were the worst.
