I notice Jax and Zephyr in the back watching. Not jealous. Just waiting.
Jax comes to my other side. He wipes the tears from my cheeks with his thumb.
Zephyr grabs my hand. The one without the IV.
“I wish I could kiss you,” Zephyr says quietly.
Jax looks at him. Then at Callum. When his eyes find mine, he asks, “May I?”
The air doesn’t reach my lungs as a tear slips out. I try my best to nod.
Jax leans down and presses his lips to mine. So sweet. So careful.
I squeeze Zephyr’s hand.
Zephyr pushes Callum out of the way gently and leans down. First, he kisses my forehead, then he looks deep into my eyes. I’ll never forget the moments right before the darkness really hit. All I saw was his face, those brown eyes. I think I really like him.
I try to nod when he asks for permission.
He kisses me, and the pleasure immediately makes my body jolt. Pain shoots through my chest and arm. I wince.
Zephyr freezes. “Sorry. I’m sorry.”
I squeeze his hand again to tell him it’s okay.
He kisses me. Soft. Lingering. When he pulls back, he wipes the tear that just fell from my eye.
“We thought we lost you,” he whispers.
I squeeze his hand again and look into his brown eyes. They fill with water as he looks back at me.
“I’m so happy you’re okay, Tiger.”
He kisses me one more time. Then steps away to wipe his face.
Callum leans down and kisses my cheek. “Looks like I’m not the only one you like.”
My eyelids flutter. I want to laugh, but I know it’ll hurt too much.
I look at all three of them standing around my bed. My chest feels lighter. My breathing comes easier.
My dad didn’t kill any of them.
My dad.
“Dad?” I rasp.
Jax and Zephyr exchange a look.
Zephyr says, “He’s going to prison for a long fucking time. You’re going to press charges, right?”
They all look at me.
More tears fall. I don’t know if I’m crying because I’m alive, because they’re alive, because they’re here, or because I just lost my family for the second time in my life.
“No,” I whisper.
Callum shoots up straight. “Tiger, you have to. To protect Zinnia.”
