Her eyelashes are already lowering. The doctor had warned that she’d have short bouts of being awake at first and would fatigue quickly.
Ursula blows out a heavy breath and wipes her face again. The woman looks exhausted; not that Keifer or I look any better, but she’s been doing all the necessary CEO things for Wentzell Global from here.
“You guys should go and get some rest.”
They both regard me, looking as if they want to make the same suggestion to me, but they know I won’t leave. They take turns leaning down to kiss Leeva’s forehead, then gather their things and head toward the door.
Ursula’s boyfriends are waiting for her outside in the hall, and Keifer pauses at the door, looking first at Leeva, then back at me.
“I want to have every second with her that I can, Keifer.”
As soon as the MC vote happens, if I’m found guilty, I’ll be taken to the Cell. And I want every second possible with her, if that’s to be my fate.
He nods. “And our offer still stands. Both of you would be protected in Berlin. Running to save yourself isn’t a coward’s way out; it gives you the opportunity to have the life with Leeva you both deserve.”
My throat works. “If it comes down to me not surviving, make sure Leeva is always surrounded by the love of her family.”
His eyes glisten, and he dips his chin. “Of course.”
I turn back to the woman I have no regrets about claiming, even if it’s the thing that kills me in the end.
Chapter 51
Leeva
Hellishfragmentsofmemoryravage me while I hover some place between unconsciousness and lucidity.
The sound of a shotgun.
The bullet, meant for Guerilla’s chest, hitting his shoulder as he leapt out of the way.
The pain and burning feeling when he slammed the knife into me.
The memories of the horrid things he promised he’d do to Hayes and that death ring.
My mind graphically conjuring images of Hayes trapped in some maze or a cage, forced to kill people just to survive.
Then picturing the Havoc Guardians MC deciding his fate and voting him guilty, then killing him.
A scream is lodged in my throat as I struggle and claw my way to consciousness, needing to get to Hayes. I can’t lose him—either to the death ring or to the club’s guilty verdict.
“Hayes,” I croak, my throat burning and my body protesting with pain. “Hayes!”
“Open your eyes, little dove. Leeva, open your eyes.”
My eyelids are heavy, like they refuse to open, but I pour every ounce of conscious effort into doing that task. When I do, I cry with relief.
His face is exhausted and covered with heavy stubble. His beautiful blue eyes are pained and worried. “It was just a nightmare.”
He sits in a chair beside my hospital bed, refusing to leave, even though I’m getting discharged tomorrow.
He hasn’t said it, but I know he’s spending as much time with me as he possibly can before the club votes in case they find him guilty.
Tears coat my cheeks. “I’m sorry.”
He kisses my forehead and wipes my tears away. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“I chose him…” More tears flow. “I never should’ve been with Guerilla. He was always just a substitute for you. I’m a horrible person. All this could’ve been avoided.”
