Dex kisses my forehead again. “I was so scared,” he whispers as I hear paramedics rush inside.
I try to see where Mason is, but I can’t.
“Mason is in the other ambulance.” Ethan tells me and I breathe out.He’s ok.
“Sir, you need to hand her to us so we can take care of her.”
Dex looks up, his stare terrifying.
“I stay with her.”
Not a question. A statement.
“You need to let us…”
“You do what you have to do while I hold her, but I’m not putting her down.”
His voice is low.
Final.
I try to get his attention. “Dex…”
My voice is raw, exhausted.
He looks down instantly.
“I…” I try, but the words won’t come.
I’m okay. Let them help.
I tell him with my eyes, and I see the shift when he understands.
He looks at the paramedic. “I ride in the ambulance with you.”
The paramedic nods.
Dex lowers me carefully onto the gurney, controlled, like I might break.
Then his hand comes into view.
Wrapped around mine.
Holding it tight.
He knows I can’t feel it.
But I can see it.
And I need to.
“Not letting you go, Tinker. Never again.”
Tears fill my eyes.
I’ll never let you go either.
Dex sees it there, in my eyes, and brings my hand to his lips while the paramedics work around us.
