The tears make my vision blurry, so it takes me a moment to realize that it’s Nick who just came into the room.
“Are you hurt?” he asks me as he cuts the zip ties binding my wrists and feet together. I nod my head, yes, because speaking isn’t an option right now. My heart feels like it’s cracking down the middle, splintering inside my chest.
As soon as I’m free, I stumble off the chair. My legs are stiff, and it takes all the strength I have to take the two steps I need before falling on my knees beside Miles’s limp body. Taking his face into my hands, my eyes scan his face for any signs of life.
He can’t be gone. He can’t be.
“I need you to move, Rose. We have to get you both out of here before more men show up.” I register in my mind what Nick is saying but can’t bring myself to release Miles’s face.
Someone comes up behind me and wraps their arms around my middle, pulling me backward, and no matter how hard I try and fight them, no matter how much I cry, I don’t get any closer to Miles.
“It’s okay.” One of Miles’s men attempts to soothe me as he drags me out of the warehouse and into the dark night. Cool air kisses my skin, the cold seeping into warmth as I’m placed in one of the black SUV’s. My entire body is shaking, crippling fear makes it hard to breathe, to do anything, but simply exist. All I can think about is Miles. If he’s okay, or even still alive.
Three men carry Miles out of the building after me. They place his limp body inside the car beside me while Nick gets into the driver’s seat.
I move around so I can have Miles’s head on my lap. His eyes are closed, and for a moment, I think he is not breathing, but when I place a hand on his chest, I find it rising and falling with each of his breaths. A small amount of relief washes over me, and all I can do now is say a silent prayer, begging whoever is listening to keep his heart beating.
“Are you sure?”I ask. I have to make sure I heard what the doctor is saying because when they wheeled him away and down the hall hours ago, I was certain we were going to lose him.
“Yes, your fiancé is going to make a full recovery,” he explains, and I slump back into the uncomfortable waiting room seat. I had to tell them that we’re engaged so they would give me updates. Nick, who told them he is his brother, looks equallyrelieved at the doctor’s response. Nick has been sitting next to me the entire time, never leaving my sight. I’m not completely sure if he is making sure I’m safe or making sure I don’t leave. Either way, I’m thankful not to be here alone right now.
“The bullets missed all his major organs. He did, however, lose a lot of blood, so he’s going to need to rest for a while. No strenuous activities.”
“He’s okay… he’s okay…” I repeat to myself.
The doctor places a reassuring hand against my shoulder, and I have to stop myself from flinching away from his touch. “Yes, he’s in recovery right now. As soon as we move him into a regular room, you can go and see him and stay with him if you like.”
“Thank you, doctor.” Nick gives him a tight-lipped smile, and the doctor smiles back before walking back to the nurses’ station.
With the doctor gone, I turn back toward Nick. My fear of losing Miles is all I can think about. I won’t believe a word that anyone says until I see him for myself.
“Everything is okay, Rose. Miles is like a brother to me, so I know how you’re feeling right now, but he’s too much of a pain in the ass to die on us. It won’t be long till he’s out of this place and back to being a dick to everyone in the world.”
I want to return the smile he gives me to comfort him in the same way, but I don’t have it in me. Instead, I nod my head and remain sitting in the same uncomfortable chair.
Three stale cups of hospital coffee and a granola bar later, they finally allow me into the room to see Miles. I take hesitant steps toward the bed where he lays, machines hooked up to him, tubes coming out of his body. He looks fragile, which is strange because he’s the least fragile-looking person I know, which only adds to the never-ending emotions I’m feeling.
Tears sting my eyes. He almost died because of me.
“Miles,” I croak, unable to hold it together, a second longer. Nearly sagging against the bed, I grab onto his hand and squeeze. His hand is warm and rough, and I almost break out into a sob. I need him to know that I’m here, that I’m with him and that I didn’t just leave, that all of this wasn’t for nothing.
His eyes flutter open and find mine immediately.
“Rose,” he croaks quietly.
“Yes.” I squeeze his hands a little tighter, letting him know I’m here.
“Are you okay?” His face contorts with pain as he asks, and I almost laugh.
“Yes, I’m okay.” I squeeze his hand again, “I’m not the one in the hospital bed, am I?”
“I was so worried about you… How did we get out?”
“You’re welcome,” Nick chimes in from the corner of the room. “I’m expecting a pay rise after everything that happened.”
Miles shakes his head, but gives him a faint smile before turning his attention back to me, “Did…” I can see the guilt in his eyes. “Did anything happen… are you okay? Have you seen a doctor?” I just can’t with him. Even when he’s near death, he’s still worried about me.
“I’m okay, and nothing happened to me. Just a couple scrapes and bruises, and that’s it.” I swallow, “Please don’t worry about me. You’re the one who was shot.”
