Page 6 of Heavy Crown

“I’ve got her,” I say. “Check the other vehicle.”

Kane surveys the road and then jogs to the middle where the sports car is a mess of metal. “Doesn’t look good,” he calls back. “Can’t find a pulse on this guy.”

One dead, and she almost went over a cliff. Her breathing is shallow, but it’s there. The fact that she’s still unconscious can’t be good. There’s blood all over my suit, staining my white shirt a deep red.

The ambulance screams down the road, followed by the police and fire trucks. Then it’s a swarm of people surrounding me, taking her from my arms, and doing rapid assessments while they wheel her off.

Kane tries to mention my broken ribs, and I shake my head at him. He frowns but doesn’t contradict me.

“You’re a hero tonight, Prince Alexander,” one of the police officers says when we recount getting the girl out of the car.

During the brief conversation, I’ve been too distracted. Half of me is in the ambulance wondering whether she’s going to be okay.

“May I—” I start toward the ambulance. “I’m just going to check on her.”

When I get there, they’re about to shut the back doors.

While I don’t understand what’s driving me, I’m not in the mood to fight myself. “I’m along for the ride,” I say to the attendant.

Her eyes widen in surprise and then narrow. “Do you know her, Your Highness? I understand her ID and everything else went over the cliff.”

“I don’t know her,” I say. “But no one should be alone after something like this.”

The paramedic’s gaze softens. “Technically you can ride. Hop in.”

When I climb into the back and see the blond woman again, my gut twists, and the pain in my ribs returns. So odd. I give my head a little shake and settle onto the bench across from the other paramedic monitoring vitals.

“She going to be okay?” Without thinking, I take one of her pale hands in mine.

The medic is flicking machines and checking readings but glances in my direction. “Head injury is concerning. Won’t know much more till we get to the hospital. She’s alive. Might not have been if you’d waited for us before getting her out.”

I stare at the unconscious woman and the mantra open your eyes plays in my head. My surge of protectiveness for this woman is the most curious thing I’ve ever experienced, and I scan her face, searching for a grain of familiarity. That’s how it feels—like I’ve known her for years. A swift and sudden knowing.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I take it out.

Shit. I forgot all about Kane. Never even crossed my mind to tell him I was going in the ambulance.

Instead of answering, I ignore the call and shoot him a text to meet me at the hospital.

When was the last time I was distracted to the point of negligence? I’ve never left my security detail anywhere. I’m not Nick. I don’t have the luxury of pretending I’m not famous. My status makes me a prize for someone with sinister motives and a desire for money.

God, where is my head?

I tuck my phone into my pocket and sweep her hand into mine again. Not a single thing I’ve done since I asked Kane to turn down West Shore Road has been logical or reasonable.

When I glance at the mystery woman on the gurney, a rightness settles over my chest. I might not understand what’s happening, but something drew me down that road and into the rear of this ambulance.

For the first time in my life, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

four

Rory

My right hand is warm, so warm. A comfort seeps into me from the connection—vital and real. I’m tempted to linger here, half-awake and half-asleep, a place where no worries exist. The dull ache in my skull has other ideas.

When I open my eyes, I squint against the brightness of the overhead lights.

“You’re awake,” a male voice murmurs from beside me.