Page 7 of Golden Ruin

I turn toward him again, feeling my gut twist at the thought of what this must have been like for him. But now that I know he isn’t hurt, there’s another pressing question.

“His mom… are there any updates on her? No one’s been able to tell us anything.”

My heart slams my ribs, and I try to ignore the intrusive thoughts. That there’s a reason they’ve been so tightlipped about Lex. That she’s worse off than we’ve already imagined.

But I can’t think like that.

I can’t.

“All I know is she’s still being treated.”

My jaw ticks. “That’s what we’ve already heard, but what the fuck does it mean?”

I’m trying to control my emotions, but I’m almost at my breaking point.

“I’m sorry, sir. I know you’re concerned about your wife, but that’s all I know. The only thing I can say is that she’s a damn hero. Not everyone would have the courage to do what she did tonight.”

She touches my arm, then walks away. I don’t even think to correct her, because that’s unimportant. For now, I have to figure out how to tell Jaxon I have no more information about his mother now than I did a moment ago.

I hate not knowing, hate not having answers, but what I do have is my son.

And if it weren’t for Lexi… I might not have been so lucky.

CHAPTER THREE

Lexi

My lungs burn before my eyes focus. A second later, I’m fully awake, bolting upright, gasping for air.

There should be fire and smoke everywhere, but my surroundings don’t line up.

Gray walls, a muted TV set to ESPN, the moon and city skyline outside a large window, an IV bag hanging near my head.

Where the fuck am I?

Where is he?

“Jaxon!”

I grip the rail on the bed and tug at the tube blowing cool air into my nose, hellbent on getting up to find him. But a large shadow rushes at me from the right, stopping me before I get the chance.

“Lex… it’s me. You’re okay.”

The warmth of large arms encircles me, holding me in place, and I pick up on his scent before his face even registers.

“Sterling?”

“I’m here.”

His grip tightens. The feeling is familiar and foreign all at once. Like something I know but haven’t felt in so long it’s mostly a blur.

My head spins, and I place a hand on my chest. “Jaxon… where is he? I–”

“Take it easy. He’s fine.” Sterling’s voice is calm and low, but this doesn’t feel real.

“I couldn’t… I couldn’t get us out. I tried, but–”

“Relax,” he says softly. “You saved his life, Lex.”