Page 72 of Ravaged Hearts

I shook my head. “Don’t talk like that.”

Although he’d only voiced what I knew to be true. We were alone in an underground tunnel while a war waged above us. Even if this injury had happened inside a hospital, he probably wouldn’t make it.

Vaughn licked his dry lips as his eyelids became heavy. “This isn’t your fault. Promise me you won’t blame yourself.”

I cupped his face as tears blurred my vision. “Don’t closeyour eyes. Please don’t leave me. I need you to stay with me, Vaughn. I need you so much.” I pressed my forehead to his.

Summoning strength, Vaughn found my eyes with his dark ones. “I love you, Hope. I’ve never loved anything as much as I love you.”

“I love you, too. I’ll always love you.”

Then his chin dropped to his chest, and the body that had fought so hard to save me went lax. Vaughn’s chest didn’t rise again.

God, no. He wasn’t breathing.

“Vaughn!” I shrieked, and thumped my fist over his heart. “Goddammit. Wake up!” I continued pounding even though I knew it wouldn’t do any good.

Firm arms pulled me away. I fought them, needing to be near Vaughn again. I wasn’t ready to let him go. I never would be.

“Let us get him down,” a voice said in my ear.

Brandon.

More people bustled into the room. It was the team. They were finally here, but they were too late.

Kane supported Vaughn while Shep released the shackles. They lowered him to the floor and began working on him. When they started doing CPR, I couldn’t watch anymore.

I turned into Brandon’s embrace and cried, my body shaking with deep, soul-shuddering sobs. His arms stayed around me as he spoke in a soothing tone. I had no idea what he said. It didn’t matter, anyway. My heart was shattering into a million agonizing shards because the love of my life was gone.

Nothing would bring Vaughn back.

Nothing would be okay ever again.

34

VAUGHN

Six days later

Something tugged at my consciousness, urging me to open my heavy lids. I didn’t really want to, but there was an important reason I needed to wake up. I wished I could remember what it was.

A strange beeping sound caught my attention. Not my phone. Not an alarm.

Weird.

Someone spoke loudly in the room next door. Shoes squeaked on the floor and then faded away.

And then I sensedher.

Her warmth. Her scent. Her comforting touch.

Hope.

I opened my eyes, blinking at the brightness in the pale-green room, and found my girl asleep beside me on a bed barely big enough for one. Which was kind of perfect because I wanted her as near as possible.

Hope lay tucked against my side, her head on my shoulder and one palm splayed over my bandaged chest.

Bandages? Shit.