Page 91 of Never Enough
As they load him onto the stretcher, I slide in beside him, the cold metal hard against my hip. His skin is too pale under the fluorescent lights, but he’s alive. That’s all that matters.
My fingers entwine with his, holding on as if I could anchor his soul to his body. He murmurs something I can’t quite hear, but he’s trying to stay awake. Meanwhile, the paramedics gather blood and examine his wound.
I never release Alex’s hand. The steady beat of his pulse beneath my fingertips is the sweetest thing I’ve ever felt.
Victoria’s car follows behind. I lean close to Alex, my lips brushing his ear. “I’m here, my love, and I’m not going anywhere. I love you.”
My heart aches. Each beat is a plea for him to fight, for us to survive this nightmare together.
Chapter thirty-six
Daphne
Chapter thirty-seven
Alex
Consciousness creeps back. I blink my heavy lids open. The sterile scent of the hospital slams into me. Meanwhile, a dull throb pulses through every inch of my body, but it’s nothing compared to the tightness in my chest when I spot Daphne.
She’s curled up in one of those god-awful hospital chairs, her chin-length dark waves spilling over the armrest, her hazel eyes hidden beneath closed lids. She looks peaceful, a lovely reprieve to the storm that usually rages in my head. The sight of her there—just for me—eases something deep inside.
She could have died. Hell, we both could have died. When I spotted Lynn pointing a gun at Daphne, my heart about stopped. I can’t lose her.
I have to make her mine forever.
It’s just me, Daph, and my sister in my hospital room right now.
“Vic,” I rasp out, voice barely above a whisper. My sister’s brown eyes flick from the television screen to me. She’s perched on theedge of the room’s only other chair, posture perfect, every inch the Whitmore heiress even in this dimly lit room.
That is until she leaps from her chair and practically pounces to my side. “Oh my God!” she says, giving me the biggest hug she ever has. Doing my best while navigating the IVs and monitors attached to my arms and hands, I return it. Then, I see Victoria’s stare flickering to my sleeping Daphne.
“Don’t wake her,” I say.
Her gaze sharpens, lips parting slightly as if ready for battle. “Alex? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Just let her sleep.” I can practically see the gears turning in Victoria’s head, gauging my expression, weighing my words for hidden meaning. She’s always been like this. So calculating, protective, and a little bit cold. But right now, I’m grateful for it.
“Okay,” she says after a moment, nodding to herself. “Okay.”
Pain lances through me as I shift in the hospital bed, trying to find a position that doesn’t feel like I’m lying on shards of glass. My fingers fumble for my phone on the bedside table, each movement an exercise in endurance.
“Jesus, Alex, what are you doing?” Victoria sharply asks. “Stop moving, you idiot!”
“I’ve got to do something before Daphne wakes up.” My thumb hovers over the screen, ready to navigate to some online jewelry shop. Any jewelry shop. “I’m buying a ring.”
Victoria’s hand comes down on my shoulder with a light smack, and I wince—not from the pain but from her disapproving scowl. “Idiot,” she mutters affectionately, or at least as affectionately as Victoria can muster. “You had me scared shitless thinking you two were going to break up again.”
“Sorry, I—” She cuts me off with a wave of her hand, her brown eyes suddenly glassy.
“Alex, that is a terrible idea.” She sucks in a breath, steadying herself. I know she’s right, but it still feels like a punch to the gut.
“Vic, come on, I—”
“Shut it, Alex.” Her tone leaves no room for argument. “Not because she wouldn’t say yes. She would in a heartbeat, but you two haven’t even really dated yet.” Vic leans forward, elbows on her knees, her dark hair framing her face like a curtain of disapproval. “She deserves romance and dates, Alex. Give her what she deserves.”
The words hang heavy in the air, tethered to a weight of truth I can’t deny. I nod slowly, letting out a sigh. “Okay, you’re right. I’ll wait.”
“Good.” Victoria leans back, looking every bit the queen of restraint and reason.