Page 53 of The Forever One
“You need to tell them I love them.”
Motherfucker.
“No.Youfucking tell them that you love them!” I pull out my phone and it slides out of my hand, the blood making my fingers incapable of getting a good grip.
“Fuck!” I point at Kai and growl. “You fucking hold that shirt to your side and keep your blood inside you. Do not fucking piss me off.” Behind us, Everest groans, slowly turning over, his hand going to the gash on his head making him flinch.
Wiping my hands on my jeans, I dry them enough to be able to use my phone. Enzo answers immediately.
“Get the fuck over here. I need J, her men, for a clean-up and a doctor right fucking now!” I hang up and just as I reach Kai with a towel that was hanging over the back of a chair, I hear Everest gasp and curse.
“What happened? Fuck, Kai! You stupid motherfucker.” With unsteady steps, Everest stumbles over to Kai and leans in to help stop the bleeding.
I run inside and get a glass of water for Kai, thinking I should keep him hydrated.
Then I make the most difficult call of my life.
“Tesoro. How fast can you get here?”
* * *
It feels like an eternity by the time River arrives, but as my eyes scan her from top to bottom, making sure she’s okay, I notice her chest heaving, her nostrils flaring and her legs trembling. She ran here, her adrenaline and fear pushed her to be here as quickly as possible.
“Oh my God. Marco! Are you okay? What’s going on?” I watch my wife as she takes in the scene.
There’s a dead body at her feet, making her beautiful face frown in confusion. Everest and I have laid Kai on his back as we try to keep pressure on his wound and pile on blankets to keep him warm.
“Marco?”
“I’m here, Tesoro. I’m here, Baby.” Fuck, I hate this for her. I hate that my world is causing her pain once again.
Her eyes fall to Kai and she gasps so loud I’m afraid she’ll pass out.
“Kai! Oh gods, no! What happened?” Falling to her knees, she doesn’t know what to look at first since her brother’s forehead is still wide open with a serious gash that needs stitches.
“Everest?”
“I’m fine. I’m fine. Fuck, just… keep him awake, Riv. Keep him awake.” Everest is hurt and doing everything he can to keep his shit together as we both do what we can to keep Kai alive.
The signs, though, are not reassuring. He’s pale, pupils dilated, lips barely able to close.
“Kai, sweetheart, don’t close your eyes. Look at me.” River is kneeled over him, her hands on his cheeks, her face only inches above his as she keeps him focused on her.
“We called for someone, we just need to keep him alert and alive until they get here.” I’m not sure who I’m trying to reassure, maybe everyone.
“Kai, hey. Look at me.” I bend my head to give them a little privacy as Everest begins to silently cry beside me.
“River?”
“Yes, I’m here. You need to stay awake, okay? Can you do that for me? Just, just stay awake okay? Help is coming.” Fuck, my wife is so strong. Her voice barely breaks even though I know she’s dying inside.
“My Psyche.”
River hiccups, but manages to chuckle.
“I told you, you can’t call me that anymore.” But who are we kidding? In this moment, he can call her anything he wants.
“I know…” His words are just air at this point, but he’s fighting to stay alert and I can’t help but respect his will to live. “Marco… we… shook on it.” Fucking Hell. I’m grinding my teeth, trying not to lose my shit.