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"It’s okay," he soothed "Don’t try too hard Just know that I’ht"

But still, she wanted to see hi nasty tricks on her So she braced herself against the pain and tried harder A sht seared her eyeballs and she pro with exertion and the agony such a sain, this tiht

At first all she saas a blurry haze And then he eous," he said softly

She tried to s to bring him into sharper focus

"Hi," she returned just as quietly

To her utter shock, his eyes were glossy with moisture and he looked like hell He hadn’t shaved, his hair was rumpled and his clothes looked like he’d slept in them

She licked her lips and moaned softly "W-what happened todark "You don’t remember?"

She concentrated hard but it was all a blur "How long?"

He touched her hair, his expression worried "How long what, love?"

"Have I been here"

"Two days," he said

Her eyes widened in surprise despite the discomfort it caused her "Two days?"

"Yes, baby You’ve been in ICU for two days Gave us quite a scare"

"A to be okay?"

It was a question she was afraid to ask but she had to know She wouldn’t hurt this much if it wasn’t bad

His face softened, his eyes going war to be fine I won’t allow any other possibility"

"Sorry," she said with a sigh

His head came back in surprise "What the hell are you sorry for?"

"I overreacted," she said "I shouldn’t have done it I’ to call you but then"

And it was then she re that had happened She sucked in her breath at the impact the oing to die Tears welled, burning her eyes

"Oh, baby," he said in an aching voice "Don’t cry And don’t apologize You have nothing to be sorry for Nothing at all"

"Who were they?" she whispered "Why did they do this? Why do they hate you and Gabe and Jace?"

He closed his eyes and then leaned down, touching his forehead to hers "Let’s not talk about this right now, darling I don’t want to upset you I’d rather talk about howto do to pamper you and spoil you while you recover"

She had to ask another question, had to knohere they stood and if she’d screwed up any chance of theether?"

He smiled So sweet and tender it war pain Relief shone in his eyes

"Bet your ass we are"

Her own shoulders sagged in relief "I’lad," she said softly

"God, baby, it’s torture being so close to you and unable to hold you and kiss you the way I want"

"I’lad you’re here"

"I wouldn’t be anywhere else"

She closed her eyes as fatigue and the pain grew stronger It was beco and she had so many questions She needed answers She needed to know exactly how serious her injuries were For that matter she didn’t even know exactly what they were

"The nurse is here, darling Bear with one"

"Talk to ed "I just want to hear your voice Stay here and tell me what happened and how bad it is I need to know"

He wiped a hand over her forehead as the nurse injected pain ht burn travel up her ar of euphoria enveloped her She felt light and floaty like she was on a cloud The ceiling suddenly seeasped

"Okay?" Ash asked in concern

"’Kay"

He went silent and her eyes fluttered open in panic as she tried to see where he’d gone

"I’ anywhere I proain, woozy and sleepy But she didn’t want to go to sleep Not yet

He kissed her brow "Give me just a second, baby I want to talk to the nurse about you but I’ll be right back Can you stay awake for me?"

"Uh-huh"

She felt hi Fear and panic seeped all the way to her bones Her lips chattered but they were so swollen that it felt weird, like they were ten times their size

Or maybe it was just the medication

Why did it hurt so bad to breathe? It was then she becah her nostrils Her chest was so tight and her muscles ached from head to toe