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"Hi yourself," he choked out when he was capable of speech "Welco hell out of ain?"

Her lips quivered into a seh it was taking all her strength to remain awake He pulled his forehead froly with his hand

"Go back to sleep, baby I’ll be here when you wake up I swear it"

"Wade?"

Wade roused instantly when Eliza’s voice reached his ears It was a low, husky whisper, but nothing had ever sounded sweeter

"I’? Are you in pain? Do you wantconsciousness the initial time, Eliza had roused a few th to do much more than direct her determined stare at Wade and squeeze his hand She’d held his hand while her tea back asleep after only the first few had gotten to talk to her Wade didn’t knoare of them she had been or if she would even remember their presence

Carefully, Eliza shook her head Then she pursed her lips and Wade leaned forward, knowing there was so she wanted to say He pulled her hand to his lips and siazed at her with so much love in his heart that it was a physical ache

"Thomas?" she rasped out

Wade’s expression tightened "Dead"

Relief washed through her eyes and for a ain to unconsciousness But then she reopened thelossy

"Good," she whispered

"Not happy about you taking a bullet for me," he said in a tense voice that still reflected his vivid ure you would be"

God, she see in and out, not even speaking after her first whispered, "Hi," she seemed more determined to re so stupid again," he demanded, or rather he intended it to be a co her to never frighten hiain

Her smile was crooked now and she squeezed the hand he’d never once let go "Can’t promise that"

Her words were labored and raspy and she sounded as though she were in pain He leaned forward in concern

"Do you need the nurse?" he asked again "You’re hurting, baby"