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I reet

I should be scared shitless over the fact that I just got stabbed, but I don't have tih apprehensive over the speed hich Luke Carrington struck out atmere hours after Emiel Coppens called him That spoke volumes about the money and power he retains

But, as long as Macy is protected, none of that matters

I just need to be more careful I need to work more swiftly, and I need to have Keith fly very low under the radar Maybe it's the drugs talking, but I'm more determined now than ever to take that fucker down

"This wasn't a ," Macy says, and my stomach flips as I see more of the concern drift away from her eyes and a coldness start to ice her baby blues over "The person who stabbed you knew exactly how to do it Luke was very clear in his orders to just warn you"

"What?" I exclai for astonishment disbelief "No way This was just so to worry over"

"It was Luke" Her voice is firm but flat "He contacted me"

I' in complete dread "How?"

"He had flowers delivered at approxi stabbed With a typed note"

My hand that houses the IV curls tight into the bed sheets Rage starts to fill me "What did it say?"

I give her credit She doesn't look away froets Ditch him so he calls off the hunt"

Reflexively, I squeeze her hand hard It's a desperate attenize exactly what I was et it now

She's saying goodbye to me

"Macy," Iaway froain"

She shakes her head and for the first tiaze drop Her voice quavers still resolute, and it's clear the words are killing her slowly "It's done, Cal I've already called Luke and let him know He'll leave you alone now"

"No," I protest, but she continues right over me

"I' your life at risk because you chose to love someone like me"

I pullit up, I make her look at me I'm pissed and I want her to know it "Don't let him beat us"

"He's already beat us," she says griive you up to ensure your protection He's won"

"I won't stop going after hi toht as well stay with me

Pathetic attempt, I know

Her eyes fill with sadness She leans in to kiss my parched lips When she pulls away, she says, "I've told Luke we're over That means you're safe as of this o after him, it won't be on my conscience"

Those are her last words to me before she walks out of my hospital room

I'm not sure I could be any more pathetic at this moment A stab wound in my back, tethered to a hospital bed by an IV, a catheter shoved upat me with utter pity on his face

"You don't have to stay," Ithe medications to sink me into oblivion

"Man, this is so open when I feel him put his feet up on the side of htly, and pain flares across my back

I wince, but I don't say anything, because truth be told, I'ive e this with Macy

"What's your take?" I ask si her

"Macy's terrified for you She called as soon as she got the flowers Mac was actually on the phone with the police as they called her because they found her business card in your wallet"

"Did she really call Luke and tell him it was over?" Because I hope beyond hope that she was bluffing me about that That would ht thing

"Yeah, she did Mac and I went to your apartment Saw the flowers, the note We took pictures of thee disposal and flushed the note"