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“What?”
“G-gu…” I’m not dying. It’s too soon. I want to be a father again. To spend decades with Leighton. With Rylan.
I’m fading into unconsciousness, and fast.
Boom.
Leighton!
The godawful sound forces me back into the world. I look at her.
She’s there. Hovering over me, crying and shaking.
It’s an effort, but my gaze slides across her body, nonetheless. There’s blood on her hands where she’s pressing her shirt to my abdomen. She’s topless, I notice just now. Topless and beautiful.
Other than the laceration on her collarbone, she’s unharmed. She’s okay.
Leighton is okay.
What about my daughter?
“Rylan?”
Sirens blare from the distance, coming nearer. Getting louder.
Leighton’s head shoots up. “Thank God.” She’s crying with deep, gut-wrenching sobs. “Marcus, the ambulance is here. Stay with me. A few more seconds and help is here.”
I need to tell Leighton to cover herself up. That her body is mine, even if I die soon.
I need to make sure she’s safe. And to know. I have to know. “Ry?”
“We’ll be okay, Marcus.” Leighton’s eyebrows scrunch together. “Focus on staying alive. On being that mean, psycho bastard who kidnapped me—”
“Took.”
Her laughter is choked by her tears. “Took me. Be that man and stay alive for a little while longer. Can you do that for me?”
“Yes.” I’ll do anything for her.
Even if that means climbing back from hell, I’ll do that.
For her. My Leighton.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Marcus
The antiseptic smell smothers me. I hate it.
Has hated it ever since med school. Hate it worse now when I’m feeling weak and unable to open my eyes.
I hate it. I…
Wait. This isn’t just antiseptic.
I smell daisies.
Leighton.
