Page 262 of Maddening Fixation

I shoved aside anything blocking my path.

Crates crashed against the walls. Chairs splintered under my force.

The noise echoed through the warehouse, but I barely heard it.

All I could hear was the faint sound of her breathing.

Too weak. Too quiet.

Men rushed out from nearby rooms when they saw me.

Their expressions changed immediately.

They had never seen me carry anyone like this.

Not like she was something precious.

“Boss—”

One of them stepped forward.

I turned my head sharply.

“Stay back.”

My voice carried enough warning to stop everyone.

My grip tightened around Juliet.

I pushed through the main doors and stepped into the cold night air.

The ambulance lights flashed ahead.

Red. Blue.

Cutting through the darkness.

The paramedics rushed toward me immediately.

“Sir, we need to take her.”

For a moment...

I couldn’t let go.

My arms tightened instinctively.

I could feel the faint rhythm of her heartbeat against my chest.

A heartbeat that might disappear because of me.

A heartbeat I had nearly destroyed.

Then I forced my fingers to loosen.

I handed her over.

The paramedics moved quickly, placing her onto the stretcher and securing her.