Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 154595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 773(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 773(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
“I fucking saved her, you idiots. And you’ll have to kill me to get me to leave her.”
“That can be arranged,” Sampson said in a low growl.
There was a strained silence and she knew she better stop this from escalating further.
“Jenner,” she rasped.
“Maeve? You’re awake?” Jenner said.
“Obviously she is,” Gray snarked. “She’s talking.”
“You shut up!” Sampson snarled.
“Hey, get away from her!” Gray ordered. “One of you could have been the one who put her in here.”
“Why the fuck would we do that?” Sampson asked.
“How do I know? I don’t know you fuckers. But she was under your protection and look what happened. All I do know is that I saw someone climb from the pool and she was lying face down in it. Not. Fucking. Breathing.”
What?
Is that why she felt so terrible? She attempted to open her eyes. She’d nearly drowned? Why couldn’t she remember it? She wracked her brain, searching for any sort of memory, but nothing came to her.
“Why would anyone do that?” Immy asked. “I don’t understand why someone would hurt Abe and try to kill Maeve.”
Someone hurt Abe? Was he all right?
“What is going on in here?” a sharp female voice asked. “Why are you all yelling? You’re going to wake my patient up, not to mention all the other patients you are upsetting. Unless you calm down, I’m going to kick you all out.”
“Our apologies, ma’am,” Jenner said smoothly. He’d always been the charmer.
“Oh. Oh my gosh, you’re Jenner Knight. I love your music.”
Everyone loved Jenner.
“I always love to meet a fan,” Jenner said. “I’m sorry we were so loud. We’re just upset that our friend nearly drowned. Perhaps I could go have a talk with the director about a healthy donation to your fine hospital? You’ve been taking such good care of my friend. And I’d be happy to sign autographs if anybody wants one, of course.”
“Oh my God. Everyone is going to be shocked when they see you.”
Their voices quietened and Maeve managed to get her eyes open. “W-what’s happening?”
Sampson, Immy, and Gray all turned to look at her.
“Where am I? What’s going on?” Fear flooded her, her pulse raced.
“Everything’s all right, Maeve,” Immy tried to reassure her, taking her hand. “You’re fine.”
“B-but what’s going on? Why am I here? Did someone say that I drowned?” Fear filled her. The sensation of not being able to breathe overwhelmed her.
“Maeve, you’re all right. Just breathe,” Sampson urged.
“You’re safe,” Immy added.
But she didn’t feel safe. She felt like she couldn’t breathe. She clawed at her throat. Why was it tightening up? Why couldn’t any oxygen get through?
Immy was suddenly lifted and gently put to one side.
“What the fuck? What are you doing?” Sampson snapped.
But Gray didn’t pay him any attention. Nope, all of his attention was for her. He placed a gentle hand on the front of her chest. “Girl, look at me.”
“I don’t like him calling her girl,” Sampson muttered. “Like he can’t fucking remember her name.”
“Hush, Sampson,” Immy said. “Let him see if he can help.”
“Why could he help her? Who the fuck is he?” Sampson asked.
“Her boyfriend, apparently,” Immy replied.
“Maeve doesn’t have boyfriends,” Sampson said.
“Listen to me, girl. Ignore them. You’re going to breathe, understand me? No, no. Don’t you dare look away. You’re going to be a good girl and listen to me. You want to be my good girl, don’t you, Maeve?”
She nodded. She wanted that so much, but her lungs were starting to burn and she was scared.
“Then listen to me. Do as you are told and breathe.” He took hold of her hand and held it to her chest. “You’re just having a panic attack. You can breathe. Just concentrate on what you can feel and see and hear. In. Hold. Out. Breathe.”
It was as though her body didn’t dare disobey him. She managed a gasping breath. It was small and unsatisfactory, but also a huge relief.
He gave her a nod of approval. “I knew you wanted to be my good girl.”
She didn’t know why he was saying that. He’d never talked to her this way before. But that didn’t matter right now. Because all she wanted was to take another breath and have him look at her with that shining approval in his gaze.
Jenner walked back into the room. “What’s going on?”
“Shh,” Immy said. “This guy is working his magic on Maeve. And it’s beautiful.”
Immy could be crazy sometimes.
“Another breath, girl. No, listen to me. Don’t be naughty. That’s it. In. Hold. Out. And again.”
She frowned. Why didn’t she get a good girl that time?
“No more good girls until you’ve settled down and are breathing properly.”
What? That was so mean! Like limiting her Pop-Tart intake. But she had to admit she did work hard to get her breathing under control.
“That’s it. In. Out. And again. Well done. In. Hold. Out.”