Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 48700 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48700 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Riley squeezes my shoulder. "She'll be okay, Memphis. Give her time," she says.
I inhale deeply, trying not to choke on fear. I'll give her every fucking moment I have if that's what it takes. I'm not leaving this room until she does.
It's a goddamn miracle we even found her. But Cash knows everyone in Nashville. He had every cop in the city searching for the van. As soon as they spotted it on the traffic cams, Cash knew. We were already on our way when Venom almost hit another car.
We pulled up a few minutes behind the first cop. How the fuck I'm not in jail right now, I don't know. No one was keeping me from Kylie, least of all some goddamn traffic cop. The bastard tried, but I went through him to get to her.
Explaining why he kidnapped her was harder. I'll owe Cash for the rest of my life for not telling them what I did. As far as the cops are concerned, Venom's brother died when the Reapers attacked my MC, and Venom wanted revenge. Since I'm the only motherfucker who survived the attack, he came after me. I don't fuckin' care anymore if everyone in this city finds out who I was back then. All I care about is the girl lying in that bed.
And, hell, maybe it's time they know. Maybe it's time I stop trying to run from it, stop trying to bury it, and throw the goddamn doors open wide. I am who the fuck I am. I can't change it. I can't take it back. But I'm not that man anymore. If that's not good enough for them, then fuck it.
"Do you need anything, Memphis?" Riley asks quietly.
"Nah," I say, clearing my throat. "I'm good."
She sighs, and I know she doesn't believe me. But I don't try to reassure her, either. Frankly, I'm not fine. I won't be until Kylie is.
"I need to run," she says reluctantly, "but I'll be back soon to check on you guys."
"Thanks, Riley." I pause, my throat tight. "For everything."
She and Cash have been a godsend. They've been here every day, sitting with me, holding me together. Priest and his girl, and Winter and Ronan have visited too. Everyone I know has stopped by to offer their support.
It's overwhelming to realize just how many people give a damn. Most of the people in my life had never even met Kylie before the accident, but they love her because I do.
That's loyalty. That's friendship.
I'd almost forgotten what that was like.
"You don't owe us a thank you, Memphis. It's what friends do. They show up." She squeezes my shoulder again and then her heels click across the floor before fading away, leaving me alone with the steady beeping of Kylie's heart monitor.
I watch her chest rise and fall, so fucking grateful for every breath she takes. But it isn't enough. I need those eyes on me. I need that smart mouth giving me hell. She's so fucking small and vulnerable in this bed.
"Wake up, Toto," I whisper softly, brushing my hand gently down the side of her face, being careful to avoid the cuts and bruises there. The simple touch sends shivers through me as memories of her laughter and warmth flood my mind. "I need you to wake up so I can breathe again, baby. So long as those eyes are closed, my world isn't going to spin."
She doesn't move.
A guttural groan breaks from my lips, agony ripping through me. Guilt and grief crash through me in a tsunami of regret, threatening to tear me apart as I press my head to her stomach again. She's lying in this bed because of me, because of what I did to Venom's brother.
"I'm so fucking sorry I did this to you."
For twelve years, I've never regretted the choice I made or the things I did back then. But now? Now that regret is eating me alive.
If I could turn back time, I'd change everything. Anything to keep her from suffering like this.
The thought of her leaving me over this breaks my soul into a million pieces, but I won't blame her. It's what I deserve. She almost died, and it's my fucking fault. If I have to spend the rest of my life without her in punishment for my sins, well, at least I knew what heaven tasted like at least once in my life. I'll live on the memories of her forever.
My hands tremble as I reach for her hand, gripping her fingers. I haven't prayed in years, but now… Christ, now, I'm desperate. Closing my eyes, I send up a silent prayer.
Please, God. Don't let me lose her.
Chapter Fifteen
Kylie
Istand on the side of a massive stage, the electric energy of the crowd vibrating through me as I watch Memphis performing with his band. He's a force to be reckoned with as he counts off with his sticks held over his head before launching into the next song. He plays as if he were born to do it.