The Awakening (Entangled Series Book 1) (20 page)

“No, not me. I’m… different.” Her arms once more came around him as he started climbing the stairs slowly. “It was always going to end in tragedy.”

He pulled her close. “Tonight didn’t. We’re safe.”

She closed her eyes as he made the last turn and started the final set of stairs. His leg was starting to go numb, but he knew it was his task alone to bring her out of the darkness.

“Mike.” She brushed a hand along the side of his face. “I can’t deny it any longer. No matter what happens, I don’t care anymore. Whatever comes, know that I will always love you.”

He stopped at the top of the stairs, the fresh air hitting them both from the open door. His breathing was labored and he was pretty sure he was on the verge of passing out, but he wanted to hold on to the moment and stepped out into the cold winter night.

“Xtina, I’ve loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you. Even before we met. I would do anything to protect you. To ensure that you have a long, healthy, happy life… with me.” He smiled as Jacob rushed over to him. He leaned down and brushed a kiss across her lips before he felt himself spinning out of control and fading off into the darkness he’d been fighting off.

X
tina felt herself falling and cried out, but then she was lifted and caught with strong arms.

“Easy,” Jacob’s voice called out. “Someone help. I’ve got you.”

“Mike?” she asked, wishing her body would respond to her commands. Instead, she lay in Jacob’s arms, useless.

“He’s out. Help is on the way.” She felt him shift and then lay her down gently. “Here,” he called out.

Rose rushed over and started covering her face with kisses. Jacob pulled the dog away gently. “Easy, she’s okay,” he reassured the dog as someone pulled her back.

Xtina turned her head and watched as Jacob worked on Mike. His hands came away covered in blood, causing her to finally be able to move in fear.

She turned over and reached out for Mike’s hand, a few inches from her own. When their hands touched, power flowed between them and she closed her eyes, willing every last ounce of energy into him to allow him to fight.

When she woke next, she was in a soft bed, warm and safe.

“There you are,” Jessie said, leaning over her, looking down at her. “You scared the shit out of me.” Her friend sat next to her and brushed a strand of hair away from her eyes.

“Sorry,” she said. Her throat burned slightly. Then it all came back to her. “Mike?” She tried to sit up.

“Easy.” Jess held her down. “He’s in surgery. They’re pulling the bullet out of his leg.”

“How…” She started to say, then ended up having a coughing fit.

“Here, drink some water.” Jess held up a glass with a straw. She sucked up the liquid and sighed when it cooled her throat.

“How is he?” she asked after a moment.

“I’m not sure. His folks wanted to see you, if you’re up for it?”

Xtina nodded slightly. She shifted, noticing for the first time that she had bandages over the cuts on her skin. She wrapped the hospital gown tighter around her and pulled the blankets up as Jessie piled another pillow behind her head.

“Thanks,” she said before taking another sip of water.

“I saw it, you know.” Jess sat down again next to her. “The message.” She closed her eyes. “The red door, the seven people, the pain.” Tears fell from her friend’s face and dropped on their joined hands.

“I’m… sorry.” She shook her head.

“No, don’t be. I know you sent them. I didn’t understand, but I came, when you called.” She smiled, then laughed. “Talk about some crazy shit.”

Xtina chuckled, then held still when pain shot out from her ribs.

“Oh yeah, the doctor said you have a bruised rib or two.”

“Thanks for the warning.” She moaned and held her chest.

“Sorry.” Jessie stood up. “We’ll talk later, when we’re all together.”

“Who?” she asked, feeling her energy fade.

Jess shook her head. “You won’t believe me if I tell you anyway.” She walked towards the door. “Let’s just say, you’re more powerful than even you knew.” She turned to go, then turned back to her. “Don’t scare me like that again,” she warned, then she smiled and walked out.

She felt her mind turning over with worry about Mike, but waited until his folks walked in. Susan’s face was pale, but she had a smile on.

“Hi,” they both said in unison. “You doing okay?”

Xtina sat up a little more, holding her chest.

“Yes, any word on Mike?”

“The bullet just grazed his side, but the one in his leg,” Rusty said, glancing over at Susan.

“They’re working on taking it out. It lodged in his muscle.” She sighed. “He’ll be fine.”

A doctor walked in and smiled at them. “I was told I could find you in here.” He glanced over at her. “How are you feeling?”

“Fine. Mike?” she asked, feeling her pulse kick in.

“He’s out of surgery.” He smiled. “Came out like a trouper. Good thing it hadn’t gone in far. He should be good enough to be released in a few days.”

She relaxed back and heard both of his parents release sighs of relief.

“We’ll let you get some rest.” Susan walked over and patted her hand. “Is there someone else you wish us to call?”

“No. I have my family here.” She smiled up at them. “Thanks. Keep me posted.”

“We have Rose,” Rusty broke in before they left. “She’ll stay with us until you can go home.”

“Thanks. Is she okay?”

“Yes, just shaken up a little,” Susan said.

Then she turned to the doctor. “Can I see him soon?”

“Well, I want to keep you overnight, but there shouldn’t be too much trouble moving you into his room, once he’s been moved out of post-op for the night. That is if it’s okay with his parents?”

“Yes, of course,” Rusty said with a smile. “I think he’d like that.”

Less than two hours later, she fell asleep, listening to Mike’s heart monitor beep next to her. She’d been wheeled into his room in a bed, but had crawled out of it and sat next to him on his bed. When she got tired, she sprawled next to his good side, making sure not to jostle him.

She woke when the nurses came in to check on him, then again in the morning when his arms wrapped around her shoulders.

“Hey,” he moaned, trying to move.

She held him still. “Easy,” she said, holding him close.

“I’m okay,” he said softly into her hair.

“Yeah, so they keep telling me.” She smiled up at him and noticed that his eyes weren’t quite focused yet. “You’re in pain?”

“It’s better than being out. I’m okay.”

“Sure you are.” She reached for the button to call the nurse, but he stopped her.

“No, give me a moment to be with you.” His arm tightened slightly, causing her to relax into his warmth.

She listened to his heartbeat and closed her eyes.

“Did you mean it?” he asked after a moment. She’d believed he’d gone back under, but now she leaned up and looked down at him.

“What?” she asked, her eyes moving over every inch of his face, wanting to remember everything about him.

“What you said, last night.”

She smiled. “Yes, every word.” She felt her heart swell.

“Tell me again.” He brushed a strand of her hair away from her face. She knew it was probably a knotted mess, but didn’t care.

“I love you.” She felt her breath hitch. “I know I’m not supposed to…”

“Stop.” He put a finger lightly over her lips. “You’re allowed to do whatever you want in life. We make our own paths.” His eyes met hers. “After Cameron, I didn’t think I would be able to trust again. Except for my family. Then you came along.” His hand cupped her face and she enjoyed the warmth of it. “You shook things up, made me look at life from a different angle.” He chuckled, then groaned. “A really different angle.”

She smiled, worry flooding her. His speech was slurred and she could see that he was using up too much energy.

“Rest,” she encouraged.

“Later, I’m not done.” His eyes refocused. “You made me see things, feel things I didn’t know I could. Or even that I wanted in my life. You filled an empty spot, one that I don’t want empty anymore.”

There was a knock on the door and a nurse walked in. “Good, you’re awake. You have a visitor, if you’re up for it?”

He shifted slightly. “Fine.” He glanced back at her. “But this isn’t over.” He smiled. “Now, kiss me before…”

It was too late, Jacob walked in and coughed. “Sorry, I can come back later?”

“No,” Mike said, tugging Xtina down for that kiss anyway.

“I think I’m going to go freshen up.” She dreaded looking at herself in the mirror; she desperately wanted a shower.

“Jessie wanted me to give you this.” He held up a bag. “She’s getting you some food and should be up soon.”

She took the bag, sending up a silent thank you to her friend, then disappeared into the bathroom.

When she peeled the hospital gown from her, she ran her eyes over every inch of her body. Her hair was a rat’s nest, but Jessie had included a bottle of her favorite conditioner and she knew that would soon be resolved.

Her eyes ran lower. Bruises covered her ribs, arms, and legs, like she’d been dragged behind a truck. She even found pebbles in her knees and spent some time picking them out before climbing into the shower.

The hot water hit her and the emotions she’d been holding back spewed free, causing her knees to buckle.

Her mind raced over how close she’d come to losing everything. Mike, herself. Everything. Even before she’d ever really enjoyed life.

She sat on the cold tile floor and let everything out as the hot water cleaned her.

***

“You might as well sit down and spill it,” Mike said, shifting. He held his breath against the pain, but focused on Jacob’s face. He could tell there was a wall of shit heading his way and no amount of bracing for it would ease the pain of hearing what was coming next.

“Well.” Jacob sat and leaned his elbows on his knees. “Looks like the group was a branch of the Humanist Society out of Arizona.” He pulled out a folder that had been tucked under his arm. “We’ve got four of them in custody. Three of them, including William Ray, were killed last night in the fight.”

“And?” He had figured this much already, the part about the Humanist Society being behind it. He’d recognized William Ray right away last night.

“Well, several of them are talking about what they had done to get Xtina back in town.” He shook his head and ran his hand over his face. For the first time, Mike realized that Jacob looked like he hadn’t gotten any sleep yet. “Well, they’re hinting that they had something to do with her parents’ deaths. Mind you”—his eyes met his own— “no one has confessed yet, but they were pretty sure Ray was behind the accident.”

“How… How long had they been here?”

“It appears only a few days. They were setting up a more permanent place less than twenty miles from here.” He looked down at the notes. “They were going to take ‘their mother’—Xtina—to the location and start a new branch of the society with her as their mother.” He threw down the folder. “Christ almighty.” He shook his head. “Talk about crazy.”

Mike chuckled and then instantly regretted the move when his side started burning.

“You doing okay?” Jacob leaned forward, concern flooding his face.

“Yeah.” He shook his head. “Guess I could go for some more meds.” He reached for the button to call the nurse, but Jacob beat him to it.

“Thanks.” He waited. “I mean it. For last night… for everything.”

This time it was Jacob who laughed. “When you’re feeling better, we’re going to have a talk about the other kind of crazy shit that went down last night.”

He nodded, just as a nurse walked in. “Later,” he promised, then Jessie walked in, carrying a bag of fast food.

He almost laughed when she skirted around Jacob with a frown.

“Hey.” She smiled at him. “Is Xtina in the shower?”

He nodded, already feeling the medicine flooding in his veins.

“Is it okay if I stay and wait for her to come out?” Jessie asked, her eyes moving to Jacob.

“Sure,” he said, his speech already slurring. “Be nice to my brother,” he said before clocking out.

When he woke, Jessie and Xtina were sitting across the room, talking in low tones.

“Hey,” he said, clearing his throat.

They both rushed over to him. “How are you feeling?” Xtina asked.

“Much better.” He realized he was feeling pretty good.

“Your parents are back. They went and got some sleep last night.”

“Good.” He pulled her hand up to his lips and kissed her. “There are some things we have to talk about.”

“I’ll go get them.” Jessie started to leave.

“Make sure you come back. You’ll want to hear this too,” he said.

When everyone was crowded into the small room, he glanced around. Xtina looked back to her normal self, albeit still a little pale. She’d changed into a thick pair of black leggings with a long purple and gray sweater over it. She’d tied her hair up into a long braid that flowed over her shoulder. She’d even applied some makeup, probably to hide the circles under her eyes and the bruises he could see hiding underneath.

He pulled her closer to his good side before opening his mouth to start relaying the information Jacob had given him earlier that day. His parents and Xtina listened patiently while he talked. Jessie, however, interrupted occasionally with questions, most of which he didn’t have the answers to.

“When are they going to let me go home?” he asked after he was finished and the room remained silent.

“If they can get you up and walking with those”—Xtina nodded to the crutches leaning against the wall— “sometime tomorrow.”

He nodded, then started to toss the sheets aside.

“No.” She shook her head. “Food first.” She stopped him from standing. “Take it slow, there’s no hurry.”

He relented when he felt his stomach growl. “Okay.” He moved his good leg back onto the bed.