Stars flared white, then darkness bled in at the edges.
Noises around her were muffled as if underwater. Her tongue was thick in her mouth, and she tasted copper and the bitter edge of industrial chemicals. Freezing metal pressed against her cheek.
Voices tangled above her.
“—happened so fast?—”
“—liability—”
“Ivy?” George’s voice, sharp but oddly distant. “Is she all right?”
Not are you all right? Justis she. As if she weren’t in the room. As if she were already gone.
Fury tried to rise, smothered by nausea. Her head was too heavy.
Then someone dropped beside her, blocking the harsh light. A voice, low and reassuring, cut through the chaos.
“Don’t move, Ivy. I’ve got you.”
Ryder.
7
Ivy blinkedand Ryder’s face swam into focus.
One hand slid beneath her neck, the other careful but sure as he checked the spot where she’d hit the pipe. His touch was clinical—yet impossibly gentle. She focused on that steadiness, not the way the world still wobbled at the edges.
“Can you tell me your name?” His mouth was so close the warmth of his breath tickled her skin.
“Ivy. Lady Ivy, if we’re being formal. Though I think we’re past that now.”
His mouth curved, the faintest smile. “Good. That’s good. Do you know where you are?”
“Offshore rig. Deepwater Vega.” She tried to push herself up, but his hand on her shoulder kept her still.
“Easy. Stay down.” His hand shifted, blocking the light as he checked her pupils. “Any double vision? Nausea?”
“Nausea, yeah. Vision’s fine.” Her eyes tracked his face as he worked. “You don’t have to fuss over me.”
“Not fussing.” His voice was gruff. “Just checking you’re not more banged up than you let on.”
The plain honesty in his voice caught her off guard. No one had worried about her wellbeing without an agenda in—she couldn’t remember. She was always the one others leaned on—never the one allowed to fall.
Behind her, George’s voice drifted. Apologies for his sister’s clumsiness, as if she weren’t even there.
Jack’s face appeared over Ryder’s shoulder, ruddy and concerned. “You alright, sweetheart?”
Ivy shut her eyes, focusing on getting the words out.
God, she was dead beat tired.“Yeah. I think so.”
She opened her eyes, and Jack nodded, squeezing Ryder’s shoulder. “Knew she was tough.”
“Let’s get you up.” Ryder helped her to sit. “Think you can stand?”
Ivy nodded, and with his hand under her elbow, pushed to her feet even though her knees quivered like water.
Sinclair appeared, all brisk efficiency. “Let’s get her to the first aid room. It’s just five minutes from here.”
