Would the fallout from his relationship with Renee ever end?
“We’re clear!” Keaton yelled through the door. “Roark and Dash are bringing the medivac team down now. They’re on the roof, ready to go.”
“Thank fuck.” He dropped his head. Pressed his lips against Lory’s ear. “You hear that, Lory? They’re coming for you. They’re going to take care of you. Everything is going to be all right.”
In moments the room was filled with people, someone took over from him, and he moved back and watched as medical bags were opened, needles were inserted and Lory was lifted from the floor to a gurney. Staggering to his feet, he followed when they wheeled her out of the room.
At the elevator, Ry grabbed his arm. “You can’t go with them.”
Jake didn’t take his eyes off Lory. “I’m going as far as I can,” he said before stepping into the elevator.
He put his hand on her forehead, bent to whisper in her ear. “I love you. Mad loves you. Please. Don’t give up. Don’t let her take you from us. She’s taken enough. Fight, Lory. Fight hard.” Before he pulled away, he dropped a kiss on her temple.
The second the doors opened on the roof, the gurney burst forward like a sprinter in the hundred-meter race at the Olympics. Standing back, he watched as they loaded her in the chopper. Watched as everyone scrambled in around her, the doors closed, and the bird lifted off.
A hand on his shoulder jerked him around. Ry stood beside him. “C’mon, Jack’s got a car ready to take us to the hospital. Maryn, Fletcher, Keaton, and Dash are staying here with the kids and Penny. Everyone else is heading to the hospital to wait for news.”
He nodded. It was all he could manage. He felt numb, his limbs like lead as he walked back into the elevator. He’d never forgive himself if he didn’t get the chance to tell Lory he was sorry and know she heard him.
22
Mallory let out a groan and leaned into the physical therapist on her right side, taking her weight off her left leg.
“You’re doing great!”
She gritted her teeth at the cheer in Stacey’s voice. She knew the woman meant well and it was her job to keep her patients’ spirits up while she inflicted agonizing pain.
Blowing out a breath, Mallory admitted, “If I had full feeling back in this leg, I’m sure I’d have killed you by now.” She breathed in. Breathed out. “As it is, I’m thinking about doing it anyway.”
Stacey laughed. “If I had a dollar for every time someone said that—”
“You’d still be here inflicting pain.”
“Yeah, probably. It’s good pain though. It means you’re healing, that we’re bringing those nerves and muscles back to life.”
“I know I should be glad they saved my leg but right now, covered in sweat and wanting to vomit, I can’t get there.”
“You will. Just as you’ll get full feeling and motion before you finish with therapy.”
“Exactly how many more months of torture will that be?”
“I’m going to estimate six.”
“Six more months of daily sweats and vomiting?”
“Are you still being sick after each session?” Stacey eased her into the wheelchair the nurse brought over. “I can see if your doctor will give you something for that if you want.”
“No. I’m not tossing my lunch every day anymore.”
“That’s because you come here before lunch. Are you able to eat anything after our sessions?”
“A few hours after. Not much but it’s enough. And by dinner I’m fine and eat like I haven’t eaten in a month.”
“Good. Good. At least you’re only suffering the nausea for a few hours after.” Stacey nodded at the nurse behind Mallory. “She’s ready to head back to her room. I’ll see you tomorrow, Mallory.”
“As much as it pains me to say this, yes, you will.”
“Take it easy the rest of today. We worked that leg hard this session. I think it’s the hardest we’ve pushed so far.”
