I lean closer immediately, one hand still pressing hard against the wound while the other cradles her jaw.
“Hey.”
Come on.
“You promised me something, remember?”
Her lashes flutter weakly.
That’s something.
“You said you weren’t going anywhere.”
A tiny crease forms between her brows.
“There you go.”
I brush my thumb carefully across her cheek.
Grounding myself in the fact she’s still breathing.
Still warm beneath my hands.
“You don’t get to leave now,” I say quietly. “Not after I finally got you back.”
Her breathing stutters.
Too shallow.
The medic checks her pulse again and looks toward the front.
“We need to move faster!”
“We’re already flying!” Miles shouts back from the driver’s compartment.
The vehicle slams through another dip in the road.
Olivia gasps weakly, fingers tightening once around mine before slipping again.
Too weak.
Way too weak.
I grab her hand harder.
“No.”
Her head turns slightly toward my voice.
“Russ…”
“Yeah.” I lean closer instantly. “I’m here.”
Her lips barely move now. “The kids…”
Of course.
Even now.
