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Chapter 34
I stare up at the ceiling trying to steady my breathing as the nightmare replays over and over in my mind. I’ve woke up a couple of times, but all I can remember is screaming uncontrollably before drifting back off to dream again. Sleep is easier. I’m safe, protected there by piercing blue eyes that comfort me and keep the nightmares at bay. It took me a few minutes to recognize my surroundings when I woke up and I nearly screamed out again in fear. But seeing Luke Ashton slumped over in the chair next to my bed instantly hushed the anxiety that was working its way up my chest. I grip the edge of the bed, trying to shift my body and flaming heat sweeps across my abdomen. I moan softly, then bite down on my lip to hush my cry, hoping I don’t wake Luke.
His head snaps up quickly, and sleep laden blue eyes pierce mine with a fierce intensity. He scrubs his hand over his face waking himself up before approaching my bed. I stare up at Luke in shocked disbelief. "Hey, sweetheart." He whispers softly. "Try not to move too much. I'll be right back with a nurse." He backs away slowly, his wild blue eyes never leaving mine as he steps from the room.
Luke returns almost instantly with a middle aged man in tow. The man introduces himself as Dr. Hensley and begins to ask routine questions as he checks the monitors. I was out much longer than I realized; over thirty two hours. Dr. Hensley tells me he sedated me twice because when I woke up terror stricken, screaming and crying the nurses couldn’t control me. He said that sleep would be the best cure for the shock and it would allow my body to rest.
Luke sits, then stands, then paces the floor before finally resting himself against the wall. Dr. Hensley presses the stethoscope to my side and I cry out in pain, gripping the sheet tightly in my fist. Luke grumbles low in his throat, taking a step towards me before thinking twice and stepping back in his place. Feeling his eyes on me I peek up through my lashes and suddenly feel naked and exposed as he watches Dr. Hensley’s every move. I want to hide under the covers, become invisible to his piercing glare.
"Stop staring, it's rude," I snap at him. He arches his eyebrow in surprise but his glare never wavers. In fact, he watches me closer with a smirk splayed across his face. If his goal is to make me feel uncomfortable- mission frickin' accomplished.
"Well it appears you're spunky nature has returned." The doctor chuckles. "The bruising is getting lighter. We’ll order an x-ray to check your lungs. How do you feel, Mrs. Moore?"
"Terrible, if I'm being completely honest with you." Inhaling slowly through gritted teeth; talking, hell breathing hurts like a damn bitch.
“That’s to be expected. I’ll have the nurse remove the catheter; that will ease some discomfort. Right now if you feel like walking, that will help work out the soreness and it will also help your lung heal up quicker. Otherwise, stay elevated when you’re resting. Be sure to use the spirometer also. You’re other injuries will heal on their own.”
“When can I go home?”
"A few more days. We'll keep you in intensive care tonight and with better progress we may be able to move you to a regular room tomorrow. Do you have any questions?" I open my mouth to speak then close it quickly before answering, my lips pursing together. Casting my eyes down I shake my head. "Very well then. If you need anything please use the red call button. I'll have the nurse order a meal; best way to regain your energy is by nourishing your body." The doctor tips his head towards me then shakes Luke's hand before exiting the room.
Taking two wide strides towards me, Luke pulls a phone from his pocket and begins to fiddle with it as he sits down.
"Luke?" He hums low in his throat in response to me, but keeps his eyes trained on his phone. "Why are you here?" His eyes snap up meeting mine and I wince seeing the pain that flashes in his eyes. The most beautiful ocean blue irises I've ever saw peer back at me sadly and a twinge of guilt pangs me for insulting him.
"Where should I be, sweetheart?"
"I - I dunno. I just wasn't expecting you to be here. Hell, I wasn't expecting to be here." I stammer around my words.
"You probably wouldn't be if I hadn't got to you when I did."
"How? I only remember calling Colton then everything after that is fuzzy."
"You might've called Colton first but I don't think you got a hold of him because he was underground when that all happened, Savannah. You called me, yelled help then all I heard was the most agonizing screams," his head falls to his palms and he grumbles before scrubbing his hands over his face. "You're safe now, sweetheart."
Pulling in a ragged breath, I twist the sheet between my fingers nervously. "Did you save us, Luke?” He leans closer and presses a feather lite kiss to back of my hand. A streak of light peeks through the room from the bright hallway.
Looking into my eyes Luke mutters, "Not soon enough." He pulls away and his usual ocean blue irises are dark, almost as if there’s a thunder storm brewing in his eyes. Pure raw emotion is all I see in his eyes, so much that it terrifies me and I don’t know why. He steps away from the bed, and leans down to give Carly a hug as Colton wheels her into the room. Without looking back he leaves the room with his shoulders slumped.
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“I’m so glad to see your eyes opened, Savannah. I’ve been so worried about you.” Carly says linking our hands together. Colton gives me a smirk and takes Luke’s place in the chair next to my bed.
“You. You look like shit, Carly.” I snicker then wince as deep heat blankets my side. “Damn it hurts to breath.”
“You’re in really bad shape, Sis. Lucky to be here. If Luke hadn’t got to us when he did, it’s hard telling what would have happened with us. Why did you call him and not nine-one-one?”
“I was trying to call Colton, he needed to get to you and the baby. I don’t even remember calling Luke. Everything is still pretty fuzzy. I don’t even know what day it is.” Suddenly I remember, I have no idea who has my kids. Panic rises up in my chest and my heart thuds loudly in my ears. “Damn it, where are Brailee and Braden? Oh God, please tell me Josh doesn’t have my babies!” I shriek and try to will my legs to move to get up. Colton stands up quickly, ready to take action in case I do have the energy to move, but I don’t.
“Savannah, calm down. They’re with Heidi Jo and Momma. They’re safe.”
I release a pent up breath of air and moan from the burning sensation in my chest. Relaxing back against the bed I ask, “What about Josh? What happens now?” I was lucky enough to get away within a hair of my life this time. I don’t want to have to look over my shoulder every day worried that he’s lurking in the shadows.
“You don’t have to worry about Josh, Savannah. Once the police got statements from the EMT and emergency room physicians he was arrested. With all the charges he has between Black Pike, Simon Energy then this, he won’t see the light of day for a long while.”
“Bastard better thank God the cops got to him before I did, that’s for damn sure.” Carly shoots daggers at Colton and he shrugs, “Don’t give me that look, darlin’. Death would be too gracious for that son of a bitch; he deserves to suffer.”
“I’m sorry, Colton.” I whisper, hanging my head low in shame.
