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“We need to go. I have to be with her,” I interrupt, not wanting to go through the details right now. I need to focus on Ivy.
“Right. Sure, let’s go.”
The ride to the hospital passed in a blur. I don’t remember much of it. All I kept thinking about was my promise to Ivy—and how I had let her down.
Chapter Twelve
Ivy
I drift back to consciousness,fighting the pull of sleep. There’s an annoying beep that I need to tell Connor to turn off. How is a girl supposed to get her beauty sleep when an alarm is going off?
Wait. No. That’s not the alarm. It’s something else.
My eyes flutter open, squinting at the harsh light above me. A wave of pain overtakes me as I wake, causing my breath to catch. I don’t dare move as I wait for it to subside.
“Ivy?”
At the rasp of my name, my head turns ever so slightly to the side. My eyes first lock on a hand that’s holding mine, then trail up to find Connor’s concerned face. His eyes are glittering, as if he’s holding back tears. That can’t be right. I don’t like seeing him upset.
What the heck happened?
I open my mouth, but only a croak of sound comes out.
Carefully, he releases my hand and stands. Again I try to say something, not wanting him to leave, but he doesn’t go far, only taking a few steps to the side table and grabbing a paper cup.
“Here, drink slowly.” He holds the cup up to my lips and I do as he says. The water feels good in my dry mouth.
Clearing my throat after a few swallows, I try again. “What happened?”
“You don’t remember?”
Rubbing my lips together, I try to think back. Everything is a bit of a blur. I remember us leaving city hall and driving home but after that point, it gets hazy.
“No, not really.”
Reaching for my hand again, he intertwines our fingers. He tries to give me a smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. Connor looks pale, and more tired than I’ve ever seen him.
“I’m so sorry, Ivy. I should have done better. I should have done more.”
“What are you talking about?”
Shaking his head, he looks down at our hands. My wedding ring flashes in the fluorescent light. “Rina ambushed us. We knew it was coming, but I thought we had it handled. All planned out.” He hangs his head. “I was wrong…and you were hurt. I’m so sorry, Ivy. I promised you.”
His words echo through my mind.I promise, I protect what’s mine.
“Connor,” I say on a soft exhale. Needing to be closer to him, I try to reach for him but a sharp pain slashes through my stomach. I grunt, abruptly stopping all movement.
“Shit, angel. Don’t move.”
“Then come here,” I huff, trying to catch my breath. I pat the empty space on the bed. I see hesitation on his face, and he doesn’t make a move to join me. “Please.”
That seems to have done it. With slow and controlled movements, Connor stretches out on the small space beside me. I lean forward, trying to school my expression through the pain so that he can wrap an arm around my shoulders.
When I’m finally nestled against his side, I feel like I’m able to take my first full breath. Resting my head on his shoulder, I inhale his familiar scent.
“Connor, none of this is your fault. You did protect me.”
“Not enough,” he adds.
