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Just when it looked like Pete was going to play things smart and surrender, he picked up a hammer that was lying on the floor beside him and threw it at Tom.
Tom fired a single shot.
Pete dropped.
Fin shoved past Tom and ran to Chloe.
Her eyes were closed, her color bad, sweat dotting her forehead. “Chloe?” He brushed the back of his hand across her cheek.
“Fin?” Her eyes opened slowly, then fell closed, before opening again even slower than the first time.
“I'm right here,” he promised. He leaned over and kissed her forehead, then pressed his fingertips to her wrist to take her pulse. It was weak and erratic. Just as Savannah’s had been when he’d treated her on the floor of Taylor’s parents’ house. And just like Savannah, it looked like Chloe had a broken bone. Her arm was swollen, red and already bruising. Pete had hit her with the hammer, breaking her humerus.
Tom appeared beside them and began to untie the straps that bound Chloe to the table. “Avery and Taylor are okay.”
“Fin?” Taylor called out.
He knew that she wanted him, but right now Chloe was his only concern. “Chlo? Are you hurt anywhere other than your arm?”
“No,” came the soft reply; pain laced her voice, and all he wanted to do was pick her up and hold her and make everything better.
“Are you sure?” She looked like she was going into shock so she could have other injuries she wasn't aware of.
She gave him a small smile that eased some of his worries. “I'm sure, Fin.”
“You scared me to death. When I found you unconscious at Taylor’s parents’ house, my heart stopped. Then when I woke up and you were gone …” He trailed off. He couldn’t even verbalize those feelings without them coming flooding back.
“I'm okay. I promise.” She reached for him with her good hand and found his, interlacing their fingers.
Tears filled his eyes.
He had almost lost her.
Now he had her back, but he wanted all of her back.
He wanted her to be his again.
He wanted to be hers again.
“I need to splint your arm,” he told her. Before he could get overwhelmed, he needed to do something that didn't require him to think. For the next few minutes, he was able to hold it together. He managed to tune out Chloe’s pitiful whimpers as he put the splint on.
When he was done, he just stared at her.
There was so much he wanted to say.
So much he wanted to tell her.
But right now, there was only one thing that seemed too important to wait.
Although he knew he shouldn’t move her, he gathered her into his arms and held her as tightly as he dared.
“I'm so sorry. For everything. I love you, Chloe.”
She nestled her head against his neck and wrapped her good arm around his shoulders. “I love you, too, Fin.”
The tears he’d been holding back earlier began to flow.
*****
