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“Jane?” His voice is deep and husky and goes right to my core and heart. “Are you there?”
“I’m here. It’s so good to hear your voice. Luke, I was more than worried. I was terrified. I thought I’d never…”
“You don’t have to worry about that now,” he says fiercely. “I’m not going anywhere. Sergei’s going to face justice. We’re free to be together. We can go on dates, real ones, in public.”
“You don’t like the floor?” I ask, my cheeks aching from grinning so hard.
I walk farther down the hallway, not wanting Lois to look out and see me with the biggest, cheesiest smile on my face. I don’t think she’d like it very much. I go to the seating area. A guard is always nearby with eyes locked on me, but he stands at a respectful distance.
“I love it,” he replies, “and you.”
“So you still mean that?”
“I’ll never stop.”
“People will think we’re crazy, you know. We only met a few days ago. Sure, I’ve loved you for years, ever since the crush started, but for you—”
“For me, it feels like I’ve loved you for years. As for the rest of the world, let them think what they want. You’re my PV.”
I sit back, close my eyes, and focus on his voice and the warm relief of the moment. “Is Lily okay?”
“She’s fine. She’s heading to the hospital. She mentioned she wanted to apologize to you, but…”
“What, Luke?”
“On the way home, she put her hand on my arm and gave me this look.”
“Like she wanted to fuck you?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry.”
I bite down and grind my teeth.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have told you,” he says, “but I figured if it were the other way around, I’d want to know.”
“No, you’re right. I’m glad I know. She used to talk about finding a rich man. I’d hear them through the walls. When they were arguing, she’d scream at Axel that she just wanted to find a rich man to feel secure. Maybe she saw you as her chance.”
“Or maybe she’s traumatized and confused, and this was her warped way of seeking comfort.” I sigh, shrugging. “I don’t know. Either way, I don’t care. I can’t have that in my life.”
Suddenly, inexplicably, I almost cry again, or perhaps it’s not so inexplicable. All the heartache has stacked up and fallen, the crash reverberating through me.
“You belong to me, Luke. You’re mine. I know you said you own me, but—”
“You own me too,” he says fiercely. “I was just thinking that.”
“So, is it over?” I ask.
“I hope so,” he replies. “The stuff with the mob, anyway, but us, Jane, we’re just getting started. I’ve got to go. I’m pulled up at the side of the road. The longer we talk, the longer it’ll be before I see you, and I need to see you.”
“Please, hurry,” I say, passion expanding in me. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
A moment later, nurses and doctors are jogging down the hallway. Lois’ voice is raised from the other end, her pain splitting it, making her sadness like a physical object, stabbing me in the heart.
I rise to my feet and rush down the hallway. Lois is pacing outside and gnawing her thumb. I see it when she turns to me, even as she attempts to hide it. There’s a flash of a moment, a passing piece of hate, where she blames me for what’s happening.
I could’ve warned Luke. I could’ve stopped Christopher from getting shot. Her husband wouldn’t be in danger if it weren’t for me. She pushes it down a moment later, but I saw it. I can’t be angry with her about it. I’ve earned that look.
“What’s happening?” I ask.
“He just started to convulse. I don’t know. It was terrible. The whole bed was shaking. He always looks so strong, Jane, but just then, he looked so weak. Almost tiny and childlike.”
I open my arms, wondering if she’ll let me embrace her. When she does, I hold her tightly, praying for her husband.
I cling onto Luke tightly, as if I never want to let go, my hand wrapped around his forearm. The power of his presence is enough to convince me I’m not hallucinating. He’s here. He’s alive. He’s handsome, dashing, and mine. His other arm is wrapped around me, his hand firmly cradling my shoulder. It’s the side with the wound, but he doesn’t care. He doesn’t even mention it.
Lois sits across from us, clinging to her knees. “More surgery,” she whispers, staring at the floor like she’s shell-shocked. There were complications with the last surgery. Now they have to cut him open again and find what they missed.
“If there was time—” Luke starts but then cuts himself off.
Lois looks at him, her sharp features shaped into a glare. “What?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“What, Luke?” she insists.
“I’d take him to a different hospital. The most expensive money could buy. That’s what I was going to say because it’s the truth. I stopped myself, Lois, because I don’t want you thinking that he won’t pull through. He will. I know he will. Christopher is the toughest man I’ve ever met.”
