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I close my eyes, feeling almost weightless.I wonder if this is what it feels like to die.Wonder if, in the seconds before, all your troubles suddenly disappear, allowing you to go in peace.
“Hang on, son,” my dad croaks out as the sirens draw near.“Help’s almost here.Just hang on.”
“I fulfilled my oath,” I whisper, the strength draining from my body.“I protected her at all costs.”
He chokes out a sob.“Yes, you did.”
I flutter my eyes open, giving my dad a smile before shifting to meet Esme’s tear-stained gaze.My mind races with everything I want to say to her.But I fear I’m out of time.So I stick with what’s most important.
“I love you.”
She vehemently shakes her head, gripping my hand with both of hers.“Don’t you dare die on me, Creed Lawson.You’re not allowed to die.”
Using my last bit of strength, I raise my arm to cup her cheek.“Today.”I drop my hand, no longer able to keep my eyes open.“Tomorrow.”
“Always,” Esme finishes as the darkness takes over, her lips on mine the last thing I remember.
ChapterThirty-Eight
Esme
I pacethe length of the waiting room in the private wing of the hospital, my flats pounding a staccato beat on the polished floor.My hands feel like ice with the uncertainty filling me, despite the sweater I’m wearing.The thick, musky smell of sanitizer hangs heavy in the air, mixed with the sweet aroma of flowers.
I’ve tried everything to keep my brain occupied.Sitting.Reading one of the countless magazines the hospital keeps here to distract worried friends and family members that their loved one could die.Hell, I even spent some time in the children’s room coloring with Marius and Harriet, who rushed to be with me the second they heard the news.
But nothing has been able to distract me from the fact that Creed’s currently on the operating table, his life hanging in the balance.
All because he tried to protect me.
Despite the fact that Creed was briefly wanted for murder, the waiting room is now filled with dozens of guard members, including the General of the Royal Guard himself, all of them here to support Creed’s mother in her time of need.
Based on the anxiety and fear covering her face, she can use all the support she can get.
We all could after everything we learned tonight.No doubt the palace PR team is working overtime handling this clusterfuck.
Which is why I shouldn’t still be here.Should be with my father as he navigates this period of uncertainty.
As he mourns the loss of his brother all over again.
But I can’t pull myself away.Not until I know Creed’s going to be okay.
Thankfully, the bullet that hit his father missed his heart by several inches, and he was out of surgery fairly quickly.The same can’t be said for Archie, or Lieutenant Marcus Williams, who was manning the front gate this evening when Kane paid him a visit.
As tragic as it is that two men lost their lives in the line of duty, all I can think about is Creed, who’s been in the operating room for hours now.
I try not to overthink it.The doctors warned us he was in critical condition and surgery would take quite some time to make sure they didn’t miss any damage.
But with every minute that passes, my mind races with all the possible outcomes, each one worse than the one before.
Needing a break from the crushing weight of losing Creed, I spin on my heels and head toward a set of double doors.
“Where are you going, ma’am?”General Hudson asks, stepping toward me, a silver brow raised in concern.
“To the ladies’ room.I won’t be long.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”Harriet asks, standing from her chair.
I shake my head.“I’ll be fine.”
