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No. This couldn’t be happening. It would be impossible to survive a fire like that and just walk away. It wasn’t true.
“Check again,” I huffed, my breath coming out in spurts.
“Nova, I—”
I gripped his jacket in my fists, trying to shove him, but he barely moved an inch. “Check again!” I screamed at the top of my lungs. My body felt like it was on fire but freezing all at the same time. This couldn’t be happening.
Sobs racked my entire body, and Delove wrapped his arms around me as I shook uncontrollably. This had to be a dream. It just had to be.
*****
The sun peeked through the blinds, and my eyes fluttered open as I laid my head on Cian’s bed, next to his torso. Fingers trailed through my hair, and I turned to face him, my head foggy from lack of sleep. I blinked a few times and found his eyes on me, a grin on his face.
I shot out of my chair, tipping it over. “Cian!” Tears welled up in my eyes, a mixture of happiness and relief. He reached for my hand, and I hovered over him, pressing kisses all over his face. He laughed, the sound filling my heart with pure joy. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”
“You looked so peaceful, little star.” His face softened as he trailed his fingers over my cheek.
“I was so worried. If I lost you…” I bit my bottom lip to stop my tears. God, I was so sick of crying. The emotional turmoil over the last forty-eight hours was enough to make me a blubbering mess.
“Shh, come here.” He winced as he scooted to the side.
“The doctor said not to…”
“Fuck the doctor. I need you. Now,” he growled and lifted his arm up.
There was no point in arguing with him; I knew better than that by now. I carefully got on the bed and squeezed in next to him, avoiding his bandages. His skin burned against mine, and I squeezed my eyes shut as I held onto him gently. There was nothing I wouldn’t do for this man. Lie, steal, even kill if I had to.
“What a fucking mess. Fuck, I should have known Milliani was bad news.” His face twisted in anger, and I sighed. She’d played her role perfectly—the caring friend, the heartbroken woman, the good employee, the potential girlfriend. Never had I ever doubted her sincerity.
“There was no way to know, Cian. None of us could have known. Don’t even think about blaming yourself for what she did.” The heart rate monitor speed ticked up, and I angled my head to look into his eyes. “All that matters is that you’re safe now. I was so fucking scared, Cian. I thought I had lost you.” Tears spilt down my cheeks, landing on his chest.
“There were more men than we had realized.” He clenched his fists, his nostrils flaring. “Harvey… I should have fought harder.”
“Don’t.” I cradled his face in my palms, staring deep into his eyes. “You did what you could. You can’t blame yourself.”
He nodded, pressing his forehead against mine. The other half of my soul was right here, and I would never lose him again.
“Can you get me some water?” He pulled back and coughed.
“See, already back to bossing me around.” I pressed my lips against his and glanced at the side table. “Be right back.”
His hand held onto mine as I tried to stand, and I stopped at the look in his eyes.
“We’ll get through this, little star. Just like we always have.”
My heart thudded at the promise in his eyes, and I gripped his hand back.
Juliet was standing outside his door, and she waved as I got closer. “How was your rest?” She squeezed me into a hug.
“Good, but I think I need twenty more hours.”
“Got your purse.” She held up my bag and wiggled it, and I threw it over my shoulder.
“Thanks, Jules. How’s Eros?” We walked towards the kitchenette near Cian’s room, and I grabbed an empty pitcher.
“Oh, he’s doing fine. Complaining about the bullet that grazed his ass, and how it will never look the same. So, yeah, back to normal.” She chuckled and rolled her eyes. “Agent Delove said he wanted to speak with us after everyone was awake, but I haven’t seen him around this morning.” She looked around the kitchen.
She didn’t know yet.
