Beeping woke me. Steady. Rhythmic. A heart monitor.
I tried to open my eyes. My lids felt heavy. Like someone had glued them shut.
“She’s waking up.” Lycian’s voice. Rough. Exhausted. “Get Dr. Rivera.”
Footsteps. Running. Then hands on mine. Warm. Familiar.
“Come on, baby. Open your eyes. Let me see you.” His thumb stroked my knuckles. “Please.”
I forced my eyes open. Bright light stabbed through my skull. I winced. Blinked.
Lycian’s face came into focus. He looked terrible. Dark circles. Unshaven. Hair a mess. But his eyes were the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.
“Hey,” I whispered.
“Hey yourself.” His smile was shaky. Relieved. “You scared the hell out of me.”
“How long?”
“Four days. You’ve been out for four days.” He lifted my hand. Kissed my knuckles gently. “Two bullets.
