Page 147 of Vengeful Guard

But all I care about now is Paige. I stand in front of the doctor.

“She’s going to be okay.”

I choke back a sob. “Are you sure?”

“She should recover, although she’s going to need a lot of rest and a back brace. She’s got a hairline fracture on her vertebra, a lot of bruises, and a couple of broken ribs.”

“Jesus.”

“You’re lucky you got to her when you did. She nearly had a collapsed lung from one of the ribs, but we were able to set them.”

“Can I see her?”

The doctor nods. “She may be a little out of it. We gave her pain medication.”

I nod, uncaring, and follow the doctor, trying not to overtake his slow stride.

Paige is sitting up in her back brace, looking awful, when I walk in. They were able to unglue one of her swollen eyes and the glassy green is focused on me.

“Kael.” Her voice comes out so raspy I wonder if it hurts to talk.

“Paige. Princess.”

I want to sweep her up into my arms, but I’m also afraid to touch her, afraid she’ll break.

How had they hurt her this badly in just a few hours?

Murphy’s men are brutal, but this is ridiculous.

“Can I please hold your hand or have you touch me?" she croaks. "I need to make sure this is really you, and that I’m really alive.”

I lean down to kiss the crown of her head, putting my hands on her shoulders.

She tilts her chin up. “Kael." She clears her throat. “I need to tell you something.”

“That can wait, Paige, you need to rest?—”

“No, this is important. I waited long enough. Please.”

“Okay, sweetheart, what’s so important that it can’t wait?”

She reaches for my hand, squeezing it. “I love you. I’m in love with you.”

I stare down at her. “Wh-what?”

Is it the pain medication talking? Is it because I saved her?

“I’m in love with you, Kael. I should’ve told you before.”

My heart does something weird in my chest, but I can’t let myself bask in it. Even if it is the truth, we’re not meant to be. Are we? I want to keep her so much, but…

“Paige,” I start, and then tears start to burn at the backs of my eyes. I’m trembling all over. I don’t cry. I don’t. “You shouldn’t love me.”

I’m not worthy, not good enough. I want her love so bad, To be the man she chooses so bad. To be hers.

She’s got only one eye visible, but I swear she’s glaring at me.

“Too bad. I do.” She lowers her eyes to my chest. “Do you think you can ever love me back?”

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