Page 128 of The Merciless King

“We’ll head to the hospital in the morning to pick her up. Sounds like you need to recover yourself. Take care of yourself, son. We are here if you need us.”

I hung up, and for the remainder of the drive to the hospital where both Amy and Gianna are being treated, I realized my father was right.

I’m drained.

And confused.

Confused about what to do about the woman I am in love with. Someone I should walk away from and stay far, far away.

Yet those hurt eyes of hers had burned a scar on my soul as she locked me out.

I knew this would happen.

That she would hate me for my betrayal. But experiencing it, after admitting to myself how I feel about her, was so much fucking worse than I thought it would be.

Hell, I wasn’t supposed to even like her.

When she stepped into the warehouse tonight, I nearly lost my fucking mind. Saving Amy and those women is probably the proudest moment of my life. At the same time, I betrayed the only woman I’ve ever loved.

First, I need to see my cousin.

Then I’ll think.

I push through the door and Amy is sitting in a hospital bed with a gown on, looking pale and exhausted.

“Hey, Buttercup.” I walk in and her blank stare meets mine. A tear rolls down her face and I hurry to the side of the bed, plonking into the chair. “Hey, hey. You are safe now.”

“You saved me. All of us.” She sobs.

I lift my shoulder. “I had a few days to spare. It was no big deal.”

Her wide eyes just stare at me and it’s clear she’s mentally a mess.

“I thought I was going to die. I wanted to die, Brax.”

Fuck.

“We’ll get you the help you need.” I squeeze her hand. “You’re an adult, but I don’t want you going home to your mom’s.”

She shakes her head.

“I messed up.” She sobs more.

“Don’t, Amy. Don’t. Blaming yourself isn’t going to change anything. Those fucking monsters are all dead. But there are more of them in the world. We will help you to navigate life once you have healed.” I shake my head as I take in the state of her dehydrated skin, the darkness around her eyes, and her almost non-existent fingernails.

The drip connected to her arm is helping to replenish her, but it won’t fix the psychological damage.

Nothing will ever bring the cheerful, innocent little girl we once knew.

“Mom and Dad will be here in the morning to take you home,” I tell her.

“Okay.” She nods and I can see she’s getting sleepy. Likely some drugs they’ve given to calm her. “I’m sorry, Brax.”

“Sleep,” I say as her head tips to the side and nestles into the pillow.

Her eyes close and I stay there, holding her hand for a while. When I leave, I nod to the Barrett Security guard stationed outside.

I walk to the end of the ward and let out a long breath. With Amy safe, now all I can think about is Gianna. Not that she ever left my mind.

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