Page 153 of Ruthless Heir

There would have been no Vito, and Nolan wouldn’t have thought to use me in such a way. Heck, Nolan and his father would have gotten away with their scheme if I hadn’t meddled. If I hadn’t, Asher wouldn’t be here.

He’d be fine. He’d be his usual amazing self, living his life. God, maybe he would have chosen Alexis. Regardless, he just wouldn’t be hurt. No one can tell me that wouldn’t be better.

Now he’s undergoing lifesaving surgery.

Asher was shot in the back. Not near his spine, but close to his heart. That’s the problem.

When the paramedics got to him he wasn’t breathing and his pulse was extremely weak. I thought I’d lost him.

When they brought him back I promised I would do anything to keep him alive.

We thought Nolan was dead because Josh shot him in the chest but the paramedics brought him back, too. I hear he’s awake and under police supervision.

What a cruel act of fate thathe—the fucking villain—woke up, whereas Asher is still fighting for his life.

I try to breathe through the constriction in my chest but each breath is shallow and hollow. My chest is so tight it feels like it’s caving in on itself.

The buzzing of the fluorescent lights and the distant hum of hospital machines taunt me as badly as that smell.

I glance at the door for the millionth time, waiting, hoping, praying for it to open and the surgeon to come back and tell us Asher is fine. That the bullet didn’t take him from me.

I should be the one in there. Not him.

I wrap my arms around myself, trying to hold in the pieces of me that are breaking.

If I cry again I’ll fall apart completely, and I can’t. Not here when he’s in there.

Josh holds me closer and I look up at him. I know he feels bad, too, especially after he and Asher argued and fought so badly yesterday.

I don’t know what happened between them earlier but they must have figured out a way to work together to save me.

The door opens and I snap my gaze up.

It’s the surgeon.

No one is quicker than me to get up. I was already told that Asher’s family would be getting details first but I don’t care. He is my family.

“Please tell me he’s going to be okay,” I blurt, the tears I’ve been holding back streamline down my cheeks.

The doctor gives me a sympathetic stare, then he looks at everyone else as they gather around him.

“The good news is we were able to extract the bullet,” the doctor explains, keeping his tone measured. “But there is some damage to Asher’s internal organs. We’ve done everything we can for the moment. Now we just have to wait and see.”

His words grip me to my core and the ground feels like it’s being ripped away from beneath my feet.

Wait and see?

No.

That’s not good at all.

The last time I heard those words was with Dad. He never came back.

“What can we do?” Hunter steps forward. “There must be something I can do. He’s my brother.”

“I’m sorry. There’s nothing right now. Asher is still in a coma. The next forty-eight hours will be crucial.”

Asher’s mom breaks down and Preston holds her up. Luc moves to her other side and tries to comfort her.

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