Page 75 of Savage Rule

Instead, he clears his throat and peers at his fingers as he carefully entwines them with mine.

“What happened?” I ask.

Gunn’s jaw works as he seems to fight his breathing and he sets his gaze upon me, but he still doesn’t speak. It’s fucking unnerving.

“I wasn’t trying to kill myself,” I quickly say, desperate for him to believe me.

“Hurting yourself is just as bad.”

Shame suddenly fills me and I avert my eyes. “I know.”

“You nicked an artery, Scarlet. You didn’t try to kill yourself, but you could have. Everything we did, everything we fucking went through for would have been for nothing.”

A tear rolls down my cheek and he wipes it. “You should have left me and run. It was dangerous to help me. You’re still in danger. It’s not safe for you here, Gunn. Gideon and Luca, they’re going to come for us.”

“Gideon is the one that told me to leave with you.”

“H-he did? Yes,” I whisper, the muddled memory coming back to me. “He stayed behind.”

“He bought us time.” There’s a hint of awe in his tone, as if he still can’t believe Gideon would do such a thing for me.

“Is he okay?”

“I haven’t dared exposure and something tells me he won’t try to contact you.” He pauses as his fingers gently brush my hair aside. “I realize now, he loves you.”

“In his way, I suppose.” I smile. “Knowing him, I’m positive he managed to slip out of Luca’s grasp.” I settle, resting my head once again on the thick pillow. “He’ll be okay.”

“Yes. He’s smart.” Gunn stares at his hands, but I can still see the turmoil inside him. “Why did you do it?”

“Do what?”

“Hurt yourself.” He lifts his gaze back to me, and there’s so much more there than turmoil. There’s pain and worry and something greater than both, but I can’t grasp what it is.

“I…” the words elude me. “I don’t know. It eases something inside me.”

He brings my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles. “I’ve never been so afraid in my life.”

“Why am I so broken?” The words come out choked. A plea to have someone help me underhand why I am this way.

“We’re all broken.”

“No.” I shake my head. “Not like me. I’m completely shattered, Gunn. Am I that weak?”

He gazes at me for a long time as he contemplates what to say. “You have been hit far more than most. And you’ve had to put the pieces together on your own. But I’m here now. We will put them back together.”

“It might take a long time,” I warn him. “I’m scared. What if they admit me?”

“I know. But we need the help”

“I need a shrink, you mean.” I look at the doctor’s name on the whiteboard. “Dr. Davis.”

Gunn nods. “Yeah. Nice guy. We’re going to like him.”

“We?”

“You’re not going through this alone, Peaches. I’m here.”

A smile pulls my lips. He’ll be here with me no matter what happens.

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