Page 73 of If Tomorrow Never Comes

“What does?” she asks nervously, her hands roaming around my body for any sign of discomfort.

I rub her arm reassuringly. “Not having anywhere to be at the moment. No enemies lurking at our backs. No flights to catch. You’re here, safe in my arms. It feels weird to be so calm right now.”

“It does.” She nods in agreement against my chest.

“It won’t last,Mariposita. I wish it would, but you know it won’t.”My sister’s words are circulating in my brain, making me doubt myself. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

“I could do without all the violence…and being the main target in everyone’s issues…but yeah, I think this is what I want. Being with you makes me feel strong. I like the woman I’ve become. The woman I am when I’m with you.”

I place a kiss on the top of her head and close my eyes. “I do, too. She’s sexy as hell. I can’t wait to train you. Then you’ll feel stronger than you ever have. Plus, you’ll need your endurance for the things I have planned for you,” I tease while giving her ass a good slap.

“Oh yeah?” Her breathing accelerates, and her voice is raspier with lust. Like what?”

“You’ll see when we get back to the island,” I promise, the words coming out weaker than intended. The desire to fuck my wife and the desire to sleep are neck and neck right now.

Sleep wins,Goddamnit.

The last thing I feel is Madison smiling against my chest.

For the first time in my life, I feel at peace.

“Madison. Baby, wake up.”I shake her gently. She looks so peaceful right now, and I am about to destroy that in the next few minutes. How badly I wish it wasn’t me to do this to her. Killian even offered to do it for me, but I knew I had to be the one here when she falls apart. I willalwaysbe here for her when she falls apart.

I’m part of the reason she’s about to.

Confused, sleep-filled eyes meet mine as she lifts her head offhischest. I reach out and cup her chin in my hand. “Sweetheart, I need you to get off the bed so the doctors can take a look at Diego.” I keep my voice as calm and benign as possible.

Those eyebrows that hold so much emotion pinch together in confusion. That’s when the severity and reality of the situation hits her.Hard. She glances down at a pale and bluing Diego. Luckily, his eyes are closed. Panic sets in as Madison runs her hands over his chest, feeling the chill and rigidity of his skin and the absence of a heartbeat against her palm.

My own heart stammers and starts to break, cracking right down the center watching her hyperventilate with tears springing to her widened chocolate eyes.Baby. I just want to hold her right now. Take all the pain away from her.

“No! No. No. Diego don’t you fucking dare!” Her hand comes down onto his chest with a slap. She straddles him on the bed, leaning over to administer compressions. Her back heaves as she puts everything she has into getting his heart to start back up.

“How did this happen? How long has he been like this for?” she screams, turning her head around to look at me and the medical staff in the room.

I take a cautious step forward, placing my hand on her shoulder. “Mad. He’s gone, baby.” Thunder cracks outside and lightning illuminates the room, casting a glow on her pale face. “I need you to let the doctors move in and do what they need to do.” I give her a gentle squeeze, rubbing my thumb along the top of her shoulder blade.

She glances around the room, recognizing the lack of lights lit and all of the vital monitors and IV machines unresponsive. Another clash of thunder vibrates the walls as the blue light illuminates the tears staining her face.

My heart breaks even more.

“The powers out,” she states simply, void of any emotion.

I reach under her armpits, tugging her back and attempting to get her off his dead body. Her hand comes up to shove at my chest. “No. I didn’t even get to say goodbye!” Lowering her head, she lays her head on his chest. “I’m not ready to fly,Ocean Eyes,” she sniffles. “Come back.”

“Mrs. De La Cruz. We understand this is a very traumatic time for you. We do need to step in now and start post mortem on your husband.” The older, graying doctor from the plane places a gentle hand at her back.

Madison’s shoulders vibrate with silent hysterics, an impending breakdown vast approaching. Tears spring to my own eyes hearing them call her his surname, destroying whatever was left of the strength I had walking into this room.

I attempt to get my shit together. She needs me right now. My own feelingsbe damned. Let her fight me, punish me with her words and fists.

Reaching past the doctor, I pull her off him. She doesn’t resist like I assumed she would. Instead, Maddy spins around in my hold and circles her arms around my neck tightly, pressing her chest against mine. I adjust her, swinging her legs up and cradling her to my chest. Her head comes down and she buries her face into my shirt. A dark blanket of hair hides her face as her back shivers and the dam breaks. My shirt quickly becomes soaked in her tears.

I lead us out of the room and over to the hallway where Selena and Killian are waiting. Kil has a whimpering Selena tucked under his arm, running a soothing hand up and down her back. He removes his hand briefly, reaching out to touch Madison, but I shake my head. Reading my face, he pulls his hand back and presses a flashlight into my hand.

“We’ll meet up with you in a bit,” he whispers. I nod in agreement.

Taking the steps one at a time, I descend the staircase, walking us down a flight to our…tomybedroom…you know what I mean…to whatever the fuck titlethebedroom is we once shared. Before we get to the room, I place a kiss on the top of Madison’s head.

---