Page 68 of If Tomorrow Never Comes

“There has to be some way we can get him to a hospital, Killian,” Madison urges. She’s changed into something less macabre. Black sweatpants and an oversized hoodie hide her beautiful curves from me. I grind my teeth, holding back jealousy that they are probably Liam’s. The makeup, blood and grime have been cleaned off her. Her raven colored hair is wet and tied up in a messy bun.

Stunning.

I want so badly to pull her to me and kiss her.No fucks given who’s around to witness it.

She’s my wife—after all.

I’d wrap her up in my arms and tuck her head under my chin. The need to hold her overwhelms me, my chest feels tight having her so close and not being able to reach out to her.

I almost lost her.

Watching Geraldo press a gun to her head awakened a fear in me I never knew existed. I’ve never felt pure, raw, fear the way I did watching him hold her life in his hands. I knew I wouldn’t be able to get to him without her getting shot. I’d gladly have taken my uncle's bullet if I knew I wouldn’t die right there. The thought haunted me, knowing if I didn’t make it, there wasn’t a damn thing anyone could do to help her from the same fate—or worse.

My breathtaking little butterflyhas sacrificed so much for me, for my family. I’ll never truly be able to thank her. But you bet your ass I’ll damn well try.

“What if we make these look more like shrapnel injuries and less like bullet wounds. You can say you pulled me and Madison out of the water while heading back to your yacht?” I recommend, knowing just how badly that will hurt.

The head doctor thinks on it for a minute. “It could work. It will be extremely painful. We don’t have the proper pain management here to help you.”

“Do it.”

“Diego. There must be another way,” Sel reasons.

“No. This is crazy. Is there a way to keep his wounds protected and we can get on a private flight home?” Madison argues. It does make me curious as towhereshe now considers home.

“There is a greater risk of him bleeding out and infection if we go that route,” the doctor sighs, walking over to me and lifting the bandages and gauze covering my thigh. He covers me with a light sheet. “The shoulder needs surgery. Luckily we were able to stop the bleeding. The wound on his leg grazed his femoral artery. Madison’s quick thinking with the tourniquet saved his life.”

My eyes drift to hers as the doctor continues talking. My wife is focused on the doctor, taking in every bit of information. Her brows are pushed together and she’s biting the tip of her thumb nail. Both arms are crossed over her chest and her fingers are clenched into tight fists. Her rings catch my attention, glistening in the light.She’s still wearing my rings.I’m not listening to a damn thing the doctor is saying, way too preoccupied by how adorable and concerned she looks right now.

“My apprehension would be due to the pressure on the plane. He could bleed out over the Atlantic before you even got home. It would be best to receive treatment here and recover before heading back to the States.”

I catch the tail end of the conversation. “Fuck it. Let’s go back. I’ll take my chances.”

Madison angles her body to look at me. “That’s a big risk, Diego.”

“How about we flip a coin. Leave it to chance. Heads we stay, tails we go.”

“This isn’t a fucking football coin toss,Ocean Eyes. This is your life.” She rolls her eyes at me, her cheeks flushing with anger. Of course I noticed her flinch slightly, realizing she slipped in calling me that nickname in front of everyone. Hearing her call me that has the blood rushing below this sheet and giving me a semi.

“Who’s got a coin?” I ask as my little butterfly shoots daggers at me.

I shoot her a wink just to push her buttons. She’ll probably stick her tongue out at me in three..two…There ya go. Her tongue darts out at me as her eyes narrow.Sassy as ever, I see.

“I do.” Liam strolls in, looking clean and refreshed as well. He reaches into his pocket and tosses it to me. I catch it with my good hand.

“Thanks.” I place the coin in Madison’s hand, folding her fingers around it and rest mine on top of hers. “Okay,Mariposita. Heads we go to the hospital. Tails we gohome—wherever that is for you. I told you. Where you sleep, I sleep.” I smirk.

Killian groans his disapproval as Liam lets out a similar sound.

“Oh dios mío,” Selena sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose.

Madison stares at me for a second before turning back to Killian. “Can Diego be transported back to New York to heal? Would we be able to do the surgery at home? That way, Sel can remain in the comfort and safety of her own home as he recovers?”

He contemplates a moment before nodding his head and pulling Selena close to him, wrapping his arms protectively around her stomach. Sel places a sweet kiss on his cheek.

Letting out a sigh, Madison holds the coin out between her and I, then tosses it in the air before catching it and slapping it on the top of her hand. Everyone creeps forward to take a look.

Madison’s eyes go wide. She looks down at the coin and then those gorgeous brown eyes meet mine. “Tails.”

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