Page 113 of Broken Bonds

When he moves, Van takes his place.

“Give ‘em hell, Princess, but show them the woman we all love so much so they can love you as much as we do. And tell Rion he has good ideas forJinx, so get to work,” he says with a silly grin that makes me laugh before he kisses me like he used to.

He steps over with Rule and Ollie. And then Lake is in front of me. The last piece of my heart and soul.

“Will you read my letter, Petal?” he whispers, nose pressed to mine as he looks deep into my eyes.

“Yes,” I whisper back, tears falling down my cheeks.

“Tell Link I’m sorry and I love him. And tell him I said to fuck you silly when you’re all better,” he says, the biggest grin on his face as laughter dances in his eyes.

I snort and smack his chest, making him laugh.

“They already love you, Petal. It's not like it’s hard. You’re pretty loveable. Maybe don’t scare the big one like this again, though. We can feel his turmoil all the way in the afterlife. I love you, Omega.”

“I love you, too. All of you, so damn much.”

He kisses me, and when he does, I feel electricity zinging through my veins and everything around me gets fuzzy when I pull back. Before the world fades to black again, Lake whispers in my ear, and a giant smile spreads across my lips as I nod. Then they’re gone and I’m back in the void.

ChapterThirty-Eight

RAMSEY

“Why hasn’tshe woken up yet?” I hear someone say, but I can’t open my eyes.

They’re so heavy.

“It’s just a waiting game now. Whenever she’s ready. It’s all up to her.”

I try to move my arms, legs, a freaking toe, but nothing.

It feels like lead weights are tied down to every part of my body, making it difficult to even twitch a muscle.

I’m also tired.

So tired.

I’ll just… rest for a little longer.

Yeah.

* * *

“Come on, Baby Doll. Open your eyes. I need to see those pretty greens, and you have three little ones waiting to meet you. Please open your eyes, baby,” Forde sobs against my hand, his tears falling onto me.

Come on. Move!

Finally, I get a finger to twitch and Forde gasps at my side.

“What? What is it?” Rion asks, concern bleeding into his tone.

“Her finger moved! Come on, Baby Doll. We’re all right here waiting for you to open your eyes.”

It takes so much effort, leaving me feeling exhausted despite having been out for however long it’s been, but finally, my eyelids flutter before slowly opening. The brightness of the room makes me wince and immediately close them again. Someone quickly dims the lights for me, and I sigh in relief when I crack my lids open again and it doesn’t hurt.

Forde is in my line of sight immediately, kissing me all over my face, which brings tears to my eyes. I slowly reach my arms up and cup the back of his head. And then I kiss the hell out of him, not caring who else is in the room or that my mouth is dry and I’m in desperate need of some hydration, because I need to reaffirm to him I’m here after what I just put him through.

Not that it was my fault, but still.

---