Page 73 of Shattered

“Come back to me, Angel.”

Koen. God, I loved him.

If I could still hear him, maybe I wasn’t as dead as I presumed. Could I have actually survived?

When I woke up in the dark and all alone, I fought. I fought to hold on to all the memories of my brother and Koen. I fought to hold on to the joy I’d found in recentmonths with my friends. Then when my breathing became ragged and difficult, I fought to hold on to hope. I thought I’d lost, but maybe…

“Open those beautiful brown eyes for me.”

“Give her time, Koen. The doctor’s said all her vital signs looked good. Her mind just needs time to process the trauma.”

That was Henley.

I took a deep breath through my nose and immediately regretted it, as searing pain rippled through my chest.

“Ow.”

“Angel.”

I felt his breathy response whisper against my face, then his warm lips pressed softly to mine. All too soon he pulled back, but he didn’t go far. His fingers danced lightly along my cheek and I leaned into his touch, wanting more, needing more.

“Where does it hurt, Jade?”

“I’m okay.” Licking across my chapped lips, I tasted the salty remnants of his kiss. My voice was raw…scratchy, like I’d swallowed serrated knives. And, holy hell, was I thirsty.

“You’re not, but you will be.”

My eyelids were so heavy that it took several attempts before I was finally able to crack them open. Koen’s smiling face was the first thing I saw. His features were dim and fuzzy until I blinked a few times, clearing my vision. I was lying in a bed; a hospital bed I presumed. He was there beside me, his fine ass pressed against my hip as he bracketed my body with his arms on either side.

Okay. Not dead then.

“Hi,” I croaked, then frowned. “Why are you crying?”

He chuckled. “Happy tears, Angel. I’m just so damn happy you’re here.”

“Where else would I be?”

It was his turn to frown then. A million different emotions crossed his beautiful face, then he leaned close once again. “You scared the shit out of me. Don’t do it again.”

“You scared the shit out of all of us.”

“Language, Jett.”

I turned my head, smiling at my little brother. He looked about as tired as I felt. Peering beyond him, I saw Henley and Keaton. His arms were circling her waist from behind, probably in an effort to keep her from bum-rushing me. Next to them, Duncan and Riley stood to one side while Willow was crouched down next to Teresa, who was seated in a wheelchair.

My family.

We were missing a few vital members of it; however, they were here in spirit.

“What happened?” I asked, focusing back on my husband.

“You don’t remember?”

“Only bits and pieces. I remember being cold and I remember the dark.” An involuntary shudder ran through me. “Where did you find me?”

Koen looked away.

“She needs to know, Brother. It’ll help her heal,” Riley encouraged.

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