Page 135 of Diamond Kisses

I didn’t know how, but he’d saved her. Sacrificed himself for her.

Out of all the people…

Out of all the selfless incredible acts…

I wanted to wring his neck for killing himself and hug him stupid for loving her enough to protect her.

Jesus, Paavak.

“Do you…do you know what happened to the man who saved her?”

“I’m afraid not.” He looked up. “The helicopter that came to me had the most urgent cases that could be dealt with here. The ones needing extensive surgery were flown to the hospital. I believe the helicopter you were on was designated to a colleague while another transported the deceased. I can find out—”

“No.” I held up my hand, fighting dizziness. I didn’t think I could cope hearing how Peter’s corpse had been flown without a name and thrown into a freezer waiting to be claimed. It’d killed me picturing Ily in such a place and the thought of the man who’d saved her life being discarded like an old shoe…

I swallowed hard. “Just…tell me about her. When will she wake? How soon will—”

“Mr Mercer, if I can be so bold.” Hugging his tablet, he gave me a pitying look. “Ms Sharma was legally dead for a few minutes due to her fading on the table while I sewed up the hole in her chest. She was given just enough blood to get her to me but for someone to survive an extended period of time with such a low volume of blood…it can cause unforeseen complications.”

“Unforeseen…”

“She hasn’t woken yet. She’s had two more transfusions, but it will take time and a great deal of energy for her body to recoup enough to be considered healthy. We are doing everything in our power to ensure she wakes with no permanent damage, but the fact remains, her brain was deprived of oxygen. There might be a chance that she’s—”

“No.” I shook my head. “No way. She’s smart. So fucking smart. She’ll be fine.”

He sighed and didn’t argue. “All you need to focus on now is talking to her. Tell her she’s safe. Tell her you’re waiting for her. Do whatever it takes to make her fight because we’ve done all we can. The rest is up to her.”

Bowing politely, he backed toward the door. “I’ll leave you now. I’ll send your own doctor to see you soon. I don’t believe you should be out of bed for long. But I appreciate that my patient needs someone she knows to bring her back so…I’m willing to allow you to visit for a time.”

Allow?

A surge of temper filled me.

I wouldn’t be leaving her side.

He wasn’t going toallowme to do anything.

Silently, he slipped out the door and my eyes fell on Ily.

I’d never seen someone so beautiful.

Even now.

Even with a bruise on her jaw and shadows under her eyes. Even with the weight loss from sharing a dungeon for a month and the faintest mark around her wrists where the cuffs had imprisoned her.

Taking her hand, I ran my thumb over her knuckles. “I thought I’d lost you once, little nightmare. If you think I’m going to lose you again, then you don’t know me very well.” I brought her hand to my lips and kissed her. “I won’t let you go, Ily. If you open your eyes, then we’ll exist in this world. But if you die…we’ll exist in another. Your choice,mon cœur. Either way, you’re not leaving me again.”

Q cleared his throat behind me. “I’ll do everything in my power to ensure she survives, Henri. You have my word.”

I glowered at him. “And you won’t stop me from following her if it comes to that?”

He held my stare.

Finally, he nodded. “No, I won’t stop you because I know nothing could.” Stepping toward the open door, he rested his hand on the door frame. “Be smart and take care. You’re not worth anything to her if you don’t look after yourself. I’ll send some food up.”

He turned to go.

My shoulders slouched in gratefulness as well as exhaustion. “Q?”

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