Page 4 of Devoted

Clark holds out his arm for me to take. "Yes, the ambulance. You look like you're ready to drop right where you stand,Angie."

"Ugh, I hate hospitals," I complain as I take Clark's arm. It feels solid andprotective.

"Pretty sure everyone hates them." Clark leads me to the waiting ambulance. Several paramedics are standing at the open rear of the vehicle waiting to poke and prod me. One of the members of the search team approaches us as we make our wayacross.

"Captain Clark, just wanted to let you know we didn't find any other individuals in the complex. Turns out there was a secret exit at the rear of the tunnels. It seems Freestone knew we were about to pounce on him. He told everyone to leave. He got past us. We're searching the areanow."

Clark looks at me for some insight, which I really can't givehim.

"He's a genius," I say. "That's all I've got fornow."

We reach the gurney that's been rolled out for me. I take one glance back at the entrance to Lace Underground. I've been through it more than once, but it's the first time I actually see it. We are deep in the chaparral biome between Nevada and California. The entrance is camouflaged by a large screen ofshrubs.

The paramedic reaches for my arm to help me onto the gurney. Clark's gaze falls to the pin pricks on my arm. He's unable to stop his reaction. "Jesus."

I pull my arm against me. My face grows hot with shame. "I'm sorry, Captain Clark. I let you down in so manyways."

"No, kiddo." He leans over and kisses me on the forehead. "I let you down. I should never have given you thisassignment."

"I don't think you had much choice. As my dad used to tell me—I can be as persistent as a mosquito on a summernight."

Clark helps me onto the gurney. "Let's just get you feeling a hundred percent. Then we can talk about the assignment. Naturally, I'll have twenty-four hour security at your hospitalroom."

The paramedic slips the blood pressure cuff around my arm. Quick visions of the leather cuffs slip through my head. I push them away for now, but something tells me it won't be the last time I think ofthem.

"Security? What for?" Iask.

"Maybe you didn't hear the search team. Freestone got away. You just brought down his underground empire. He'll probably be looking foryou."

I think about his words. I'm in enough of a muddle that they're hard to process, but the thought of Freestone coming after me seems ridiculous. "I don't think you need to worry about it, Captain. Freestone isn't going to come afterme."

"You get well and let me take care of everythingelse."

Maddox walks over while they take my vitals, replacing Clark at my side. I feel as if the past few days have drained away my life but seeing him with his jewel green eyes and confident smile gives me a burst of energy. I frustrate the paramedic by squirming from his grasp as he's about to take my blood pressure. I drag the cuff, cord and monitor along as I reach for Maddox's arm. The medic grabs for the equipment cart before it rolls forward and hits thegurney.

I shrug. "Sorry, it's just that my best friend recently came back from the dead and I have to keep touching him to make sure he's really here." The blood pressure cuff comes loose as I lift my arms up to Maddox. Just being in his arms takes away some of the pain coursing through mybody.

"Fucking hell, Ten, you've aged me a hundred years in two months." Maddox mutters against mycheek.

The medic clears his throat to remind us they need to get towork.

Maddox lowers his arms and takes hold of my hand. "I'll be rightbehind."

"You don't have to go with me, Maddox. I'll be fine," I say with littleconviction.

His dark brow arches as he half smiles down at me. Everything about him is so familiar it makes me want to hug him again. "Uh, maybe you forgot what happened the last time I let you out of mysight."

"Technically, that was all your fault." My voice is thin and weak. No longer from despair but from shock and joy. My head has been in and out of a drug haze for so long, I'm still working hard to convince myself that I'm awake and staring up at Maddox. And he is real, and amazing, and breathtaking and, as always, heartbreaking. For me, he's every powerful emotion rolled up into one strong, beautiful man. The nectar had muted my emotions but now that the drug was leaving my body, every feeling was coming back to me in pure vividcolor.

My throat tightens as I think back to the profound loss I felt for the past few days. I reach for him one more time and take hold of his hand. "You're reallyhere."

"Yep. Looks like you're stuck with me." Maddox squeezes my hand. "Ten, thought I'd lost you. So fucking glad I foundyou."

Tears stream down my face. I make no attempt to stop them. I've earned everyone.

3

Kane

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