Page 45 of Shea's Hero

Wait.

What?

Move out? Where? Who are these people? Where are they taking me?

I want Oliver.

Though it’s a struggle, I force my eyes open, wincing as the light hits them. Everything is slightly blurred, but I can see three men huddled around me. Two I don’t know, but I don’t pay attention to them, my gaze jumping straight to Oliver.

“Oll—” My voice is so small. Wobbly.

“Shea.”Oliver leans over me, his face a picture of worry. Lines are etched across his forehead and around his mouth. Fear shadows his eyes. “Fuck. Are you—” He stops, swallowing hard. A muscle works in his jaw. “It’s going to be okay.”

“What…” Terror blossoms in my chest.The man. The fake-faced-man.“Where is he? Is he gone? Did you find him?”

Regret washes over Oliver’s face. “No. By the time the police got here, he was long gone.”

“The police?” My thoughts are still scattered. Floaty.

Oliver takes my hand, his fingers warm and comforting as they wrap around mine. “Yeah. As soon as you called me, I contacted the White Plains PD. They got here a few minutes before I did.”

“Kingston, the ambulance is ready to leave.” It’s a blonde man with kind eyes, not Ian, but the other.

Oliver glances over at him. “Okay. But I’m going with her. Police escort, if anyone argues.”

“Wait.” Panic flutters in my belly. “Where?—”

The kind-eyed man gives me a gentle smile. “Hi, Shea. I’m Dallas. With the White Plains Fire Department. It’s going to be fine. We’re just going to pop over to the hospital and get you checked out.”

“Dallas and I go way back,” Oliver adds. “We went to high school together. He’s a good guy. And I’ll be right there with you.”

“We’ll all be at the hospital,” Ian adds. He gives me an equally kind smile. “I’m with the Sleepy Hollow Fire Department, but I was in White Plains for a training, so I convinced them to let me tag along. Once I heard it was you—” He stops. Pauses. “Well. Kingston’s a friend. Which makes you a friend, too.”

Only now do I realize I’m laid out on a stretcher, bands strapped across my waist and chest. And it’s so much like that horrible day back in Virginia, when I was so sick, I can’t stop the panic from taking over.

As my thoughts come together, I know it all makes sense. That I have to go to the hospital. That it’s not the same as the last time.

But my body can’t control my instinctive response. Tears spring to my eyes. I clutch Oliver’s hand. Voice shaking, I plead, “No, Oll. I don’t want to go. Please. Not the hospital. Just… I can’t.”

He frowns, looking absolutely miserable. “I know, love. I know. But I need to make sure you’re okay.”

The tears break free, running down my cheeks and into my hair. “Oll… I don’t…”

Oliver brushes the tears from my face, then kisses the damp tracks they left behind. “It’s okay. I’ll be right there. And the second the doctor clears you, we’ll come right home. Alright? I won’t leave you. I promise.”

And looking into his eyes, I know it’s the truth.

“Okay.” Exhaling, I give him a little nod. “As long as you’re with me.”

“Oh, Shea.” He kisses my forehead. “I’m not going anywhere.”

CHAPTER 10

OLIVER

The guilt keeps coming at me in waves.

With each one, a terrible memory comes crashing back in.

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