Page 173 of Tangled In Lies

“Uh-huh, that’s right.” She comes to the other side of my bed, checks the monitors, and gets the stethoscope from around her neck to check my vitals. Her watchful gaze inspects my face. “How are you feeling, sweetie?”

Holden’s unanswered question from earlier comes back. “Mmm, okay, I think.”

“Does anything hurt?” She moves the round metal piece over my chest, listening intently while I inhale and exhale.

I shake my head, taking a moment to inventory my body. “I don’t think so. Mainly just my wrists.”

Her expression falls at the mention of my wrists, but she forces her lips to move upward again. “I’m glad you got away better than your husband.”

Her words repeat in my head.

Your husband.

My husband.

A vague memory of yelling at Holden that I need to see Phoenix, and that he’s my husband, dashes into my mind.

“Can I . . . can I see him?” I clear my throat, sending her a pleading gaze. “Please?”

She tilts her head to the side, a frown growing between her brows, and I get ready for her rejection.

After a sigh, she blinks at me. “I know they brought him to a room, but let me see how he’s doing first, okay?”

I nod, sad but hopeful I’ll be able to see Phoenix soon. I need to see him alive and doing well with my own eyes.

A big yawn takes over my mouth, and my eyes droop.This stupid medicine. I never want anything like this ever again. Feeling loopy is officially on my bad list.

Cynthia huffs a laugh and pats my hand. “Why don’t you rest for a while, and I’ll be back before you know it?”

I want to tell her no, that I don’t want to sleep any more. I want to stay awake and see Phoenix. But whatever medicine is left in my body has other plans.

Strong arms pushunder my body, lifting me effortlessly off the mattress.

A high-pitched sound leaves my throat as I’m pulled against a warm chest.

“Just me, Princess. You’re safe.”

I hum low in my throat, the gentle rocking motion of Holden carrying me reminding me of our little vacation. Of being in the ocean with the soft waves lapping up my body and surrounding me in a tender caress.

My eyes stay shut until he places me down again, and I gingerly pry them open.

The large white-and-gray room is almost identical to the one we just left, except for one significant difference. There’s a second bed a few feet away from mine, and Phoenix’s large frame takes up almost the entire mattress. He’s on his back with cables coming out from under the covers attached to several machines.

I take him in, my eyes feasting on as much of him as they can manage from this angle.

Straining my neck, I roam over the bandages from one wound, with the other hiding under the fabric. Since I’mfacing his right side, I can’t see the temple injury or anything else on his face. My gaze stops at his wrapped wrists for several beats before I stare at the healthy rise and fall of his chest, nearly breaking down at the sight of it.

Holden’s still next to my bed, his gaze fixed on his best friend. I grab his hand and squeeze it. When he looks down at me with shiny eyes, I whisper, “Thank you.”

He squeezes my fingers back and gives me a tight nod. We stay like this until he points toward the oversized chair in the corner, where he settles in for the night.

I plan on not moving a single muscle the entire night, watching over Phoenix until he opens his eyes.

Chapter 45

Phoenix

“I’m not sure who’s worse, you or Nurse Holden over there.” I growl, my displeasure vibrating low in my throat.

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