Page 24 of Ghost's Angel

My last coherent thought is of Ghost—of steel-gray eyes and gentle hands and a love so fierce it terrifies me. Of everything I'm leaving behind because I'm not strong enough, not healthy enough, not whole enough, not enough. Never enough...

Then, blessed darkness swallows me whole.

Ghost

"The warehouse on Pier 12 is our best—" Blade's voice cuts off as the chapel door bursts open.

Rage builds at the prospect's audacity to interrupt church.

"The fuck you think you're doing?" I rise slowly, deliberately, letting him see the threat of death in my eyes. I’m ready to tear this asshole a new one.

The prospect's face is ash-white, his chest heaving. "Prez... it's... it's Mira."

Two words. Just two words and my world stops spinning.

"She collapsed outside the diner in town,” he rushes on. "Manager called 911, then called us. Ambulance is?—"

I'm moving before he finishes speaking, shoving past him with enough force to slam him into the doorframe. Behind me, chairs scrape as my brothers rise, but their voices fade to white noise.

I care about nothing right now. Nothing but my angel.

Chapter 16

Mira

White light pierces my eyelids as consciousness returns gradually, like waves lapping at a shore. The steady beep of monitors fills my ears, and I become aware of a warm pressure around my hand.

Ghost.

His large frame is hunched in a hospital chair beside my bed, his calloused fingers intertwined with mine. Dark circles shadow his eyes, and his normally immaculate cut is wrinkled like he's been wearing it for days.

"Hey angel," he murmurs, noticing my stirring. His voice is rough with exhaustion.

"What..." My throat feels like sandpaper. "What happened?"

"Your heart surgery went well. Doctor will be in soon to give you the full update."

Surgery? My free hand drifts to my chest, finding bandages beneath the hospital gown. The last thing I remember is leaving the compound, walking to the diner, and…

"You needed emergency surgery. And a transfusion,” Ghost’s grip on my hand tightens. “Funny thing is, our blood types match. And now, my blood is running through your veins, angel. You're literally carrying a part of me inside you."

The fierce, dominating tone sends tingles through me.

“How…? What happened?”

“You took off. Left the compound and collapsed outside the diner. I called your cardiologist," he says quietly. "Found out the truth.”

Shame burns my cheeks and I turn away. "Ghost, I?—”

"Look at me." He waits until I meet his steel-gray gaze. "Why didn'tyoutell me?"

"I couldn't bear to be a burden." The words tumble out in a rush. "You've already done so much, and I have no way of repaying you. The surgery costs alone?—“

"You repay me by being alive," he cuts in roughly. "By being here, beside me. You don't understand what you do to me, angel. How you calm the turbulence inside me. How you shine a light on the darkness in my soul."

"But—”

"No buts. I'm never letting you go. Never."

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