Page 38 of Lyon

River’s hands were rock steady as he worked.

Silence.

Then—

“It’s done,” River exhaled. “Bomb’s defused.”

Sherry groaned, starting to stir.

I leaned down, my voice ice-cold. “Your plan failed. Instead of killing us and those kids, you’re going to rot in prison.”

Her scream was pure rage.

I smiled.

18

Niki

Fire.My body was on fire. Every breath felt like a struggle, like I was back in that suffocating little box. I couldn’t focus. Everything around me blurred and shifted, slipping through my grasp like a fading dream.

I searched the room for Lyon. Where was he? Panic swelled in my chest.

“Mama,” I croaked, my throat is raw. “Call Lyon. I need to tell him something.”

Her warm hand smoothed over my forehead. “Sweetheart, they’re trying to bring your fever down so you can breathe easier.”

“Please, Mama. I need him.”

That’s when he walked in. His strong and unwavering presence filled the room, but the moment he laid eyes on me, his confidence in his stance faltered. His gaze flicked to my mother, then to the doctor, and finally to me. My skin burned, my breathing ragged.

“What the hell is going on?” Lyon’s voice was sharp, demanding answers. I heard a growl and knew Brutus was with him.

“Brutus, stand down,” Lyon demanded.

I mustered the last of my strength. “Lyon, I’m so happy you’re here.” Tears pricked my eyes, slipping freely down my cheeks. “I had some… complications. My organs… they aren’t doing so well.” My breath hitched, but I pushed through. “I love you. You’re the only man I’ve ever loved, the only one I ever will. Thank you for loving me. I’m sorry that I’m dying. If I could, I’d live to a hundred just to be with you.”

His face darkened. “Sweetheart, I would never let you die.”

I felt the wetness from my tears pooling beneath my head, soaking my pillow. But what did it matter? They were taking me away from the man I loved more than anything.

Lyon turned on the doctor, his entire body rigid with fury. “Why would you tell her she’s dying? Why would you put that fear in her head?” His voice was pure steel, dangerous.

The doctor paled. “I—I didn’t say her organs were shutting down right now. I only meant that—”

“That’s not what you told me.” My voice wavered, my vision swimming. “You said I didn’t have much longer.”

Lyon’s jaw clenched. “Sweetheart, do you trust me?”

I nodded, unable to form words.

“We trust you too,” my mother added her tone tight with suppressed rage.

Without another word, Lyon scooped me up, carrying me out of the hospital. My parents followed, not questioning him for even a second.

He placed me gently in the back seat of a large pickup, my father taking the front beside him. The ride was long, the roads winding, until we reached a secluded house perched on a cliff with the most breathtaking ocean view I’d ever seen.

Lyon carried me inside like I weighed nothing, his arms solid and protective. “From now on, I’m taking care of you.” His voicewas firm, resolute. “First thing’s first—getting that fever down. How long have you had it?”

---