Page 248 of Ignite

I can’t get enough air into my lungs. I’m sobbing so hard I can’t see straight.

“Finn! He’s not—he’s not—” I scream.

Finn drops to his knees beside me and wraps his hands around my wrists, gently pulling them away.

“Hallie. Let go—I’ve got it.”

“No—”

“Hallie.” His voice is flat but unyielding. “You need to let me do this.”

I choke on a sob as he eases me back. My hands hover over Conan’s face like if I just touch him, he’ll open his eyes again.

“Come on, brother. Fucking fight,” Finn shouts, pressing on Conan’s chest with steady, practiced force.

The paramedics crowd around us, the bright lights blurring with my tears. My hand is ripped from Conan’s, and my heart breaks watching him get lifted onto the stretcher.

“We need to get him into surgery,” the lead paramedic tells us.

“Take him to St. George’s. I’ll have them prep an O.R. I’m Dr. Finn Quinn.”

“Got it.” They nod and slam the door shut.

“Come on. Let’s go.” Finn leads me back to my car. I hand him my keys with trembling hands, and he follows behind the ambulance as closely as he can.

Chapter 96

HALLIE

“What do you think, Finn?” My voice is tiny.

He doesn’t look at me. His jaw is tight.

“It doesn’t look promising, Hallie. We might have to prepare ourselves for the worst.”

My throat closes. But I can’t believe it. Conan is a fighter. He has to pull through.

When we reach the hospital, Finn jumps out and races inside, already on his phone. I follow, every step heavier than the last.

I watch them wheel Conan through the double doors toward surgery. My stomach lurches.

Finn paces, talking in low, angry tones. When he hangs up, his gray eyes find mine.

“Finn…I—I’m scared. Are you going to operate?”

He shakes his head.

“I’ve called in the best surgeon I know. The only woman I loathe as much as she loathes me.”

I stare.

“No. Dr. Quinn. You hate her. She hates you. You can’t let her operate on him.”

His face doesn’t change.

“She’ll relish saving my brother. It’ll give her a win over me. That’s exactly why Conan is safer with her. I’m too…emotional to do it.”

If I didn’t already feel like I was dying, I’d punch him. Emotional? Finn?

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