Page 151 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 3
"I've got her," Rob said.
"This way then," Porter said and ran toward the staircase.
"I'll call James," Briggs said and ran back to their office.
I closed my eyes. Each step downwards on the stairs made my stomach ache more. I heard a car door open and close.
I heard the squeal of the tires. Cursing. I had never felt more weak. It felt like the life was draining out of my body. And not just my son's. My own. My heartbeat seemed to slow. A chill entered my bloodstream. It felt like the coolness was pulsing through my whole body.
"It's okay," Rob said. "We're almost there." I was vaguely aware of the fact that he hadn't set me down in the back seat.That he was cradling me in his arms. Like he knew if he let go, I'd be gone.
"Take care of him," I said.
"Penny." His hand on my cheek felt scalding hot.
"Promise me you'll take care of him."
"You're going to be alright. Everything's okay."
I looked up at his face. It was wet with tears. I had seen him cry once before. When James had gotten shot. When we thought we might lose him. And I knew it then. He thought I was going to die. I thought I was going to die. And I felt the death in my stomach. I felt it rip my heart in two.
"Promise me." My voice came out as a whisper.
He shook his head.
"Take care of Scarlett."
"Penny..."
"Take care of my family."
"We're almost there," he said.
"I'm scared." I tried to grab his hand, but my grip was too weak. The pain was easing as the feeling of ice spread. It was peaceful. Like my body was trying to comfort me as I slipped. As it became harder to breathe. "I'm so scared," I whispered.
"Penny, open your eyes."
I tried, but I couldn't.
"Penny, you're not allowed to leave us. Do you hear me? Open your eyes, okay?"
But I couldn't. I couldn't do it.
"Please."
The desperation in his voice pained me. But I couldn't frown. I couldn't move at all.
"Fucking open your eyes!"
The memory disappeared as quickly as it had come. I took a deep breath and tried to swallow down the agony. This whole time James had been saying it was better if I hadn’t remembered that day. And that was why. He hadn’t been there when I needed him. He’d been with someone else.
James was looking at me with concern etched on his face. I stared into the depths of his dark brown eyes. Once I thought that they swirled with secrets. But now? It was love in his eyes. It had been for so long. I stared at the small crinkles by his eyes that I loved so much. The stubble on his jaw. His lips that kissed me goodnight. That told me I was his one and only. That I willingly believed.
“Is everything okay?” he asked.
No.I swallowed hard.You cheated on me.How could you cheat on me?That’s what he wanted to talk about. It had to be. That’s why he looked guilty. He was right, I would need a drink to hear the specifics. Because I didn’t understand why he’d do it. But I also knew that I didn’t want to hear about it at all. If he did it and it was over…I could live with that, right? I could forgive him. I searched his face. “Whatever it is you want to talk about…can it wait? Until after Liam is better? I can’t do this right now. Or maybe not at all.” I bit the inside of my lip. “Not at all. Definitely. I don’t want to know.”
“Penny, it’s important. I should have told you sooner, but I was worried…”
