Page 79 of Ride or Die
“I gotta get back to Daya. I’ll be back tomorrow, okay? Call me if you need anything,” he says, ignoring my comment. Just like Colt said, he chose this life. He doesn't give a shit about the risks as long as he's getting paid.
But it's not my life, not my problem.
“Thanks for bringing me here, Ax.” I stand and give him a hug, then he heads to the door. After it closes, I stand there, unsure what to do.
The room is silent except for the light beep of the heart monitor, so I take off my shoes and find the remote for the TV. Islip into the king-size bed under the sheets and snuggle up close to Colt on his good side, if you can call it that. His right arm is broken, but there’s no gunshot wound on this side. I turn on the TV and throw on our favorite show.The Big Bang Theory.
Laying beside him, I can feel his breathing, and it soothes me. I wrap my hand around his pinky finger in an attempt to hold him. “Good night, Colt. I love you.” I whisper and lay here waiting for the sleep that will never come.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-NINE
RIDE OR DIE
LAYLA
Two days have passed, and Colton still hasn’t woken up. The doctor blamed it on the concussion, assuming there must be more damage than he initially thought.
Axel never came back, and neither did any of Colt’s other friends. I am infuriated with them and will remember this when they need us for something. This just reinforces that a life with only Colt is all that matters. Leave all these fucks in the past.
I hop into the shower and get into some comfy clothes I had Williams' goons get for me from the house. The maids bring up meals three times a day, keeping me well-fed, but I don't have an appetite.
All I do is wait.
I’m drying my hair with a towel, staring at the TV, when I hear a groan from the bed. My heart skips a beat and I rush over to Colt to see he’s finally awake, his eyes squinting in the light, looking around the room.
“Babe, I’m here,” I say softly, standing above him, my hand resting on his shoulder.
“Layla?” he murmurs hoarsely, his bruised face scrunching.
“Yes, Colt.” Tears start to fall from my eyes. “Oh my god, I’m so glad you’re awake. I was so scared. I love you, Colt, I love you so much.” I lean over and lay kisses all over his face.
“I love you too,” he whispers against me.
“Let me get you some water.” I rush over to the tray they brought up for breakfast and pour him a glass with a straw. He takes a couple of sips, still trying to wake up.
He looks down at himself as things start to fall into place. “I’m so fucked. Williams is going to lose his shit,” he grumbles, then sighs in frustration.
“Oh my god, have you seen yourself? And that’s what you’re worried about? Colt, you were shot!”
“I know. It was Constantine Torres and his crew. Franky and Williams’ number one competition. I don’t know how they knew we were there. They chased me, shot up the car, and I crashed it.” He tries to move but winces and lets out an exasperated breath, realizing his limitations.
“I just…fuck! What am I going to do?!” he says angrily, looking down at himself again. He lifts his arm, examining his cast, and then winces in pain again. He lets out a deep breath and his eyes meet mine, full of hurt.
“Fuck, Lay, I’m so sorry.” His voice cracks as tears fill his eyes and spill down his cheeks. Seeing him this way tells me how fucking serious this is. He’s worried about the consequences of crashing a three-hundred-thousand-dollar car. Car chase or not, Colt was the one driving who didn’t get away.
You either pay the debt or you’re dead.
“It's okay, Colt. We’ll figure it out,” I reassure him while I caress his cheek, wiping his tears with my thumb. I swallow the hard lump in my throat, refusing to let myself cry any more.
I have to be strong for us.
“We’re at his place now. He hasn’t said anything yet, but I’m sure something is coming. We can’t worry about that until wesee what he presents,” I say, and Colt pushes his head back into the pillow, growling at himself.
“I’m so fucking sorry, Layla. I brought you into this, and now, like right into it. I should have finished this long ago. I let you down. I can’t believe I fucked this up!” he says angrily, his poor bruised and cut face looking over at me with remorse.
I kiss his lips gently and brush his thick hair out of his face as more tears fall from his eyes. Watching him like this is gut-wrenching. He’s normally so strong. Everything he does is so calculated and this derails everything in his plans. I know it infuriates him. I know he feels like he’s disappointed me.
