“Nearest hospital,” Byron yelled to the driver. “I don’t care if you break every single traffic law. Get there as fast as you fucking can.”
The sounds of tires squealing against the pavement filled the air.
Pushing myself, I reached out. I needed to touch him. I had to tell him something, but I could feel my vision slowly fading. I could feel his strong body wrapped around mine, but I couldn’t see him.
“Byron,” I whimpered. “Where—”
His hand wrapped around my wrist, pressing his face against my palm. “I’m here.”
“Keep… our… son—” I broke off, struggling to form the words. “Safe. Happy.”
He kissed the center of my palm. “We’llkeep him happy and safe. Together. Just hang in there. Please, baby.”
A shiver rolled down my spine. The car took a sharp turn and tires wailed against the asphalt. My stomach coiled, nausea bubbled, and I turned my head away from him as my stomach erupted. I retched, liquid spilling from my mouth.
Byron didn’t let go of me. His hand shot to my hair, pulling it away from my face.
“Jesus Christ,” he whispered. “Hang in there.” He stroked a hand over my hair, all the while murmuring softly, “Everything will be okay. I got you.”
His words and his hands trembled. I wanted to comfort him, but I was too weak to speak. My husband used the back of his hand to tenderly wipe my lips as he held my head, stroking my cheek.
A ringing sound filled the small space inside the car. “Yes.”
A deep voice came through his headset, calm and collected. “He put shit in her tea. Have her tested for every drug.”
A string of curses left Byron’s mouth. “I want that guy dead.”
Someone’s scream pierced through the headset. “He will be. Also, he had an accomplice.”
I retched again, more of my stomach’s contents emptying. I tried to think, but all my thoughts bled together. Unsure whether I was lucid or dreaming, I kept peering at my husband’s beautiful face. The anguish in his eyes pierced me right through my chest.
“It’s okay, baby,” Byron murmured softly. “Let it all out. It’s better if it’s not in your system.”
“Byron.” My throat was raw, but I pushed through. “I’m dying.”
“No,” he rasped. “You’re going to get better. I’m going to save you again. This time, nobody walks away. We stay together.”
The chaos in his eyes gutted me.
“How is she?” the voice on the phone asked.
“She’s strong. She’ll pull through.” Byron’s hand on me tightened, as if he were scared I’d slip away. “Who helped him?”
“Nicki Popova and—”
Another scream echoed through the headset.
“You fucking end her.” A cold and detached order. “And who else?”
“Just—”
I didn’t get to hear the answer as I slipped into unconsciousness.
Chapter56
Byron
“Ineed help, now!” I yelled as I ran through the door and into the emergency room of George Washington Hospital.