Page 63 of No Mercy
Flynn’s hand grips my shoulder. “We need to move, Axel. She’s losing too much blood. We can’t stay here.”
His words snap me back to reality as I nod, swallowing hard, I push all my anger aside before sliding my arms under her, as gently as I can.
She feels so light, too light, as if the life is slipping out of her.
“Hold on,” I say softly, more to myself than her. “Just hold on. I’ll get you out of this buttercup.”
As I lift her, her head rolls against my chest, and I feel the sticky warmth of her blood soaking into my shirt. Every step towards the car feels further and further away.
“Flynn, take the bike and meet us at the hospital.” I tell him without looking back, making sure to never leave my eyes from her. I can only assume he agrees as I hear the sound of footsteps disappearing behind me.
A small whimper leaves Eva’s lips as I climb inside of the car, never letting her go as I do. That sound is like music to my ears as I try and hold back the tears.
“Hold on, buttercup,” I whisper, my voice trembling as I press my cheek against her hair. “I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”
Soon after Carter and Gunnar slide into the front, the car jolts forward as Gunnar floors the accelerator. The tires screech against the road, and the city blurs outside the window as we race against time, praying we aren’t too late to save her.
15 hours.
That’s how long I’ve been sat waiting for an update since we arrived in the emergency room.
The second I walked in carrying her, it was like the whole world stopped moving as they ripped her from my arms and rushed her away. No matter how hard I try, no one will give me an update about her condition.
The last time I tried, I nearly got myself kicked out as I pushed a doctor against a wall demanding to know where she is.
“Drink.”
I look up from the floor to see Mandy standing in front of me with a coffee in her hand.
Sighing, I take it from her, not remembering the last time I drank something, “Thanks.”
After we arrived, I arranged for Carter to collect Ant and Mandy from the apartment. She needs her best friend and right now, her best friend needs her.
“So,” Mandy starts, sitting down beside me, “I spoke to the doctors.”
My head snaps up, my heart pounding at the thought of an update. “What? What did they say? Is she okay? Is she?—”
“She’s okay,” Mandy interrupts, her voice steady but soft. She places a hand on my leg, grounding me. “She’s been through hell, Axel, but she’s stable. It’s going to take time for her body to recover… but she’s a fighter. She always has been.”
My breath catches and my vision blurs as the weight I’ve been carrying collapses all at once. The coffee falls from my hand, the cup hitting the floor with a dull thud, spraying coffee everywhere as it mixes with my blood stained clothes.
I drop my face into my hands, my shoulders shaking as the relief pours out of me.
She’s okay.
My chest heaves, and for a moment, I’m not sure if I’m laughing or crying. Maybe a bit of both.
“She’s okay,” I whisper through the chaos in my head, repeating it over and over, trying to make myself believe it.
Mandy reaches over and squeezes my hand gently, like she’s trying to show me this is real. “Yeah Axel… she’s okay.”
A touch of sadness is in her tone, but I ignore it as the news of Eva being alive takes over every inch of me.
CHAPTER 29
EVA
What isthat damn beeping noise?
