Page 118 of The Forbidden
“Mom’s got it covered.”
He rolls his eyes, muttering. “Of course she does.”
Thirty minutes later my parents and Lana are in the room. Mom is carrying a bag, which she hands to me without saying a word, before going to Anais’s bedside. Her eyes are glassy with tears as she takes in her goddaughter, and in that moment I realize just how deeply she loves and cares for Anais. How much both my parents do.
Sighing, I rise from the chair and slip into the private bathroom to get changed. Gripping the edges of the sink, myeyes meet the mirror. I recoil at the sight of the weary, bloody man staring back at me.
Jesus, I really do look like hell.
Turning on the faucet, I splash cold water on my face, scrubbing away the blood. My jaw tightens, teeth grinding, as the memory of that asshole spilling Anais’s blood flickers in my mind. I’m fucking furious. Enraged that anyone managed to get close enough to stab her. Guilt floods my veins like poison. I didn’t protect her. Yet without a shred of hesitation or concern for her own safety, Anais threw herself in front of me.
When she wakes up, I’m going to kiss the shit out of her… then lecture her on being so reckless. On the importance of not putting herself in dangerous situations. She should’ve run in the other direction, not into the line of fire.
But knowing how stubborn she is, she’ll most likely ignore every word of my warning.
With a sigh, I push off my suit jacket, pull off my tie, and unbutton my soiled shirt, letting them drop to the floor. I make quick work of removing my pants, leaving me in my boxer briefs and socks. Digging into the bag, I yank out the clothing Mom bought and pull it on, grimacing at the hospital branded gray tee and matching sweats. I’d never be caught dead outside the gym in something like this, but needs must. I couldn’t care less right now. These are unusual circumstances, and I’d wear a bin bag if I had to. If it was anyone else, I’d go home and change into another suit, but I can’t bear the thought of leaving her.
“Baby, you’re awake.” I hear Mrs. Lauder cry from the hospital room.
My heart stalls in my chest.
Crossing the bathroom, I pull the door open. All the air leaves my lungs for the second or third time today.
Because there she is.
With her lilac eyes open and locked on mine.
My brat.
Alive. Awake. Safe.
Mine.
Chapter 50
Anais
As if pulled by an invisible magnet, my eyes lock on Evan the moment I wake. He stands in the bathroom doorway, his expression a mixture of relief and pain as he watches me. His icy gaze is locked on mine, like he never wants to look away. Breaking the stare off, I let my eye roam over him, taking in his disheveled appearance. My brows hit my hairline when I notice his clothes… branded hospital t-shirt and sweatpants? What the hell? Evan Maxwell is always impeccably dressed. So, this is… I shake my head. Did I enter an alternative universe?
Huh. Still, even dressed like that, he looks like a Greek God.
“Evan?” I croak, trying to push myself up into a sitting position.
My voice jolts him out of whatever trance he was in, and he rushes toward me.
Pain shoots through me, but I grit my teeth, ignoring it, adjusting myself into a semi comfortable position. A flurry of movement erupts around me. Soft concerned voices asking questions and vying for my attention. I glance around, and it’s only then I notice the people in the room.
My parents. Evan’s parents. My brother. Lana… Evan.
Gratitude swells in my chest, that they’re all here for me, but I can only focus on one person as he muscles his way between my brother and Lana to get to me.
Evan takes my hands in his, his worried eyes searching mine – for what I’m not sure. He exhales shakily, his eyes fluttering closed for a brief moment before snapping open again.
“You’re okay. You’re awake,” he murmurs reverently, as if needing confirmation to what he already knows
I nod, unable to speak because of my dry throat. And then, just as I think it can’t get any more intense, it somehow does. All the air leaves my lungs the moment I see the way he’s looking at me. Despite the cold room, heat flares in my veins, my stomach tightening with need. This might not be the most ideal place to make love, but right now it doesn’t seem to matter. I want him. As if he can hear every thought in my head, Evan smirks. My eyes narrow. Then he sighs, nodding subtly to the people in the room. I glance around, exhaling at all the eyes lingering on us. This is absolutely the worst time to be getting aroused, especially with our families in the room.
I clear my throat, trying to tamp my erratic hormones down.
