Page 71 of Bound

“You okay, Princess?” he asks, the muscles in his arms strained as he studies me.

“I’m fine, Ash. just a little shaken,” I tell him, feeling even warmer when he leans in and places a gentle kiss on my forehead.

“You went so pale,” he murmurs into my hairline, pulling me close until his body is flush with mine. “Shit, I was scared, Princess.”

And it’s then that I realise that this must be bringing up awful memories for him too, memories of finding a loved one covered in blood but too damn late to help.

He holds me for a moment, surrounding me with his spicy ginger scent before pulling back, but keeping hold of my hand as we head up the few stone stairs that lead to some imposing glass front doors.

“The hospital has valet parking?” I ask incredulously, stepping through the automatic doors that open with a quiet swish.

“Only the best for the Black Knight families,” Loki drawls sarcastically on my other side as we walk on the marble floor towards the reception desk.

The inside feels a lot more like a normal hospital, with modern tech and the residue smell of antiseptic. It still has a glass chandelier though, just to make sure we all know that this is not a place for the peasants.Conceited fuckers.

“Janette Griffiths,” Jax announces in a gruff voice to the young receptionist, who looks up slightly startled before she schools her features and puts on an award-winning smile.

“Of course, she is expecting you Mr. Griffiths,” she says brightly, totally at odds with the situation. “Room two-oh-three, up the stairs, through the door, and third on the left.”

Jax grunts his thanks, then turns, heading in the direction of the stairs.

“Thank you,” I offer as I pass, giving her a smile which she returns tenfold.That’s just fucking creepy.

“You’re most welcome, Miss Darling,” she replies, and both myself and Ash stop in our tracks, looking at each other with matching looks of concern creasing our brows.

“Come on, Princess,” Ash says, putting aside that fuckery for another time as he leads me after the others.

We find the room easily, opening the door to see a huge space filled with bouquets of flowers, which act as pops of colour in the dim lighting. The curtains are drawn, and as I look over to the bed, to the machines that beep, I can see why.

My breath leaves me in a horrified gasp as tears fill my vision. Jax’s mum looks so small and helpless on the bed, her face a myriad of purple and blue, and one arm in a plaster cast.

“Mom,” Jax says, his voice shattered and broken. He strides to her bedside, picking up the hand that’s not in a cast as he lowers to a seat next to her bedside.

Her eyelids flutter open, and her chest rattles with a deep, painful breath as she slowly turns her head to look at him.

“Jax?” she asks, only able to open her swollen eyes a fraction.

“I’m here, mom,” he says, the heartbreak clear on his face. “The guys and Lilly too.”

“Lilly?” she questions, her voice rough, turning her head to try and find me in the gloom.

“Hi, Mrs Griffiths,” I say softly, letting go of Ash and stepping forward, walking towards her bed. I pick up her cup of water, placing a straw in it before bringing it to her lips for her to drink. Jax gives me a grateful look, his eyes shining.

“Thank you, Lilly dear,” she croaks, her voice less raspy than it was before. A lump forms in my throat, hating that she’s thanking me when it is partly my fault that she’s in this position in the first place.

“Was it him?” Jax bursts out, his voice hard and cutting. “Was it dad?”

An anguished look comes over her face then, and she doesn’t take her eyes off me as she replies.

“I’m not as strong as your mother was, Lilly. She was always the bravest of us all.”

My world spirals, my breath whooshing out of my chest as I look into her familiar piercing blue eyes, and see the truth of her words, even if I can’t understand them.

“What?” I whisper, but before she can answer, the door bursts open and a nurse strides in.

“Time for more...oh! I’m so sorry, I didn't realise that you had visitors,” she fumbles, flushing as we all stare at her.

“Not to worry, my dear,” Janette Griffiths responds, a kind smile tugging her split lip, making her wince. “I could do with some more pain relief.”

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