Page 35 of Eye of Her Storm

“Perfect.”

They said goodbye, and River dropped the phone to her side. She had to get up off the floor and go upstairs before the guys came in for the day. Thankfully, she had time. Right now, she just ached all over, and she just didn’t quite have it in her to move.

* * * *

“Where the fuck are you?”

Tai’s eyes widened as River’s sister ripped him a new one. “I’m checking the fences north of the house. Why?”

“You’re supposed to be taking care of River. That’s what you guys insisted on; that’s why she moved in with you. And something’s wrong with her.”

He was already running for the four-wheeler he’d driven out here. “What do you mean? What’s wrong with her? She was fine an hour ago.”

Terror unlike any he’d felt until now clawed through him with ice-cold fingers.

“I don’t know,” Paisley admitted. “I was about to head over there, and she suddenly called and canceled—like ten minutes later. She sounded off. Just really off.”

“I’m on my way to her.”

“Call me when you get there—you better call me!”

Paisley was such a mama bear to her sisters.

“I will. Promise,” Tai vowed.

He disconnected then tried to reach Seth, but his partner was farther out and didn’t have a signal. Tai left him a message to let him know what was happening, trying to sound calm and not as panic-stricken as he felt. What if something horrible had happened to River? They were supposed to have more time with her—she was supposed to have more time. Surely, Fate wouldn’t rob them of the small window they’d been given. But, if he’d learned nothing else in life, he’d learned that Fate was a horrible bitch, always snatching away hopes. Seth would berate him for that mentality, but other than Seth himself, Tai hadn’t found much long-lasting good in life.

Speeding as fast as he dared, he raced toward the house. The vehicle skidded to a stop as he reached the stairs. Barely waiting for it to shut off, Tai jumped from it and raced up to the porch and into the house.

“River!” he yelled. He burst into the living room at a run, his heart stopping when he saw River on the floor near the desk. “River…” He rushed to her, falling to his knees as soon as he reached her side. His leg hit the phone she must have used earlier, and it skittered away. He shoved back the desk chair to make room for himself.

You’re not supposed to be here yet.”

“What happened? What’s going on? Do I need to call an ambulance?”

“I’m okay,” she whispered. “Just got dizzy then fell.”

“Where are you hurt?” He couldn’t keep the sharp demand from his voice. His chest constricted so much with his worry, he felt as if he might crumple inward. If anything happened to her…

Shit. Realization slapped him hard. He knew their destiny—her destiny—but until this moment the full truth hadn’t struck him. Now, it hit and sank deep and hard. He wouldn’t survive this. He wouldn’t survive losing her.

“I’m fine,” she insisted. “Just smacked my head, and I think I landed on the chair. Must have bounced because I wasn’t on the chair when I came to.” She chuckled, and Tai fought the urge to snap that it wasn’t funny.

“You knocked yourself out?”

“I think so.”

“I’m taking you to the doctor—”

“No. I’m fine. Just a bit dizzy still, and I ache from where I hit, but I’m not really hurt.”

“How do you know?”

“Oh for God’s sake,” she whispered and tried to push up on her elbows. Shaking her head after a moment, she sank back and dropped her arm over her eyes. “I just know. I promise, okay? My head hurts; don’t make me explain this. I’m not going to a doctor. Okay?”

Before he could answer, the front door slammed open. “River!”

“In here,” Tai called to Seth. His partner rushed to their side.

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