Page 42 of Tainted Rose

I don’t care that I’m angry with him. I still want him, still need him like I need my next breath.

The paramedics evaluate him, buzzing around the two of us, and decide to remove his helmet. My eyes are glued to them as they perform the task with painstaking caution, then fit a stability collar around his neck. Once the helmet’s off, I find myself leaning closer, ghosting a kiss over his cheek.

“Miss.”

My head whips around toward the deep voice of the paramedic behind me.

“We need to transfer him to the stretcher to get him into the ambulance. You’ll need to let go now.”

I nod, sucking in a gulp of air. “O-okay.” I squeeze my eyes shut for a second then lean forward, looking into his dark eyes, registering the panic I see there. “It’s going to be okay. They need me to let go of your hand.”

“Will you come?” he murmurs.

I nod, squeezing his hand one last time before I let go and stand. The paramedics work quickly, loading Xander into the ambulance.

My hands go to my cheeks as I breathe, trying to hold myself together. To no one in particular, I mumble, “My truck is still at my uncle’s garage.”

A big pair of hands fall to my shoulders, squeezing gently. Beau’s voice is low and husky near my ear. “Come on. One of us will take you to get it after we go see Xander. Can’t be without wheels.”

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