Page 6 of Rhys

A welcomed warmth from his body blanketed her as he leaned across her limp form to slam her door shut. In the seconds that followed, she felt the car take off, tires squealing as Rhys sped them away to safety.

She opened her mouth, or at least, she thought she did, because there was something she needed to ask him. Something she had to know. But the only sound that came out was a low, raspy moan.

The pain in her shoulder and chest intensified as Rhys pressed one hand over the area where the bullet had exited her body. Vanessa moaned again.

“Sorry, baby. Gotta stop the bleeding.”

Baby? Had he really just called her baby?

Not important. Need to ask him. Have…to…know.

Vanessa knew she was in trouble if even her thoughts were coming at a slow, broken pace. Mustering up the strength from somewhere deep inside, she opened her mouth and tried again.

The words came out as a whisper. One she wasn’t sure Rhys heard.

“What was that?” he asked from beside her. “I couldn’t hear you.”

Ignoring the urge to close her eyes and go to sleep, she lifted her gaze to meet his. Repeating the same words as before, she choked out a low, “Believe m-me…now?”

He stared down at her, his hard expression fierce. Vanessa thought she saw him open his mouth to answer her. Was almost certain he had.

But it was too late. The darkness had already pulled her under.

1

Rhys staredat Vanessa’s still form. Her flawless skin was pale. Too pale. And her brow was slightly furrowed as if she was hurting, despite the drugs currently running through her veins.

She hadn’t regained consciousness yet, but the doctor who’d removed the bullet had assured him she would. A fact that brought with it a massive wave of relief he didn’t understand.

You’re relieved because you still care about her.

Rhys studied her face again.

It didn’t matter that two years had passed or that she’d been shot. It didn’t matter that she was as white as a sheet or that her left arm was cradled in the safety of a dark blue sling. It didn’t even matter that her hair was a mess or that iodine still stained the skin surrounding the thick white bandage covering her wound.

She was still the most beautiful, most breathtaking woman he’d ever seen.

Too bad she’s a liar.

The door to the room opened, and the nurse in charge of Vanessa’s care entered the room. Appearing to be in her mid-forties, the dark-haired woman flashed him a smile as she sanitized her hands before donning a pair of disposable gloves.

“How’s she doing?”

“Still sleeping,” Rhys answered softly.

“Not surprising.” Joy—according to her name tag—walked over to the monitor positioned by the other side of Vanessa’s bed. “She’s under some pretty heavy medication and will probably sleep for another hour or two, at least.”

Rhys watched and waited as Joy went through the routine of checking Vanessa’s vitals before documenting them into her electronic tablet. Once that was taken care of, she went about replacing the near-empty I.V. bag before removing the gloves and tossing them into the trash.

She spoke as she made her way to the door.

“Her pulse is strong and steady, and her oxygen level looks good.” Joy looked him from across the room. “Dr. Yung said the damage to her muscles and surrounding tissue was surprisingly minimal, and the bullet missed her major arteries and vessels. She’s a very lucky woman, your girl.”

“Oh, she’s not—”

“Would you like something to drink?” The other woman’s offer cut him short. “We have bottled water, regular and diet soda, tea…”

Rhys slid Vanessa a sideways glance before nodded. “I’ll take a Diet Pepsi if you have it.”

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