Page 101 of Pretty Black

“He’s alive.” It was the worst thing I’d ever had to say. “They revived him before the paramedics took him.” There was no other way to start a phone call like this. He’d want to know.

“Overdose or...” His voice was hollow.

“Overdose. We’re on our way to the hospital. Meet us there.”

“I’ll be there.”

We hung up, and I darted into the ER before Felix came to a full stop, not caring if they kept up with me. “Iris Black.”

The woman behind the desk stared at me wide eyed. She knew who I was. I knew the look well, but I couldn’t do this tonight. I couldn’t be Caspian Locke. I needed to be only Iris’ boy friend tonight.

“They brought him in via ambulance,” I said, getting even more frantic.

“Let me find out. You have to wait here.” She reached out and squeezed my arm before leaving.

She might have been gone for two minutes or an eternity. It felt like I’d lived a lifetime without him already.

Finally, she led me back to a calmer Iris. Dazed people worked around him. As soon as his gaze landed on me, he tried to climb out of bed, fighting the nurses, pulling monitors off himself. He got to the edge of the bed at the same time I did.

“I didn’t mean to. I wasn’t—”

“I know.” I smoothed my hands over his hair. “Let them do their jobs. Please.”

He shook his head, clinging to me. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, hugging him into my chest while the nurses reattached all the leads he’d pulled off.

“Do you believe me?” he whispered.

“Yes.”

He shook through a sob. “I’m so sorry.”

“I’m not mad at you.”

“You should be.” His fingers fisted in my tee. “Don’t leave me.”

“Sir, you need to lie back.”

“No.” Iris gripped tighter. They weren’t going to get him away from me. We both needed the contact.

“I’ll get in bed with you. Come on.”

It took some awkward maneuvering, but we managed to stay together and get him into a position where they could do their jobs. They moved us to a private room, hidden away in another part of the hospital where they put high profile patients. Elijah and Felix took a stand, one at the elevator and the other at his door.

Finally, we were alone.

“I’m sorry,” he said again.

“No more apologizing. But I do want to know what happened when we get out of here. I think it’s fair for me to ask.”

“Okay.” He was silent for a long time. “I want to live. Don’t let me go. Please.”

“I won’t let go.”

He slept, and the guys filtered in and out, bringing me tea and coffee and pastries. They rotated sitting with us because they’d only let two of us in the room at a time. I called Dr. Kahn and let her know in case Alexander tried to admit Iris again, then Mr. St. Clair.

After a thorough check out, they let him sleep.

“You can’t hold all of Iris on your shoulders.” Lowe scooted his chair closer, keeping his voice soft.

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