Page 247 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

Pale as a fucking ghost.

In a familiar jersey over her gorgeous gown, which has rips and burn marks.

She’s curled up, arms around her legs that press against her chest, and in front of her bare feet that are covered in scars, bruises, and burns is that jewelry box.

The one her mom gave her before she died.

I take a shaky breath, my eyes watering once more, and whisper what feels so hard to say with a dry throat.

“Mikayla Baby?”

She lifts her head, the pace so slow and weak, if I was a few minutes late, she wouldn’t be awake.Her eyes are barely open, red and puffy from tears, but the lift of her head reveals the hidden jewel she was ready to sacrifice her life for.

The necklace.

That special heirloom passed down from generation to generation.

It’s crazy how that fact isn’t what makes it so valuable.

The truth of its importance is what lies inside the moonstone orb, cradled in pure silver.

My father’s ashes.

“Ma…dd…ox?” My girl looks so disorientated, I kneel before her in a heartbeat.

“It’s me, Baby Girl.” I struggle to speak as I press my forehead against hers before kissing her forehead. I want to kiss her so badly, but I can’t take any more needed oxygen from her. She needs the rest of her energy to survive.

I’ll kiss her for hours when we get out of here alive.

“I’m here, Mkaykay. It’s me, Maddox. You know it’s me, yes?”

She blinks a few times, but she manages a slight nod.

“The… necklace.”

“Yes, Baby Girl,” I try not to get emotional as I quickly grab the jewel box. It’s not too big, but I know I won’t be able to hold it or place it in my pocket without the off chance it’ll break.

“I… had to protect… your… Dad,” she whispers, and for a moment, I’m frozen as I look into her weak blue eyes.

“Protect?” I don’t understand her logic, yet her eyes gain a sparkle of hope as she tries to smile.

“I… didn’t… want… your Dad… to die again,” she admits as she moves her shaking hands to her chest, laying her scratched and slightly burned fingers on the important piece. “He’d be all alone here… and it’s so hot… so I had to save him… protect him…” She gives me her best smile now, even as her eyes are drooping.

“Maddox… is coming…” she whispers. “That’s… what… I told him.”

Maddox is coming…

She knew in her heart I’d come for her.

I ignore my tears as I quickly blink my eyes and tightly hold the jewelry box in my possession.

“I’ll always come for you, Baby Girl,” I vow.

Her head is drifting forward, but she quickly lifts it back up in reflex, desperate to stay awake.

“I… know.”

I quickly place the jewelry box in her hand, wrapping her fingers around it.

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