Page 122 of Poisoned Pawn

Her heart stopped fucking beating, and so did mine.

Breath.

Chest compressions.

Breath.

Chest compressions.

It goes on and on.

They get her back and rush her out to the ambulance. Roxanne rides with her, even though she offered for me to instead.

But I can’t.

I almost took Maddox’s head off when he finally managed to pull me out of the way. I don’t imagine I’ll help anyone if I kill the paramedics if Star… I don’t let my mind finish that thought.

I watch as the ambulance pulls away, then turn back toward the house just as they wheel Lennox’s body out. Frankie comes out behind them holding Sloane up, her face turned into his body.

I don’t even remember Frankie arriving. There’s no sign of Zak or Aidan, and I momentarily wonder where they are.

Maddox steps in front of me. “You ready?”

I hold his gaze a moment as I think about if I’m ready to find out if I’ve just lost the other half of me.

I’ve never considered myself a coward, but I feel like one now as my mind tells me to walk away. Do anything to save my heart the hurt of losing the woman I love.

“I can read your fucking mind, Carter. You’re not going to walk away because that’s not who you are. Let’s go.”

At the hospital, we find Roxanne pacing the corridor near the doors to the operating theatre. Thankfully, the drive over here has given me time to give myself a good fucking talking to.

“Roxanne,” I call, her back to us as we approach.

She spins on her heels, her thumb pulling away from her mouth as she marches to meet us.

“She’s in surgery. The knife lacerated her left kidney, but they are hopeful they can repair it. If not, they may have to remove it.”

“Fuck!” I curse, dropping down into a seat, elbows resting on my knees and hanging my head.

A shadow appears in front of me, then Roxanne drops to one knee in front of me.

“Carter,” she says gently, and I raise my head just enough to look into her eyes. “She’s going to be fine. Even with one kidney, she can live a normal life.”

“I know, but…” I shake my head. “Jesus. I wish I could bring that cunt back to life so I could do some real damage to him.”

“You’re not fucking wrong there,” Maddox says.

“What happened?” Roxanne asks, pushing back to her full height.

I blow out a ragged breath. “Sloane turned up and Rook was already riled up after I showed him what was left of his little fucking empire. He fucking stabbed her before I could take my shot. The son of a bitch knew I was going to shoot him, so he made sure to do as much damage as he could before I did.” I rub my hands down my thighs. “What happened to Fraser?” I ask Maddox.

“I had someone come and take him out the house before the cops arrived. No one but us knows he was even there.”

I’m nodding as he speaks, but the fact I don’t remember seeing anyone else except Maddox and Roxanne shows how focused I was on Star.

“Zak and Aidan?”

“Taking care of some business with Rick, but they are on their way. Pavel is dead, Carter. After we destroyed the warehouse, Zak and Maddox searched the whole place looking for Lev, but there was no sign of him or Akim.”

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