Page 52 of Forever Yours

“You’re safe. I’ve got you. Calm down.”

A rapid, annoying beep infiltrated my panic and followed the same rhythm as my pounding heart. The stinging smell of antiseptic and rubbing alcohol invaded my senses through whatever was shoved into my nose.

I moaned a pitiful sound. It was all I could do.

“Hey.Shhh. You’re safe.”

I was safe. Fallon was there.

My crusted eyelashes ripped open when reality came crashing in, and I was met with concerned, pale blue eyes.

“There’s my guy.”

Fallon kissed me tenderly on the forehead. It felt good, soft, and eased some of the migraine that decided to throw a wild rave inside my brain.

“Keep your eyes on me. Only me,” he said, holding my face between his hands.

He looked like shit. His hair stuck up at odd angles, and his eyes held the semi-circle bruises of worry and fatigue. But it was Fallon. Familiar. Reassuring.

I stared into his hypnotizing sea of baby blues, wishing they were the pale gray of moonlight.

“Don’t try to move, okay? Let me get the doctor.”

I tried to talk, but the jagged shards of glass I apparently swallowed clogged my throat.

Fallon rubbed his thumbs across my cheeks, drying the tears I hadn’t known I’d been crying. Since his hold on my face prevented me from shaking my head, I blinked furiously at him.

“Julien,” I grunted.

He must have understood me. “I’ve been trying to reach him and Ry. I even tried to call Jay. No answer. I sent a pledge over to the condo. Nothing. I’ll keep trying. I promise.”

“Dad,” I coughed out and groaned when the pain hit. Did I have a broken rib? With as hard as the guy kicked me, I’d be amazed if I didn’t.

“I spoke with him earlier. He’s hauling ass to get here.”

“Ash.”

Did he come looking for me when I didn’t come back from the restrooms?

“Made him go back to the dorms. He fought me on it. Other than Jay, I’ve never heard anyone tell me to fuck off in such inventive ways.”

I’d smile if it didn’t hurt so damn much.

Fallon retrieved a small cup with a bendy straw from the rolling tray table next to my bed. He slid the straw through my cracked lips, urging me to drink. The cold water soothed as much as it stung going down.

Indicating I was done, Fallon put the cup back on the table.

“Tell me.”

I had so many questions. About what happened. Who found me? Who was the guy who attacked me? Did the police catch him? Why wasn’t Julien answering his phone?

“I will. Just give me a sec. You scared the fuck out of me. And I want the doctor to examine you first. You’ve been out since they brought you in three hours ago.”

Three hours?

“What time is it?” I asked.

He checked his phone. “Little after twelve.”

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