Page 202 of A Second Dawn

We enter Dr. Hartley’s office and close the door. He turns to us, his gaze locking onto mine.

“Your fiancé’s surgery was successful, but I won’t sugarcoat it. He’s in a critical condition. The next few hours will be crucial as we monitor his responses.” His voice is calm and measured.

“He’s alive!” The words escape my lips, as breathless relief crashes over me like a tidal wave, sweeping away the fear and uncertainty that has consumed me for hours. Then the rest of Dr. Hartley’s words sink in. Tiero isn’t out of the woods yet.

“A bullet penetrated his left ribcage. An inch higher and it would have been fatal. As it is, he was more than lucky it didn’t hit his spine. However, it punctured his stomach and left lung,” Dr. Hartley continues.

“There was extensive internal bleeding, which we were able to stop. But we nearly lost him twice, and he’s presently in an unstable condition.”

I blanch, the rug once more torn from beneath my feet. A tremor ripples through me, and my nails dig into my palms.

“A specialist from Calgary is being flown in and should arrive shortly. We’re doing everything we can for your fiancé. And rest assured he’s fighting to stay with us.”

I don’t know what to think or feel. My mind is a jumbled mess, as are my emotions.

“Can I see him? Please?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

The doctor nods, and my heart pounds as I follow him down a labyrinth of sterile corridors.

“Only one person at a time is allowed inside the room,” Dr. Hartley instructs.

With my heart hammering in my chest, I enter, while Ade and Claudette watch on through the large window looking into the room.

My fingers press against my lips, trying to stifle the sob that threatens to escape.

Tiero is lying so still on that hospital bed, a tangle of tubes and machines surrounding him.

Tears blur my vision, and my breath catches as I step closer. My hand reaches out to touch his. It’s so cold. Tiero’s hands are never cold.

I sit down on the chair beside the bed, trying to infuse him with my warmth… my love.

Summoning all my strength to speak his name, my voice cracks with the weight of my emotions.

“Tiero.” It’s a whisper, a plea, a declaration of love and despair. “I’m here, my love. Can you hear me?”

What a stupid question. But my mind comes up blank when I search for something better.

The rhythmic beeping of the machines is a cruel soundtrack to my heartache. I stare at our joined hands. Only this morning, we held onto each other, ready to explore the rest of our lives together. Now I’m faced with the other side of that coin.

This man means everything to me.

“Please God, please. Don’t take him from me.”

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Aiden

IwatchEllathroughthe observation window. She presses her fist against her mouth to stifle her sobs.

Despite her being upset and the never-slowing tears, I feel her relief deep in my soul that Gualtiero made it through surgery.

Strangely, I’m relieved too, even when a part of me had hoped he wouldn’t. Must be this damn triple flame connection. It’s the only explanation I can come up with.

I should want him dead. Then Ella would be mine.

I’d whisk her away from all this danger. With me, she’d always be safe, happy, and protected.

Of course it would take time for her to heal and get over her grief, but once she had, our connection would ensure that the chemistry between us would roar back to life.

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