Seeing her like this breaks my heart. I miss seeing the smile on her face and the twinkle of joy in her eyes every time I would come and visit her. Never did I think the last time I saw her awake and happy would actually be the final time I’d see her that way. I can’t stop the tears from falling as I stand there holding her hand. My shoulders drop, and I bite my lip to hold back a sob.
“I miss you already, and you aren’t even gone yet.” I wipe my face with the back of my hand. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there; that I’ve been so busy and haven’t been able to come and visit as much. I wish we had more time. That this didn’t happen.”
Sniffling, I continue. “I’m so thankful that you took me in and gave me a future. I’ve enjoyed every minute of being with you, and I am proud to call you my mom.”
Bending down, I brush the grey hairs from her forehead and press a gentle kiss there. When I pull away, I’m crying so hard I can barely see. It’s like I’m losing a piece of my soul, a piece of my upbringing.
“I’ve got you,” Zane whispers, his arms circling my waist. He pulls me back against her chest, and I turn in his arms, needing someone to hold onto.
22
We stay for another twenty minutes, and I hate every second of it. I hate seeing Dove hurt, and I hate that we are here, out in the open where I can’t protect her. Not the way I want to, at least. After a short while, I know I have to tell her it’s time.
“Dove, we need to go. It’s not safe to stay here.”
She pulls away from my chest and nods in understanding. With her head hung low, I watch her walk over to Donna’s side once more.
She says her tearful goodbyes before turning back to me. I hold my arms open, and she falls into them, letting me lead her outside the room. Donna will be given a proper funeral, it’s the least I can do, and I know it will set Dove at ease to have her funeral taken care of.
“Everything is going to be okay, Dove. I promise it won’t always hurt this bad.” I try to console her, but her sobbing only intensifies. I walk her past the nurses’ station and down the hall. I’m so focused on Dove that I don’t pay attention to our surroundings the way I should. All I can think about is getting us out of this hospital and back to the bunker.
We take the stairs down to the parking garage, and as soon as we step outside, something feels off. I pause, pulling Dove even closer.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, peeking up at me through thick lashes.
“I don’t know yet.” I scan the area and spot two blacked-out SUVs in the same aisle we are parked. I take a step back, shoving Dove behind me as two car doors pop open. Shit.
Turning around, I take Dove’s face into my hands and stare deeply into her eyes. “Listen to me. I need you to go back inside and find a place to hide. Hide until I come and find you, okay?” I try not to sound panicked, but this is my worst nightmare being brought to life.
“What’s wrong?” She repeats, sounding more frantic this time. Tugging from my grasp, she tries to look over my shoulder.
“I’ll explain everything to you later, please, just go and hide. Please, Dove,” I say, feeling more desperate than I ever have before. She nods, and I release her, watching her step away from me. It hurts me physically to let her go, but I know I can’t protect her if she’s standing there watching me. I’m outnumbered and outgunned. I can’t fight them and keep her safe at the same time. When she disappears through the door leading into the stairwell, I turn around to face whoever Christian has sent to get me.
Color me fucking shocked when I see the asshole himself walking toward me, a triumphant smile on his smug-ass weathered face. “Did you really think you could hide forever?”
I shrug. “I wasn’t hiding from you. I was just taking a much-needed vacation.” Maybe I can get him to talk a little bit, which will give Dove a little more time to hide.
“Do I look like a fucking idiot, Zane?” He cocks his head to the side. Each step he takes brings him closer and me closer to death.
Two men flank him, and I know he’s got more men here somewhere. Christian is not stupid; he knows I could take out two guys with ease. As if they could read my mind, more car doors open, and four more men start to approach.