“If you say so. You know all I want is for you to be happy. Are you going to tell Death Fisher is back?”
“They will cross paths eventually, but Fisher doesn’t know about Death and me and I want to keep it that way.”
“Duh. Last thing the man needs right now is that drama. Let’s go find Elaine.”
I don’t know if tracking down Death is a good idea but I’m going to do it anyway. I need him to know that I’m here. Even if he doesn’t want me to be. He said that I belong to him. I don’t know that he still feels that way or if he will once he learns Fisher is back and has no intentions of letting me go.
Death has problems of his own. Problems far greater than my own.
My issues with Fisher can’t compare to whatever he’s going through right now.
Yara spots Elaine and gets the room number.
I brace myself for whatever is to come and find him.
Death’s kneeling at his son’s bedside. The boy has a bandage around his head and tubes in his nose. My heart breaks at the sight of the two of them. Bensen appears so small, fragile, and lifeless. The pallor of his skin is ghostly.
Death looks up. His tortured gaze meets mine and I know there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to wipe that expression off his face. I also know that I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t have intruded.
Chapter Four
“God. I know we’ve never had a great relationship. If we’ve had one at all. I’ve never been a praying man, but I’m on my knees begging. Let my boy wake up from this. He’s got his whole life ahead of him. Take me in his place. Whatever price. I’ll pay it tenfold. Just don’t take my boy. Give me a sign. Any sign.”
A shadow falls over the doorway. I glance up to see Freya. Is this my punishment for wanting her? For being with her when I should’ve been home being a father? Is God taking my son to teach me a lesson for all my sins?
Freya offers me a weak smile.
Fuck me. Even in an oversized hoodie and eyeliner smudged around her eyes like a damn racoon she’s gorgeous. Prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.
I find my footing and walk toward her on the verge of collapsing and showing her how truly weak I am in this moment. I don’t know if she’s here to save me or to torture me further.
“Hi,” she whispers. Her pretty pink lips call to me. Beg me to claim them. To kiss her and never stop.
I want to crawl deep inside her and disappear so badly it hurts to look at her. “You shouldn’t be here,” I croak.
“I brought you a coffee.”
“Appreciate the thought.”
“How is he?”
“Main thing is the swelling on his brain. I’ll know more in the morning.”
“And you?”
I shake my head. “Don’t understand it. Not one broken bone. Some scratches. Bruises.”
“I mean mentally. How are you holding up?”
“Completely fucked in the head.” I accept the coffee and take a sip. The bitter liquid burns my throat. “Belinda’s likely paralyzed. Shattered her right hip bone. I tuned most of what they said out. Did you happen to notice if her family is still hanging around?”
“In the waiting room with the club. Well, on the other side of the room.”
“You should go home. Nothing you can do here.”
“I um wanted you to know that I’m thinking of you and if there’s anything I can do…name it. I’ll do whatever you need.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, but the last thing I can think about is us.”