Angel. He sounds like my Gabriel when he says it. What are we going to do? I need to call Cap and Cher. But it’s too late—or too early. I shouldn’t wake them up.
“I…” I step back, fighting back my tears. “I need to call your mom. Tell her you’re awake—” my voice cracks. I turn away, my whole body shaking as silent sobs erupt.
He’s broken. My Big Man is broken.
I’ll love him anyway. Always. Even if he can never lift a finger again. I’ll love every inch of him no matter the damage.
But he’s—oh my god, how will he feel about—
“Angel,” his bark has me pivoting, coming to his side. “You don’t hide from me. My body may be broken…” He taps his head and his heart. “But I’m still the same man you love in here.”
“Gabriel,” I sob, breaking down, falling into his arms.
“I’m the same man, Angel. You need to br-reak down, y-you do it wiff me. I’m your avenging angel.” His hold tightens.
“I’m sorr—”
“Frankie.” A firm touch. “Frankie! Wake up.”
“What?” I shoot straight up, blinking at Reese as the hospital disappears.Reese?“What… where—”
“You were crying in your sleep. I came in to check on you but thought I should wake you up. Your dream didn’t seem all that pleasant.”
“Gabriel!” I jump out of bed and scan the room for my phone. “I have to call Gabriel.”
“Here.” She dials on her phone and hands it to me.
Ringing.
I fall to the side of the bed and wipe my face with the sheet.
It was a dream.
It wasonlya dream.
* * *
GABRIEL
My arms full of grocery sacks, I fumble for my phone. “Ree?”
“Gabriel!”
“Angel?” I check my phone to be sure it’s Reese’s number calling me. It is. “What’s wrong?”
“Where are you?”
“Shopping.”
“Inside?”
“Why?”
“Stop!” she screams. “Oh my god, please stop. Are you inside the store still?”
“Yes. What’s going on?”
“Don’t move. Gabriel, don’t move!”