“Last I checked, it was Friday, and I was at the club.” I turned to face Lina. “Is Dad…dead?”
“No.” Fear flashed over her eyes.
I went to sit up, but Lina and the nurse held me down. Dad wasn’t dead? But I’d killed him. I felt his heart stop while I choked that son of a bitch.
“Marshal’s got him. He’s chained to a hospital bed.”
“No! He’ll—he could escape.”
“Shhh. He’s drugged. Limp as an overcooked noodle.” Lina pushed my hair back. “Lay back. It’s fine. We’re safe.”
“I lost it…couldn’t stop. He said he took you. I—”
“Calm down, Hunter,” the nurse said. “You’ll tear out the stitches.”
I glanced down my body, finally taking inventory of my situation. I was lying in a hospital bed with a flimsy sheet over my lower half. The nurse poked at my left side, and I remembered what’d happened.
Dad had pulled a knife from his boot and stabbed me. Like the trained killer he was, he went for my femoral artery when he’d tackled me at my waist. I’d deflected him enough and got a blade to my thigh instead. The slice was big, and I felt the loss of blood almost immediately, but it’d triggered my beast even more.
Only snippets of what happened next filtered through the red haze. But one part I remembered for sure was sitting on top of him, choking him. He’d gotten two more jabs with his damn knife, but I knew I couldn’t let go until he was dead. Look how easily he’d stab his own son, his flesh and blood, I couldn’t imagine what he’d do to Lina or Mom.
Even Bill or Drey for that matter.
The nurse scurried out of the room, promising she’d return soon with some pain medication. I was just glad she was gone.
I turned toward Lina. “Where’s Bill? Dad said—”
“He’s fine.” Lina glanced around then leaned in. “Lisa’s fine, too. She went to get a soda.”
“You’re safe. I’m sorry. I—”
“Shh.” She kissed my cheek. “I’m sorry, Hunter. So sorry. I—was scared. When I found everything out—I was so hurt.”
“I’d broken your trust.” I nudged her chin with my finger. “So sorry I lied. I love you, Lina. Love you so much.”
“I love you, too, Hunter—er—should I call you Brett?”
“No. Like I said before, Brett’s dead.” I pulled her in for a kiss.
Her soft mouth molded to mine, and she gently placed her hands on my chest. “Ready for your ring back?” She leaned to the side then held up my ring of strength that matched hers. I offered her my forefinger, and she smiled as she slid it on.
She reached to the side again, and a red hue settled over her pale cheeks. “Um…they gave me all the belongings they found on you…” She smiled. “There was another ring.”
Oh no!
She held up the engagement ring I’d bought for her. “Lina. I—”
“I hope this is for me?”
I laughed, but my stomach objected to that wholeheartedly. “No. It’s for my other soul mate. I hate that you found it like this.”
“Only fitting, right? The first time you met me I was unconscious.” She held up the ring. “Makes sense I find this while you’re unconscious.”
“Don’t make jokes, it hurts.”
Her face went grim. “I’m sorry.”
“Give that to me.” She placed the gem in my hand and smiled. I pushed up as much as I could and held it up, the two-carat diamond flickering beneath the sodium lights. “Angelina Raine, will you marry me?”