But, not wanting to show her just how deep my crazy went, I leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her mound before covering her up and reaching for her jeans.
“I am too, Princess. Don’t you worry.”
The soft smile she gifted me with made every lonely night seem worth it.
When we were dressed, we continued on our way, hobbling together down the trail, following the map to the location that Hawthorn had sent me in the last text that I was actually able to receive. And when, after what felt like weeks but was just over an hour, the parking lot came into view. I had never been more relieved to see my new friend looking a thousand times better than I felt, but still a little worse for wear.
What I hadn’t expected, however, was the ambulance he stood beside, the paramedics in the back working on someone who I couldn’t see, but somehow had a worried frown on Hawthorn’s face.
When he caught sight of us, his relief was palpable, and he jogged over right away, moving Daphne out from under my arm and taking over, supporting my weight like she had been doing for the last hour. I knew she had to be exhausted, but still she hesitated, her hold on me tightening before she finally relented and let Hawthorn step in.
“Damn good to see you, brother,” he greeted me before calling out to the paramedic that we were in need of attention.
The woman who looked up immediately grabbed a bag and headed our way, giving my leg a quick once over before directing us to the back of the ambulance where she could sit me down to clean and dress it for the ride to the hospital.
“You must be Hawthorn,” Daphne said, her hand on my shoulder like she couldn’t stand to not be touching me.
I wasn’t about to complain.
“And you must be the infamous Daphne,” he replied with a smile. “Glad to see you in one piece.”
“All thanks to this guy,” she said, nudging me gently.
“You were doing alright from what I could tell,” I groused, remembering her with that knife held high. “But I’m glad I was there all the same.”
“Me too,” she whispered, her eyes watery.
I reached for her, twisting my torso so the paramedic could continue to clean my wound while I pulled my girl close.
“Daphne,” I breathed, wanting to say so much more than that, but unable to find the words. But as she looked into my eyes, her face lighting up with joy, I could see that she understood. She could see all the things I felt and appreciated them even, if they were left unsaid.
“I know, Silas. I know.”
I would have kissed her, hauled her onto my lap even, stab wound be damned, but at that moment, a commotion from within the ambulance drew both our attention, and the man inside who I hadn’t even considered up to this point raised his head and drew the oxygen mask off his face.
“Daphne?” he wheezed, his voice barely audible because he was so weak.
Daphne looked at him, her jaw falling open in shock before she shouted, “Xander? You’re alive?”