This time, I aim for the head. No, I don’t want his death to be quick, but I can’t risk him hurting Rose, and I don’t know how much longer I can hold on.
Pulling the trigger, I watch the bullet enter Drake’s head. The best part is, he never saw it coming. He thought he was safe, but you’re never safe when you fuck with me or something that is mine. His head snaps to the side a moment before his body falls to the floor like a rag doll.
Rose lets out a pained scream, and I do everything I can to get to her, but there is so much blood, and every time I try and push up off the floor, I slip, falling back down onto my arms.
“Shhh, sweets, it’s okay. Everything is going to be okay,” I mumble, black spots forming over my vision.
“Miles, please, please, don’t die,” Rose’s frantic voice fills my ears, and when I reach her, I grab onto her foot, squeezing it to let her know that I’m here.
“Love youuuu…” I whisper as the life seeps out of me and onto the cold concrete floor. If I never wake up, at least, I know I saved her and told her I loved her.
At least, I know she’ll be okay. That Drake and Tony will never be able to hurt her again.
“Miles…” Rose screams again, the sound like a knife cutting through every inch of flesh on my body. Then heavy footfalls fill the room. More of his men are coming.
I try and open my eyes, to lift my gun at the enemy, but I’m weak. My finger slips against the trigger, and the gun falls to the floor.
I’ve failed her.
Failed us.
14
Rose
Blood. There is so much blood. It’s everywhere and all I can see. Three men are on the floor surrounding me. I don’t care if Drake and Tony are dead. Actually, I’ll be happy if they are, but Miles. Miles can’t be. He can’t be dead. I need him.
My sobs are so loud, I hardly hear the footsteps as someone enters the room.
The tears make my vision blurry, so it takes me a moment to realize that it’s Nick who just came into the room.
“Are you hurt?” he asks me as he cuts the zip ties binding my wrists and feet together. I nod my head, yes, because speaking isn’t an option right now. My heart feels like it’s cracking down the middle, splintering inside my chest.
As soon as I’m free, I stumble off the chair. My legs are stiff, and it takes all the strength I have to take the two steps I need before falling on my knees beside Miles’s limp body. Taking his face into my hands, my eyes scan his face for any signs of life.
He can’t be gone. He can’t be.
“I need you to move, Rose. We have to get you both out of here before more men show up.” I register in my mind what Nick is saying but can’t bring myself to release Miles’s face.
Someone comes up behind me and wraps their arms around my middle, pulling me backward, and no matter how hard I try and fight them, no matter how much I cry, I don’t get any closer to Miles.
“It’s okay.” One of Miles’s men attempts to soothe me as he drags me out of the warehouse and into the dark night. Cool air kisses my skin, the cold seeping into warmth as I’m placed in one of the black SUV’s. My entire body is shaking, crippling fear makes it hard to breathe, to do anything, but simply exist. All I can think about is Miles. If he’s okay, or even still alive.
Three men carry Miles out of the building after me. They place his limp body inside the car beside me while Nick gets into the driver’s seat.
I move around so I can have Miles’s head on my lap. His eyes are closed, and for a moment, I think he is not breathing, but when I place a hand on his chest, I find it rising and falling with each of his breaths. A small amount of relief washes over me, and all I can do now is say a silent prayer, begging whoever is listening to keep his heart beating.
“Are you sure?” I ask. I have to make sure I heard what the doctor is saying because when they wheeled him away and down the hall hours ago, I was certain we were going to lose him.
“Yes, your fiancé is going to make a full recovery,” he explains, and I slump back into the uncomfortable waiting room seat. I had to tell them that we’re engaged so they would give me updates. Nick, who told them he is his brother, looks equally relieved at the doctor’s response. Nick has been sitting next to me the entire time, never leaving my sight. I’m not completely sure if he is making sure I’m safe or making sure I don’t leave. Either way, I’m thankful not to be here alone right now.