Page 78 of Bought By Santa

“Jack’s a fighter. He’s not going anywhere,” she states with conviction.

“Damn right he isn’t,” I manage to say, my voice hoarse. I’m holding on by a thread, and she’s the only thing keeping me stitched together.

“Let’s get some air. You need to breathe.” She tugs at my arm, guiding me away from Jack’s room, away from the blinking monitors.

“All I need is you, Hellcat,” I rasp.

“Come here,” she pulls me close, and I feel her lips press against mine. A surge of longing rushes through me, desiremingling with the pain and fear that’s been gnawing at my insides. Her mouth moves against mine, each kiss a brand, marking me as hers just as she’s mine.

The double doors swing open, a cold draft accompanying the arrival of more people. Dad walks with an indifference that chills my blood. Ruby trails behind him, her tears slicing through the silence of the hallway like a siren’s wail.

“Ruby.” Carolina releases my hand, stepping toward my sister with a softness that belies her steel core. It’s a contrast to the helpless rage that’s keeping me rooted to the spot.

“Carolina,” Ruby sobs, her usual composure as shattered as the family we’re scrambling to keep whole.

“Shh, it will be okay. We’re all here for Jack,” Carolina says, her arms wrapping around Ruby in a protective embrace. For a moment, I see a flicker of something like gratitude in Ruby’s tear-streaked face.

“Thank you,” Ruby murmurs, leaning into Carolina’s comfort. “For being… for being here for all of us.”

Carolina nods, pulling back to lock eyes with Ruby. “We’re family now. That’s what we do.”

Their exchange—a silent pact sealed in understanding and shared pain—cuts through the tension. My woman’s compassion is boundless, her spirit unyielding. It’s then that I know despite the darkness at our door, her light won’t be dimmed. Not by fear, not by grief.

“Let’s go check on Jack,” I suggest, feeling a resurgence of purpose.

“You two go,” Carolina says, gently pushing Ruby toward me. “I have a few more things to take care of.”

Fuck, how I love this woman.

We stay in the hospital for two days.

Ruby spends her time glued to Jack’s side, only leaving when Carolina orders her away. Usually it’s because the doctors need privacy, or when she’s trying to get my sister to eat or sleep.

Throughout the days, Carolina doesn’t falter once; she stays on top of everything and everyone. Masterfully arranging the security rotation with Marco so everyone can get at least a couple of hours of sleep. She even takes care of Sergei, who needed to have surgery as well, though his injuries weren’t fatal.

“Carolina?” I call, when I don’t immediately see her after I’ve dozed off in one of the chairs in Jack’s room.

“Here,” she confirms as she steps through the door. “Do you need anything?”

The black circles below her eyes tell me she hasn’t slept at all, which doesn’t surprise me. Even so, her eyes gleam with satisfaction, like only someone who’s thriving do. Maybe she is.

I yawn and stretch, pulling my phone out to check the time. Christ, it’s the middle of the goddamn night. As I look around, I notice Ruby sitting close by, her eyes droopy as though she’s seconds from falling asleep.

“Is Dad still around?” I ask, my mind reeling from the hushed conversations I’ve overheard between him and someone on the other end of his phone. There was something in his tone—a shifty unease I’ve never caught onto before. It pricks at my gut, a warning I can’t shake off.

“No,” she says. “He—”

“He got a call and had to leave.” I whip around at the sound of my brother’s croaked voice.

“You’re awake,” I state, not sure how I missed it when I woke up.

He nods. “I’m not sure I’m happy about that,” he grumbles with a wince. “Everything fucking hurts.”

I shoot him a grin as I approach. “That’s because you’re a fucking pussy.”

“I’d rather be fucking pussy,” he retorts, waggling his eyebrows.

Jack looks good, really good, actually. He’s no longer so pale he could have a white-off with the sheets, and his mood seems to be good. “It’s good to have you back,” I say, clasping his shoulder.

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