Page 66 of In the Grey of Dawn

“Please, Pasha. Don't leave me. I need you,” I sob, feeling the tears run down my face.

My finger drags past the severed artery, grazing the edge of it as I focus on trying to clamp it with my fingers. The sweet wave of relief flooding my system when I have it pinched between my fingers.

I can do this. I can save him.

Looking to him, I try to find comfort in this moment of chaos. Unable to hear the words as he mouths what I can only hope is him saying,I love you.

Tears continue to stream down my face as the wind whips around us despite being inside.

Scanning the room, I see Tristan standing several metres away looking between us and the door, his face shrouded in fear but I won't waste a second more than I need to trying to figure out what he’s panicked about. Every last moment I have will be spent trying to save the man I love.

Faint screams come from Tristan's direction. A determined cry as he sprints towards us. Throwing all caution to the wind as I cover as much of Porter’s body as I can but in doing so, my hand slips from his arm. The artery I had found only moments before slipping away from me.

I can’t help the sob of despair that escapes, the instant dread that settles deep in my stomach.

Awkwardly, I fling myself on Porter's lap, bringing his head to mine as I say over and over, “Stay alive for me, don't give up, please stay alive for me.”

Despite the boomingwhupwhupwhupwhupsound, I need to say the words for both of us as I wait for Tristan's attack.

Holding Porter fiercely, I don't let go when nothing happens. Wasting precious seconds for the imminent attack that never comes. Lifting my brow from where it is nestled into his neck, I see Tristan spread out on the floor, half of his head missing as Dimi stands over him unloading his clip. Bullet after bullet tearing through flesh and bone until he is nothing more than a meat sack waiting to decompose.

My eyes lock with Dimi’s and I know that he will watch over me as I scramble off Porter's lap, resuming my search for his artery. His eyelids hang heavy, the amount of blood he’s lost evident as he struggles to stay awake.

“Please.” I can't help but beg. “Please don't leave me.”

The tears fall from my face, dropping onto his hand as I try to stop the bleeding. Staring into his eyes as they slowly shut and I can't help but close mine at the same time. If I can't see him fading from me then it's not real.

It can't be real.

“Thirty seconds,” Dimi yells into my ear and I still don't open my eyes.

Please, gods.

Lila.

Help me.

Suddenly, the soft pulse of flowing blood skims my fingertips and I feel the sinewed texture I’m looking for.

I found it.

Thank you gods for listening.

Thank youLila,for keeping him with me. Pinching it closed, I remain focused on my goal of keeping his artery secure as I open my eyes to chaos.

Porter is slumped in the chair while Dimi tries to cut away his bindings. A swarm of people surround us. Someone puts a headset over my ears, drowning out the all consumingwhupwhupwhupsound. I can hear people talking clearly through the headset speakers, a microphone pressed in close to my mouth.

“I need you to move your hand.”

A stern voice shouts as someone tries to pull my arm away and I unleash, screaming to everyone,I've clamped his artery. If anyone tries to touch me I will kill them.

I feel feral in my protection of him but until we're in a hospital or there is a surgeon ready to take over, I will not be moving from this position.

The tension in the room is palpable as they move us onto a waiting gurney and we are transported outside when the source of the noise, a medevac helicopter hovers precariously in the car park. Trust Dimi tojusthave something ridiculous like a helicopter available to him. I barely register the flight to the hospital as I'm secured on top of Porter, straddling him as I focus on keeping my fingers pinched. Keeping the life of my other half stable as the medical team works around us.

Chapter 40 - Charlie

Where’s My Love - SYML?

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