Page 154 of Ruthless Redemption

“Why?” I whisper. “What happened?”

“Adena.”

My stomach twists. “She’s the one who stabbed you?”

He nods against my head. No words are needed.

“I’m sorry.” I hug him tighter. “Is she the one who shot you?”

“No. I don’t know where that came from. She was running at me when it happened. All I felt was a punch to the gut. I thought I was anticipating her barreling into me, that my instincts were predicting the impact. It wasn’t until I tried to stand and get to you that things went south.”

He continues to play with my hair. Nurturing. Comforting. “Is everyone else okay? You weren’t hurt, were you?”

“No, but Lorenzo was shot in the leg.”

“Shit,” he mutters. “I didn’t even notice.”

“I don’t think he wanted to notice it himself. He wasn’t entirely cooperative when I tried to tourniquet the wound.”

His chest jostles with a chuckle. “That sounds like him.”

“But your brothers are okay. They’re waiting upstairs.”

“They didn’t go to Denver to help Abri?” His hand pauses in my hair.

“No. I assume they were too worried about you.”

“Have they spoken to her? Is she all right?Fuck. I need to find my phone and call Bishop.”

“I’ll look for it.” I push onto my elbow only to have him drag me back down.

“Give it a minute. I’m not ready to let go of you yet.” He holds me, the seconds folding into minutes. The constantbeep, beep, beepis a soundtrack to our quiet reunion.

I can’t go through this again.

I lost Benji. I thought I was going to lose Stella. Now Matthew. Our lives have to change moving forward.

“Are you still awake?” I ask softly.

“Yeah.”

“What are you thinking?”

“Just about what Lorenzo said earlier.” He plants a kiss to my forehead. “I think it’s time,mia dea.”

I close my eyes.Oh, God. My heart hammers.

“Marry me,” he whispers.

I squeeze my eyes tighter, clinging to his words for precious moments before I’m forced to let them go.

“Layla?”

“You’re high on pain meds.” I place a gentle hand against his chest. “Ask me again once the drugs have worn off.”

“La mia stella polare, you already know I spent some dark days jumping from one drug high to another. I might not be able to feel any pain but I’m not wasted.”

“Even so, this is a conversation for another time.” A vibration carries from the other side of the room, saving me with its distraction. “Do you hear that?”

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