Page 56 of Rise By Sin

“I love you too, Ava. I always have,” he gasped in the second we broke apart. His hands started to roam over my body as I slid my own into his hair ang hung on as he kissed me more slowly this time.

My hands had found their way down to his tightly packed abs when the silence around us was broken by the loud ringing of my cell phone. I hadn’t even realized I had it in the pocket of the sweats I was wearing. I guessed I put it there earlier and I hadn’t even bothered to change since.

“You should get that,” Mason groaned as he released me and banged his head back against the counter in annoyance. “It might be Kylan. He was really upset after seeing the surveillance footage and the guy who had Colt. Jack tried to get him to stay the night, but he wouldn’t,” he explained as I fought to free my iPhone from my pocket, eager to answer it if it were Ky needing someone to talk to.

“Hello?” I picked up the call. The number was coming up as unknown but I assumed Kylan could be calling me from his home or his restaurant.

“Is this Ava Scott?” A female voice asked. I looked to Mason with confusion as I replied it was. “I’m calling from Mount Sinai hospital. He was just brought I and gave me your name and number to call before he passed out. I’m going to need you or another relative to come down here as soon as possible,” she toldme like she’d made the call a thousand times, and I knew she probably had, but that didn’t make it any easier for me to take in.

“My brother? Colt? Is he hurt? Is he alive?” I cried as I slid off of Mason’s lap and fought to get to my feet.

“Speaker, Ava,” Mason told me as he stood easily and pulled me up with him, pressing me to his front as I placed the call on loudspeaker.

“He’s alive, but about to be rushed into surgery. His injuries are concerning and the police have been notified already.”

“I’m on my way. I’ll be right there,” I told her before hanging up. I knew she wouldn’t tell me much over the phone. I needed to get down there.

“Go and get some clothes on. I’ll call the station and find out what they know so far. You need to wake Jack and call Kylan too,” Mason directed as I just stood shaking in his arms.

“He’s alive,” I whimpered as tears started to fall. “He’s really alive.”

“He is, baby. I told you he was a tough sonofabitch. Let’s wake Jack and he can help you while I call the station, okay?” Mason suggested instead when I didn’t move from his arms. I knew I needed to move. I had to get to the hospital, but the relief was so great that it left me frozen. I had tried to hold on to hope, but I had been so sure deep down that we were going to be too late for Colt. Finding out he had escaped and was alive was overwhelming.

I didn’t hear what Mason said as he passed me over to Jack in the hall outside the bedroom, but the next thing I knew I was sat in Jack’s lap in my room.

“Ava, we need you to talk to us, love,” Jack was saying as I seemed to snap back to reality. I gave myself a shake, annoyed how badly I had zoned out.

“I’m okay. I have to call Kylan. Can you get me a shirt to put on?” I asked as I turned my cell in my hand and started scrolling for Ky’s contact.

“Do you need some meds? Are you in pain?” he fussed, but I shook my head and slid from his lap to sit on the end of the bed.

Kylan answered the phone groggily and I knew I had woken him.

“He’s alive, Ky! He must have escaped and someone found him. He’s at Mount Sinai!” I rushed out all at once.

“What? Mount Sinai? How is he?” Ky asked, very suddenly fully awake now.

“They said he was going into surgery and that he has a lot of injuries, but he’s alive. Can you meet us there?”

“I’m already out the door. I’ll call a friend and arrange some security to be posted at the hospital. If Colt escaped this psycho, there’s a chance he’ll come after him again. I’m not risking that.”

“Thank you. I didn’t even think about that. He’ll be safe while he’s in surgery for now at least.”

“We’ll get him through whatever comes next, Ava. He’s alive, that’s what matters,” Ky added, obviously hearing the worry in my voice. I knew he was right, but I was terrified about the condition we were all about to find Colt in after over a week at the hands of a serial killer.

“I know. I’ll see you there.” I hung up the phone and let out a deep breath. Colt was alive. That was what I had to focus on. Ky was right.

“Come and sit for me, Ave. Let me get some clothes on you and we can get to the hospital,” Jack urged as he caught my wrist and gently guided me to sit on the edge of the bed.

“Ky is arranging security at the hospital incase that monster comes after Colt to finish the job. I should have thought of that. I can’t fuck anything else up, Jack,” I told him.

“Stop trying to take everything on your shoulders. We’re all here for Colt. We’ll all make sure to take care of him and protect him. He’s going to be alright.” Jack promised as he knelt on the floor and started putting socks on my feet.

“He’s alive,” I whispered to myself as it finally seemed to sink into my brain. My brother was alive.

“He’s alive,” Jack repeated as he looked to me with a crooked smile. He stood and kissed the top of my head, then pulled a t-shirt and sweater over my head that I hadn’t even seen him pick up. They were mine and the inane thought that someone had done my laundry for me hit me.

“We need to call Deacon too. He’s been here helping us every step of the way. He should know,” I suggested as I rose to my feet and grabbed for Jack’s arm when I instantly felt unsteady.

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