Page 137 of With this Ring

He gave a half-smile that simultaneously reassured her but reminded her how long of a path was ahead of them. “We’ll negotiate the terms later.”

The monitors continued their angry protest, and the nurse warned her that she needed to leave.

But in that moment, wrapped in Gregorio’s arms with his heart beating strong and steady beneath her palm, nothing else mattered.

He smoothed back hair from her forehead.

“Oh, Petal. What the hell am I going to do with you?”

The words echoed their first night together, but now they carried the weight of everything they’d been through—the near miss, every moment of protection, every toe-curling touch and command, every time she’d tried to deny what was between them. “I don’t know, Gregorio.” Her love overwhelmed her, making her voice crack. “Whatareyou going to do with me?”

“I fucking wish I could keep you forever.”

She blinked.“What?”

Of the millions of things she’d thought he might say, that was not on the list.

“I wish I could be the kind of man who deserved you.”

The monitors screeched.

“Are you…?” Her heart shattering, she pushed herself away.

What was he saying?

“Time’s up.” The nurse interrupted them.

“Gregorio.” Frantically, she shook her head. “No. Please.No…”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Over her sobs and protests, the nurse wheeled Sasha from the room.

This time, she barely felt the movement.

Her world had suddenly narrowed to the searing pain in her chest that had nothing to do with her injuries.

Hot tears spilled down her cheeks, but she didn’t bother wiping them away.

“I wish I could be the kind of man who deserved you.”

His words echoed through her mind, devastating her all over again. After everything they’d been through—the gunfight, nearly losing him, her sister’s anger—his words and the aching coldness in his tone was what broke her.

As she was pushed through the waiting area, she caught Hawkeye’s sharp intake of breath at her appearance. Damien stepped forward, concern etching his features, but she couldn’t meet his gaze. Couldn’t bear to see the pity there.

“Sasha…” Hawkeye started.

She shook her head sharply, the movement sending fresh pain through her ribs. The physical hurt was nothing compared to the way her heart was shattering.

“Please, keep moving,” she begged the nurse.

The wheels squeaked against the floor as the nurse guided her toward the elevator. The sound seemed to mock her—an echoing, painful reminder that she was being taken away from Gregorio, the one person she needed most.

The man who’d just pushed her away.

The man she loved.

Stupid, she thought bitterly.So stupid to think we could overcome everything standing between us. Stupid to think he cared for me as much as I care for him.

---