Page 64 of Wild Card

“Wolf’s with me. He’s stepped on a piece of broken glass. Not sure of the damage but he’s cut.”

“Shit, I’ll try to get?—”

“I’ll take care of him. You have someone go over to your sister’s house to shut it down and clean up the mess.”

“I’ll call Bex now.”

“Appreciate it.”

I hang up and grab Willow’s hand, my thumb tracing over her wrist until it finds her pulse.

Slow but steady… each beat a little reassurance.

What the fuck happened to her?

9

WILLOW

Fire scaldswhen I try to swallow. The sensation sears my esophagus. I twist, gasping from the rippling pain in my abdomen, and burrowing deeper into the mattress.

God, I’m exhausted.

Unfortunately, my body and mind have other ideas. Sweat slowly trickles down my back. The sheets are soft, but the blanket is sweltering. I kick to free myself and the stab in my stomach intensifies.

“Owwwww.”What happened to me?

A wispy softness brushes over my forehead as I clutch onto the mattress to push the hurt away.

“Try not to move, I got you.” Talon’s gruff voice breaks into my thoughts.

“Maybe this will help.” Cool air blasts over me and the blanket is gone. I sigh in relief until recognition hits. Was that Grandma?

A loud beeping screeches, jolting me fully awake.

My vision is blurred and vertigo washes over me, my stomach convulsing. I cry out, causing a new ache as my lip throbs.

“Jesus, baby, stay still.”

My head pops up, my vision clearing as Talon’s worried face comes into view.

“Talon?” I croak.

“Here, sweetheart.” A straw is thrust in front of me and I suck eagerly until it’s whipped away. “Not too much, just sips for now.” Grandma places her hand on my forehead and breathes out. “I think the fever has broken.”

My eyes dart to Talon, and I realize I’m half-sprawled across him. It wasn’t the mattress I was clutching, it is his chest. My gaze lands on the tube attached to my inner elbow, an IV leading to a bag of clear liquid. Dad, Grandpa, and Chase crowd the end of a hospital bed.

“What—”

“Shhh, talking will irritate your throat.” Grandma pats my cheek. “You gave this old lady a scare. I lost ten years of my life when I got the call.”

I rack my brain for any explanation.

I woke up at four a.m. feeling off. Stomach turning, head pounding, chills, hot flashes, shaky and weak. Called into work and went back to bed. Got up to let Wolf out and get a drink. My glass slipped out of my hand.

That’s the last thing in my recollection.

“Why am—” I rasp and Chase hands me my phone.

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