Page 47 of Redemption

I’m not sure if it’s a prayer or an irrefutable truth that I’m willing into the world.

I finally reach the blind fence, and acid burns my throat at the sight of the wrecked Jeep. I curse my feckless brother for his carelessness in leaving his keys where she could easily find them. And for his foolish taste in vintage vehicles that lack modern safety features like airbags. A sensible car would’ve protected her from the worst of the damage, but this aged behemoth could’ve crushed her delicate body.

I leap off the blind fence and barely feel the pain that shudders up my left leg as my ankle twists. I manage to stumble toward her. I can see her lovely face in profile. It’s covered in blood, and she’s slumped over the steering wheel. Her eyes are closed. She’s not moving.

Adrenaline increases my strength, lending me the leverage I need to wrench open the door. It screeches in protest, but I manage to get to her.

“Abigail. Abigail. Abigail…” I’m saying her name over and over, but she’s not responding.

Her blood is hot and slick on my hand when I gingerly cup her cheek. My stomach turns in pure revulsion at the gory sight, but I force myself to study her wounds with clinical precision. She’s bleeding heavily from a gash at her hairline. I can’t tell how serious the damage is, but it’s enough to have knocked her unconscious.

“Open your eyes, Abigail,” I command. “Look at me.”

But she doesn’t obey.

The longer she remains unconscious, the higher the likelihood of brain damage. She could have a fractured skull. Internal bleeding.

All I can assess now is the fact that she fucking bleeding all over my hands, and she’s as limp as a ragdoll.

I struggle to breathe through the fear that smothers my thoughts.

There’s a pulse at her throat. She’s breathing.

She’s alive.

And she’s going to be fine. I’ll make sure of it.

“Dane?” James calls down to me. “Oh, fuck.”

As much as I loathe him in this moment, my voice is rough with desperation when I beg, “Help me.”

With James’help, I’m able to get Abigail out of the wrecked Jeep and into another vehicle. I keep her gathered in my arms, murmuring reassurances to her as he drives the short distance from the base of the blind fence to the road.

We’re in the back of one of my father’s sleek black SUVs. If Abigail had chosen this for her insane escape attempt instead of the Jeep, she’d probably only have a few scratches.

Her escape attempt.

The thought makes my blood run cold. She was so desperate to get away from me that she risked her life. She’d begged me to let her go, but I’d selfishly refused because I didn’t want to live without her.

Now that she might be bleeding out in my arms, I’m struck by the sudden, powerful realization that Ican’tlive without her.

Abigail has given my life meaning. I won’t tolerate a world without her in it.

I won’t be able to endure it.

My vision blurs strangely, and I blink quickly to clear the burn from the corners of my eyes.

“Are you listening to me?” James demands. “The nearest hospital is almost twenty minutes away.”

“She needs medical attention,” I growl.

I’ll do anything to save her, even if that means walking into a hospital and confessing my crimes against her.

“You’re a fucking doctor,” James shoots back. “We have first aid facilities at the house.”

My mind races. The faster I get Abigail medical care, the better. I’m one of the best surgeons of my age. I’ll care for her with far greater attention than she’ll get at hospital.

Because our survival depends on her recovery.

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