Page 38 of Breaking the Limits

“What if it’s not?” I mumble through the tears I’m fighting.

He tries to lighten the mood with a small laugh. “He’s a James, we don’t go down without a fight.”

I look up at him. “I know Ace is difficult and not the nicest guy but who would want to do something like this? I mean how do you just jump someone, stab them then leave them for dead? It’s crazy!”

“It is. I’m sorry, Kynlee.”

“Why are you telling me you’re sorry? You didn’t do this and he’s your brother, I should be telling you I’m sorry. I’m just so mad at myself right now,” I say fiercely.

“Why are you mad?”

I shake my head and I my eyes fill with tears again. I should be all cried out but that never seems to happen. “Because he was only at Red Hott because I wanted to get a job there which caused a fight between us. I stormed out and I think he assumed I went there. None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for me.”

“Kynlee you’re allowed to have a job if you want. Ace needs to chill with his protectiveness. I love him but it’s true. Besides how bad could the job be?”

“It’s a cocktail waitress, but he thinks the uniform is too short and I don’t even get it! I mean he makes it clear all the time that we’re just friends or just sex so why is he so protective of me? It’s not like he really cares.”

Jagger shakes his head, “That’s not true. He may not show it but I know that my brother loves you. He may never say it because he’s actually terrified of getting hurt but he does love you, that’s why he’s protective.”

And there it is exactly what I need to hear. I know he loves me too but it’s nice to hear someone else say it for a change. That way I know I’m not just fooling myself into thinking he does. If someone else sees it then it’s real. A small smile flashes across my face as I scan the room. “Where’s Londynn?”

“She went home,” Jagger replies.

My confusion quickly changes to knowledge. Is there a single one of these James’ brothers that isn’t terrified of love? “Londynn loves you, you know?” Jagger just shakes his head and leans it back to rest against the wall.The waiting room falls silent while we wait on news. Eventually, Jaxx, Kenndrix, Pierce,and Rocky join our group in the waiting room. No one says anything and at some point, we all fall asleep. In the middle of the night the doctor comes out and announces the surgery was successful and Ace is now in recovery. The doctor warns us that Ace would be kept in ICU for observation over the next few days and might even require another blood transfusion but he was optimistic he would make a full recovery.

I take the first deep breath in what feels like years. Kenndrix wraps an arm around my shoulders. In that instant staring at this group of people that has somehow become my family, I know I’m done. I no longer care about my career, the attention and spotlight, Enzo or finding agent, the hell with all of it. The only thing I know I need is…Ace.

Chapter 25

Ace

Sirens.

Flashing lights.

Cold.

Taste of blood.

People hollering.

Hazy, everything is so hazy. Trying to open my eyes but I can’t.

Pain! Hell, the pain!

Moving over an uneven surface.

Being stuffed somewhere with bright lights. The lights make me want to keep my eyes closed.

Darkness, I welcome the quiet darkness.

Voices, more voices than before hollering about medicine, trauma, and surgery. Antiseptic fills my nose. The lights are brighter here and moving so fast that it makes my head spin.

, “Prep him for surgery.”

“Get anesthesia in here now.”

“His heart rate is dropping! We’re going to lose him!”

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