Page 249 of Ignite

“I’ll be in there to oversee. I need to go.”

“Wait—”

“Go to your office. I’ll send Declan and the men to escort you to Conan’s room once I have it.”

He turns to leave, then hesitates. His eyes soften—just a flicker—and it rattles me more than anything.

“These men are here to protect you. Don’t be scared, okay?”

I can only nod. He disappears through the doors.

I stand there, swallowing bile.

I pull out my phone to call Lily, but then I see the blood on my hands. Conan’s blood.

“Hallie?”

I crumble. My knees give out and I slide down the wall.

“Can you come to my office at the hospital?” My voice breaks. “I need you.”

“I’m coming. Right now.”

My phone clatters to the floor. I bury my face in my hands, trying to quiet the sobs.

A hand touches my back. I jerk upright.

“Hallie. It’s me, Charlotte.”

I look up, eyes blurred with tears. Declan is behind her with the twins. More men filter in behind them.

Declan looks wrecked but is trying not to show it.

“Come on,” Charlotte whispers. “We need to get you safe in your office. Can you walk?”

I nod. She links arms with me and guides me down the hall.

At the sink, she gently washes my hands.

“All gone.”

I let out a shuddering breath. My tears don’t stop.

She wraps her arms around me, and I break.

“He’s going to be okay, Hallie. I promise.”

But Declan’s eyes say something different.

“Conan would want us to protect you,” he says quietly. “But more than that, he’d want you to know how much he loved you. You were his person. That makes you part of our family. No matter what happens.”

I can’t hold it in.

“I—I’m pregnant.” I blurt it out. I have to tell someone. I feel like I’m spiraling. I need them.

His eyes widen.

“I can’t lose him. He needs to know.”

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