Page 60 of Misdeeds of a Billionaire
Rush hour in the city was in full swing by the time I walked into the restaurant to see my old friend Kristoff Baldwin. The place was crowded, but our spot was always reserved. It was where we usually met since it was conveniently located between our two office buildings. We called it the “meet in the middle” restaurant.
I made my way over to him at the back of the restaurant and took my usual spot. My drink was already waiting for me. Bourbon for me. Scotch for Kristoff.
“You look like shit,” Kristoff deadpanned, looking me up and down. The comment was rich coming from the man who’d seen us through explosions and bullets. We’d served a few deployments together. He saved my life on his last deployment, just a few days shy from getting out of the military. It bonded us for life.
“Aren’t you a cheerful and supportive friend?” My voice was clipped while my heart raced. Adrenaline from my workout an hour ago still ran fast through my veins. After my shitty breakfast with my brothers, I decided to take out my frustration and world of regret on the treadmill. I should have convinced her to give us a chance all those years ago. I should have dragged her out of the hospital and made us talk. Made everything, most of all us, work.
My mind drifted to that day. The last day I’d seen her—body splayed on the pavement, destruction all around her.
The scent of apples mixed with copper as I held her in my arms. The pent-up emotions swirled inside me, suffocating me. Fear mixed with anger.
“Ambulance!” I roared, my voice breaking. I couldn’t lose her. Not like this. “Someone call an ambulance!”
Water flooded the street, spilling from the fire hydrant. Odette’s body lay in a red puddle—water and blood mixing. Her hair sprawled, red tresses stained with blood.
My heart hammered against my ribs, fearing that she was gone. I had lost her again… except this time, she’d no longer walk this earth. The breeze swept through the street, but her wet, bloody hair didn’t move. The buzz of the city was a distant noise.
“Open your eyes, baby.” She lay limp, her eyelids closed and her chest barely rising and falling. I cradled her head, those hazel eyes I loved shutting me out forever.
My heart bled right alongside her. It twisted into knots that would never untie. It hurt to breathe, suffocating me. My throat clenched, each heartbeat painful in my chest. Each breath I took burned my lungs.
“Where is the fucking ambulance?” I shouted, panic lacing my voice while my eyes darted around for any sign of it. “Did someone call?”
A soft breath. Hers. Mine. I didn’t know. All I knew was that her pulse was too weak for my strong girl. For my strong woman.
“There’s a union protest blocking their passage,” someone shouted. “It might take them an hour to get here.”
I couldn’t wait an hour. It could be a matter of life and death.
Evaluating the pros and cons, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I used my military medical training to ensure there wasn’t a spinal injury before lifting her into my arms. Pulling her close to my chest, her blood staining my white shirt, I started running. The nearest hospital was three blocks away.
“Don’t you dare die on me,” I murmured, thanking all known and unknown saints I’d kept in shape even after getting out of the military. Gasps, chatter, honking—it was all background noise. Distant to the wild thundering of my heart and fear that she’d leave this world.
I’ll accept a life without her, I vowed silently as I ran through the busy, metropolitan city.I won’t even regret it. Just let her live. God, please just fucking let her live.
A soft, pained moan escaped her mouth and her graceful fingers moved to hold on to me. My grip on her tightened. Fuck, I should bear this pain. Not her. Never her.
“It’s me, baby,” I rasped, never stopping. “Just hold on. We’re almost there.” Her mouth moved but no sound came out. “Open your pretty eyes for me.” A single whimper. Her eyes didn’t open. “Please, baby. Let me see you.”
Ice wrapped around my lungs and I ran even faster, ignoring the burning in my chest, my eyes, my heart. I just needed to get her to the hospital.
The blaring of the ambulance sirens carried through the breeze. The glimpse of the hospital and emergency entrance entered my vision.
“We’re almost there. Hang on.” I prayed she heard my pleas. “For me, baby.”
The moment I stepped through the emergency doors, paramedics surrounded us. I answered a torrent of questions, yet couldn’t repeat a single one. They rushed us into a room. Frantic movements. Hushed voices.
“For Christ’s sake, will she be okay?” I roared, my composure gone. Anxiety pounded against my chest, rattling the cage and ready to take over. I hadn’t felt it since my mother was shot. I couldn’t lose this woman. Not like this.God, I’ll give her up, I prayed.Just let her live.
They laid her still body onto the bed and slid an oxygen mask over her face.
“How are you related to her?” The scent of antiseptic, bitter and full of reminders, filled my lungs.
“I’m her husband.” It was the first thing that came out. I couldn’t risk them kicking me out. I’d tear down this hospital if they took her out of my sight. “Just save her. Do whatever. Just fucking save… her.”
My voice broke, each word making the ache in my chest spread. My throat burned, each breath hoarse. How was it possible for a woman I barely even knew to mean so much to me? One night. It was only one night. Nobody fell that fast.
Nobody but you, my heart whispered.
