Page 98 of Break the Ice
Elijah needs her; I can’t take her away from him. Whether he admits it or not, she gives him a purpose no one else can. It’s part of what makes me want to care for her more. To keep her safe and treat her like a goddamn queen. Because right now, with whatever is going on with him, she’s his lifeline.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I tell her as the door opens behind her.
Elijah’s standing in the open doorway. His eyes are glazed over red, and his hair is a mussed and knotted nest sticking in all kinds ofdirections. I’ve never seen him looking so terrible, and guilt is creeping in around the edges of the nice afternoon Finley and I had.
Fuck.
I should’ve checked on him earlier. Especially after the concern she echoed.
Why didn’t I do something then?I keep asking myself as Finley checks him over. Her hands feeling his forehead before she attempts to brush his hair out with her fingers. The action causes him to stumble back and I’ve never been so grateful for my speed because I just manage to catch him as he collapses.
His body literally drops on itself. I’ve never seen anything like it. My pulse spikes with an all-consuming fear I’ve never felt before.
“What’s happening?” Finley cries, falling to her knees while I check Elijah’s breathing.
“Call 911, okay?” I direct her, giving her the address before I call down to the concierge and ask them to direct the EMTs to the underground garage when Elijah starts coming round.
Tears track down his temples while I hold his head in my lap, covering his ears in case the sounds around us are too much.
“You’re okay,” I mouth to him while Finley grabs an ice pack from the freezer and brings it over wrapped in a cloth to stop the chill from burning his skin.
“I…I…fine,” Elijah slurs, his words sounding like his tongue is twisting itself around them.
Every attempt he makes to move only makes his body flail as though he’s completely lost his co-ordination.
This can’t be happening. My thoughts tornado into chaos as I recall the symptoms my dad was told to lookout for when my grandma suffered a stroke.
This isn’t possible. Elijah is twenty-four-years-old. He’s too young and too fit to be stroking out on me right now.
Still, the panic wrenches through me, turning over any sense or alternative scenario that flits through my mind.
This cannot be happening.
Not to Elijah.
Not right now.
Not…
Fuck.
CHAPTER 29
ELIJAH
The sweet burn of the liquor slips down my throat smoothly in contrast to the shiver that rakes down my spine when it lines my stomach. I don’t know why the guys love vodka so much, it doesn’t matter what I chase it with, the heat it holds in my gut makes me retch.
“You’ll get used to it,” Ryker mutters, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand as he leans in closer. “I heard my dad say this is the best vodka. The Japanese stuff is more expensive than the Russian and it tastes better.”
“It’s awful.” I shudder watching him pour more of the clear liquid into the small hotel glass. “Tastes like nothing and something totally unpleasant all at once.”
“Pretty little bitches don’t get to play with the big guys,” Presley calls across the circle the team is sat in.
I’ve never been invited before, and although everyone is acting like it’s normal for me to be in Presley’s room, celebrating our win with everyone, something doesn’t feel right.
He knows.
He must know that I kissed Finley. That we did things.
