Page 1 of With This Kiss
PROLOGUE
JAMIE
Beep… beep… beep…The sound of the monitor rang incessantly in my ears.
I briefly closed my tired eyes. I couldn’t even remember how long it had been since I last slept.
I had been staying by her bedside since the moment the doctors allowed me to, and I didn’t give a damn about what anyone had to say about it—I wasn’t leaving her side.
Please wake up.
Nothing.
The doctor said she would wake up when she was ready. I let my eyes roam over her bruised and battered face, feeling nausea rise in my throat. My eyes shifted downward to her bandage-covered wrist, my hand hovering above for a few long seconds before I moved it away.
I was afraid to touch her.
Never had Etta looked so… broken. So fragile.
Hedid this.
I clenched my fists as a fresh wave of anger washed over me.
He fucking destroyed her. It was bad enough that he played with her feelings, but this? I should have fucking known something was wrong. I should have seen this coming.
I should have protected her better.
I closed my eyes.
Soft touches moved over my face. I looked up and saw Etta’s blue eyes filled with tears, showcasing her heartbreak and exhaustion.
Tears sprang to my own. I tried to fight them. I tried to be strong for her, but it was useless. The tears would not stop. If anything, more came out as I took in her battered face.
She wiped my tears away, her fingers cold on my face.
“It’s okay, Jamie. I’m okay,” she said.
I shook my head. “I’m supposed to be the one comforting you, not the other way around.”
She let out a small, hoarse laugh, then winced.
“Let me call the nurse,” I said, reaching for the call button. She stopped me.
“I’m a nurse.”
I shot her a look. “You know better than anyone that you shouldn’t be self-diagnosing.”
“It’s not like the diagnosis isn’t obvious.”
“Etta.”
She let out a small sigh. “How bad is it?”
“A lot of facial swelling. A fractured rib, you’re going to be feeling it for a while. A lot of bruises, cuts, and abrasions.”
My lower lip trembled.
She patted my hand. “I’m okay. Really.”
