Total pages in book: 208
Estimated words: 207002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1035(@200wpm)___ 828(@250wpm)___ 690(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 207002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1035(@200wpm)___ 828(@250wpm)___ 690(@300wpm)
I’d already messed up by giving this guy her name. If by some miracle he could take me to her, then—
“Give me your name, and I’ll go see what I can find out, how about that? If your wife’s name is Mrs Taylor, I’m guessing that makes you Mr. Taylor? Just give me your Medicare number, Mr. Taylor, and—”
“I told you, I’m fine.” Rage and terror set my body trembling. I couldn’t just sit here anymore.
I need to find her.
We need to run.
Tossing away the sheets, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed. An involuntary cry escaped me as my left hip screeched and my ribs stabbed with agony. Bending over, sharp tears came to my eyes as I tried to cradle the pain in my chest, hip, and the tugging discomfort on my left shoulder.
It all fucking hurt.
It all drove me fucking insane because I couldn’t afford to be weak. I couldn’t let pain stop me from finding Neri. From running.
“Did you not hear me?” I snarled, gasping through the agony. “I need to find her. Now.”
“Look, I know this is all very distressing.” The nurse dropped the e-tablet beside me and grabbed my legs. Without warning, he eased them carefully back into the bed, forcing me to lie down. “But you really need to cooperate.”
I screamed as my ribs drove their way into my organs.
The pain swelled and suffocated, magnified and morphed into something that made me want to tear out my soul and escape.
Panting hard, I collapsed against the pillow.
Sweat flushed my skin.
I hated this.
I hated being so feeble, so weak. I swallowed another scream as my ribs did their best to make me die. Deep breaths killed. Shallow gasps tormented. Images of Neri hurt and lost made me spiral into panic. “Please,” I grunted, clutching my chest. “Just let me go to her. I have to make sure she’s alright.”
“You need to relax, Mr. Taylor. You’re going to damage yourself even more if you don’t.”
My nostrils flared.
Black smog crept over my vision.
No.
Fuck, no.
I couldn’t afford to pass out.
Not again.
Not now.
Nerida!
The smog thickened.
The nurse bent over me, his face taking up my entire failing stare.
“Mr. Taylor.” He tapped my cheek. “Stay with me, Mr. Taylor. It’s okay. You’re okay.”
I felt nothing.
Nothing but burning, blazing, breaking pain.
I have to run.
I have to—
“Mr—”
The black wave crashed over me.
I drowned.
Chapter Twenty-Five
*
Nerida
AGE: 20 YRS OLD
*
(Love in Croatian: Ljubav)
“I’VE FOUND HIM. HE’S OKAY, OR AS well as could be expected after being hit with a car.” Jedda bustled toward me in her pink Crocs and scrubs.
“Oh thank God.” Tears sprang and ran down my cheeks before I could stop them.
My entire body broke out in shivers as every emotion bowled through me.
Relief.
Panic.
Elation.
Frustration.
Guilt.
“I need to see him.” I leapt from my plastic chair in the busy waiting room. After my consultation and discharge, when the doctor found I wasn’t injured, I’d been told to go home.
I’d ignored that suggestion.
And I’d keep ignoring it until I could go home with Aslan.
“Take me to him.” The room swam a little. “I have to see him. I have to apologise to him.” That strange ache in my lower belly twinged again, full of nausea and worry. “I have to get him out of here.”
“Neri, sit down before you fall.” Jedda grabbed my wrist as I stumbled, tugging me back to sitting. She folded heavily into the chair beside mine, giving a bone-weary sigh. “You can’t see him, and he can’t go home. Not yet.”
“Why not?” My heart smoked with fear. “Why can’t I—”
“You can’t see him because no one must know you’re together. If he’s discovered for overstaying, then I have no idea what will happen to you and your parents for housing him. What laws you’ve broken. What discipline you’ll face.” Her hands balled in her lap. “This isn’t a trifling matter, Nerida. Promise me you won’t go running through the hospital to find him. Let me handle this—”
“Then discharge him and tell him to meet me outside. I’ll go home and get the Jeep. I’ll swing by and pick him up—”
“He’s not in a state to just walk out of here.”
“What? But I thought you said—”
“He’s mainly in one piece, but he’s black and blue. He woke with a rather violent outburst, according to his notes, and fell unconscious again. The nurse was able to rouse him just enough to administer some morphine.”
“Morphine?” I rubbed at my tripping, squeezing heart. Panic threatened to overwhelm me. “Jedda, he needs me. He’ll be going out of his mind wondering where I am. Please—”
“The best thing you can do for both of you is to stay apart for now. He’ll heal, Neri. He’s okay. But the cracked ribs and stitches will be overwhelming. Give him time to get over the initial shock of his injuries, and then—”