Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 110127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 551(@200wpm)___ 441(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 551(@200wpm)___ 441(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
My head starts spinning and I feel the blackness taking over. My heart races so fast I can hear it. My lips and tongue go numb and I can’t speak. All at once, I can’t feel anything. My arms won’t lift, my legs won’t move, and as I try to communicate, gurgling sounds erupt in my throat. My body temperature heats up but I start to shake uncontrollably. My breaths start coming in pants. The screaming around me starts again. I squeeze Luke’s hand tight before I pass out.
Chapter 32
Ari
I figure out I’m in the hospital before I open my eyes. The undeniable smell of antiseptic fills my senses and I momentarily forget what happened. Then it comes crashing back to me and I try to scream but my throat is too dry. Warm hands hold me down, and I look up to see Luke and Sophie on both sides of the bed. Sophie’s face is splotchy and red and fresh tears fall down her cheeks. I look around frantically for Reed and Davis.
“They’re with the pediatrician. Davis won’t let Reed go. He’s clinging to him. The paramedics tried to pull him off in the ambulance and he threw a fit.” Luke says softly.
I nod my head and feel a sting on my temple.
“Babe, you have a concussion and several deep abrasions on your wrist. You had a massive panic attack, and it scared everyone to death. They are keeping you overnight for observation.”
“Katy?” I croak.
They share a look and dread fills me. “Please no, please no, please no.” I chant.
“Ari, she’s in surgery. The bullet is deep in her chest cavity. She lost a lot of blood and the surgeon is worried about the stress on her heart and her brain since the stroke. We’re praying for the best, but it looks bad.”
My heart splinters. She can’t die, I can’t lose her. Sophie senses my breakdown and crawls into the hospital bed with me. She holds one side of me while Luke holds the other. They let me cry until I can’t breathe. Luke gets me some water while Sophie wipes down my face with a wet cloth. I finally get myself together and breathing under control.
“Ari, I can’t even begin to imagine how you feel right now.” Sophie says. “What can I say? What can I do to help you?”
“It’s terrible, I’m scared to death about losing Katy. I want my son in my arms. I need to feel Reed holding me. But at the same time I feel relief. Alex is dead.” I look at Luke to confirm and he nods.
“You saved our lives. Thank you—if it weren’t for you—”
“Shhh. I know, Ari. Let’s not talk about it now.”
“How’d you know to come?”
“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you everything when the police question us.”
“Cara?”
“In the waiting room with Amy.”
I nod. The door creaks open and Reed pops his head through. When our eyes meet a sense of calmness comes over me. He walks in with Davis in his arms.
“Mommy!” He reaches out. I grab him to me and hold tight. He squirms loose but remains sitting in my lap.
“I got a lollipop!” He pulls out the candy from his pocket. “Can I eat it?”
I nod and help him open it. We all exchange a glance at his attitude. I don’t know what I expected, but he’s not acting traumatized. There’s a knock at the door and the doctor walks in. He looks me over and confirms I have no nausea or blurred vision. I haven’t looked in the mirror, but apparently, I have a purple bruise on my temple from where Alex hit me. It’s tender but not painful. He agrees that if I have a good night, I can go home in the morning.
Reed takes Davis to the waiting room to see if he will sit with Amy while the police question us. He also gives Bobbie an update so he can leave. He returns with two officers who look at me sympathetically. I tell them everything that happened this morning from the time I opened the door until I passed out. I try to remember verbatim Alex’s ranting. Reed moves to my side and sits on the bed with me running his hands up and down my arms soothingly. I lean into him and smell the familiar scent of his body wash and cologne. He tightens against me but smiles slightly when he realizes I am sniffing him again.
“Mr. Adams can you explain how you became involved?” one of the officers asks Luke.
“I think we need to have Cara Matthews in here to explain it fully.” He answers.
Sophie leaves to get her, and Reed positions us so he is behind me. He wraps his arms and legs around me and kisses my forehead gently. Cara comes in with Sophie and the officer asks Luke again about his involvement.