It’s over.
I hear his voice. Everything is fuzzy. There is a beeping noise before I drift back to sleep. I can’t figure out what is real and what is a dream.
I’m in the cubby hole hiding. My dad comes to the door. “It’s over, Diem. Come with Dad.”
I climb out of the small space holding my bear. “Come with me.”
“Where’s Momma?” I ask.
“She’s waiting to see you,” he says in a strange tone. “First, I need you to take some medicine, Diem. It will help you sleep.”
Sleep.
I don’t want to sleep.
I want to wake up.
I want to see my mom.
I want to know the truth.
I thrash my head back and forth. Fighting, I need to wake up. Why can’t I wake up?
“Diem, spitfire, you gotta ease up. Calm down. Whatever you’re dreamin’, baby, come out of it,” Colt says, and I feel the heat of his breath on my neck.
Colton is here.
I relax.
Colton Vaughn has me. I’m safe. This is home. I find peace in the chaos.
Inhaling the clean smell around me clears my mind. Blinking, the lights are bright.
“She’s coming to,” Colt says with trepidation in his voice. I don’t want him to worry.
I try to speak.
I can’t. It hurts.
I try to swallow.
It hurts.
What is wrong?
I begin to panic.
The more I freak out, the harder it gets to breathe. The more everything hurts.
The memories invade. Thomas Reigns isn’t my father. My mother died, and I don’t even know why. My entire life is a lie.
He tried to kill me.
Yet, I breathe. I live.
I open my eyes and right in front of me is Colton Vaughn. The most beautiful man in the world. His face is pained and fatigued. I reach up to rest my hand on his cheek. He closes his eyes, and it hits me.
I have not a single person in my life I can believe in other than Emmalee and Colton Vaughn. A stranger I simply wanted a good time with saved my life, and gave me my truth, even if he didn’t realize his part in it.
I slide my hand to the back of his neck and pull him to me. He presses his lips softly to mine. All of my pain subsides as I get lost in Colt.
I have nothing but what is right in front of my face.
With that I allow myself to drift back to sleep. Not because I want to but my body simply can’t seem to wake up. At least what’s on my mind now is the Hellion with eyes that carry me home.
Healing is a process. One where I have slept a lot. I keep asking about Emmalee and Colt keeps telling me to focus on my rest. With each passing day I worry more.
“Colt,” I say still struggling to speak. “I need to know she’s okay.” The way Thomas Reigns cut me, it’s scarred my vocal chords so speaking is a challenge and painful still.
He drops his head. Immediately, I think the worst. If Emmalee died, I don’t know what I’ll do with myself. How can I live with that guilt?
He finally answers, and I have no relief in his words. “She’s in ICU. It’s been touch and go, but she’s stable right now.”
If Emmalee doesn’t make it, I’ll never forgive myself.
Colt gives my hand a squeeze. “Wesson has convinced the nurses to let him hide out by her bedside. Even though they don’t normally allow it, Emmalee is not alone. I promise if anyone can pull her out of this, Wesson can.”
I find comfort in his words.
The Vaughn brothers are amazing men who truly blow me away at every turn.