Damon clears his throat. ‘I believe Killian is dealing with him.’ His gaze falls to the floor. ‘I offered to take care of it, but the Beckett brothers like to deal with some matters personally.’
‘Caelon will be okay. He’s a fighter. They all are.’ Scarlett takes my hand which I hadn’t noticed was shaking until she stills it.
‘What if he’s not? What if he doesn’t make it?’ The prospect of a world without Caelon makes my stomach bottom out. I blink back the tears. I swear to God if anything happens to Caelon, if he doesn’t make it, I’ll find Danny Bourke and kill him slowly and painfully myself.
Finally, I can appreciate how Caelon felt for the past two years. The rage, the horror, the devastation of having someone you love ripped from your life.
Finally, I understand his motivation for coming here in the first place.
Fucking ironic.
Hysterical laughter bursts from my chest and once it starts, I can’t stop, the sounds echoing round the room like a wild animal. Scarlett and the security guys watch on warily. Iopen my mouth to tell them what’s so funny, but I can’t get the words out. I pray to fuck I get to say them to Caelon one day. To tell him I understand.
My laughter morphs into huge hiccupping sobs that rack my ribcage. I crumple forwards in a heap, rocking back and forth in a rhythm that does nothing to soothe me.
Random thoughts drip into my brain like a tap.
What if Owen and Orla lose another parent?
How can one family who supposedly has it all experience so much pain?
A clock on the wall ticks in the background. Time stops for no one, but each minute feels like an hour.
A doctor appears in the door, and both Scarlett and I jump to our feet expectantly.
He’s wearing dark green scrubs and a serious expression. ‘Scarlett?’ his jade-hued eyes dart between us.
‘That’s me,’ she whispers, gripping my arm, her finger digging tightly into my skin.
‘James is out of surgery. He’s going to be fine. A few scars, but his wounds are superficial. He’s asking for you.’
‘Oh, thank God.’ Her shoulders sag and the breath rushes from her mouth with a whoosh.
‘And Caelon?’ I swallow thickly.
The doctor’s expression turns darker. ‘He’s still in surgery. I’ll give you an update as soon as I know more.’
‘Will you be okay?’ Scarlett asks.
‘I’ll take care of her,’ Damon declares, stepping forwards and ushering Scarlett out the room.
‘Go to him.’ I swat Scarlett away as the envy eats my insides alive. I wish it was my man asking for me.
I retake my seat, resting my head in my hands.
Damon slides into the chair next to me. ‘He couldn’t do it, you know.’
I tilt my face to meet his eyes. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Caelon. He wasn’t going to hurt Danny. He got the answers he needed with minimal force. Sean told me he urged James not to hurt Danny, either. Said they should all choose the future over the past. I thought you should know.’
I cradle my head in my hands. He chose me. He got his answers, and he chose me. But look at the price he’s paying for it. If I hadn’t had intervened, opened my big mouth, maybe it would be Danny in surgery and not the man I’m in love with.
What have I done?
Three hours later, Alexander and Vivienne Beckett burst through the doors with stricken faces. Alexander’s scar is another reminder of just how much the Becketts have been through.
‘Any update?’ Vivienne rushes to me, fingers clasping her diamond necklace. She’s aged ten years since I saw her in Portugal.
