“No,” I whispered as Shark’s heart rate began to slow. Tears spilled from my eyes as I wrestled with Vienna’s body, all the while watching as Shark’s heart rate descended.
Sixty… Forty-seven… Thirty-nine…
And then just as suddenly as it happened, Vienna’s body stopped convulsing and he slumped on the bed.
“Vienna!” I screamed, my own body beginning to shake as his monitor flatlined. His body relaxed beneath me, his head flopping to the side. His skin was grey and lifeless.
“Vienna! Don’t you fucking dare!” I sobbed, pressing the button on the remote. My head snapped back to Shark as his machine mimicked Vienna’s. The loud, flat beep of both machines sounded louder than fireworks.
And then the door came crashing open, and dozens of nurses came rushing in, shoving me out of the way as they set to work on both of the men.
I backed up to the corner, running my hands through my hair as my back hit the wall and I slumped to the floor, bringing my knees up to my chest and cradling them.
Don’t let them die. Please don’t let them die…
I could hear the nurses and doctors yelling instructions, but nothing registered in my head. All I could see was the two men, flat on their backs, their eyes lifeless, staring up at the ceiling.
“We’re losing him!”
No…
Why weren’t they doing that thing they always did in the movies? Why weren’t they using the machine to shock his heart back to life? Why weren’t they saving him?!
I didn’t know which man they were talking about. I couldn’t fathom losing either of them.
I vaguely registered the small beep as one of the men fought for his life, clinging to the last chance at hope he had. But there were so many medical staff surrounding them, I couldn’t see who it was. And I didn’t trust my legs to get up and look.
“It’s weak… Not going to make it…”
I couldn’t breathe. My hands came up to cover my ears before I even realised what I was doing. I buried my head in my knees and refused to look. Refused to admit the truth. I wouldn’t lose any of them. I couldn’t.
“Call it!”
“Keep fucking trying!”
Dante should be here. Jenna should be here. It wasn’t fair that Vienna and Shark were left with me. I was being fucking useless. I should be holding their hands. I should be doing something,anything!
I was leaving them to die alone. They should have people who would comfort them.
“Again!”
Again and again! Do whatever it was you were doing, as many times as we needed, until they were out of whatever attack had seized them. Please.
“He’s gone. Call it!”
“No!Again!”
I could hear my own heartbeat. I could feel the blood rushing through my veins. I could smell my own fear. I had no idea how much time had passed between the beginning of this and now, but it felt like a fucking lifetime.
I had visions of Vienna finally reunited with Gabriella and raising their brood of Viennettas. I could picture Shark with Trex and Jenna, the calming influence over the pack. I saw Shark at the snooker table, Vienna hitting everyone with hisbeard. Memories mixed with my own predictions of the future, and I prayed, I begged, and I fucking pleaded with whoever was listening to please, please let them see this through.
“Time of death…”
Chapter 73
Rachel
The men did their walk through the clubhouse, carrying the coffin on their shoulders in the usual order. Minus Shark and Vienna, of course.
