“Finger slipped. Let’s go.”
A woman shoulders past him, coming into view. “I’m not leaving him.”
“Traitor!” he roars. “I won’t forget this.”
If Walker and whoever else is involved disappear, I don’t notice. My focus is solely on Colton gasping for breath. I cradle his head in my lap and try to make him comfortable. Tears are streaming down my face, blurring my vision.
“T-tell me w-what to do.” My uneven exhales spew fog into the cooling night.
He just stares at me, blindly searching for my hand. “Love you, Bianca.”
“No,” I blubber. “Don’t start with that. It sounds like goodbye.”
“I’m hit,” he rasps. “Too much blood.”
My movements are frantic as I pat his shirt, hunting for the spot. The fabric covering the left side of his abdomen is completely saturated already. Warm and sticky and gushing out. I can tell my hands are coated.
“Shit, shit,” I chant. “Need to call someone.”
The woman from before kneels on Colton’s opposite side. “Ambulance is on the way. We need to put pressure on the wound.”
I lift my gaze to her, just long enough for recognition to strike. “You.”
The redhead villainess shrugs. “I’m not that bad.”
As if I can trust her. I don’t even know her name, but now isn’t the time for proper introductions. She rests both palms over Colton’s torso and he groans.
“You’re hurting him!” I yell.
“Saving him,” she corrects. “Keep him conscious. Just talk to him. It’ll help.”
Too many thoughts rush through my mind. I stare at this man who’s my everything, never feeling so helpless. His hat fell off in the fall, allowing me to rake my fingers through his hair. I’m caking the strands with blood, but I doubt he’ll care.
“Hey, Stalker. You’re going to be okay.”
His lashes flutter, staying closed for long seconds. When Colton’s eyes find mine again, they’re unfocused.
“Kiss me,” he breathes.
I lean forward to gently seal our lips together. The motion shoots a fresh burst of flames into my chest. My swallow is thick and useless against the onslaught. The foreign sensation seemscruel at a time like this. My heart is already burning without adding in acid reflux.
“Thank you for agreeing to be mine,” he murmurs. “Even if just for a little while.”
My palms shake as I cup his cheeks. “I love you so much, Colton. Please stay with me.”
He nuzzles into my touch, but doesn’t move otherwise. “Loving you has been my greatest honor.”
“There’s no quitting, right? I chose you and you’re stuck with me. Forever.”
His eyelids droop, barely open. “Don’t… worry about… me, baby girl. You’re gonna… be fine.”
“Fight,” I beg. “Just hold on.”
“Tryin’ my… best.” But his breathing is getting more shallow.
“Colton!” I wail. “You gave me your word. You can’t betray me.”
“We’re losing him,” the stranger on my right says.
