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Ainsley’s breath caught. “I want that too. I want to be with you. I want to spend my life, with you. So please, come here, Cyrus. Stay with me.”

“You know I have to do this.”

“But you don’t even know where any of them are,” she cried, slamming her fist down on the bed beside her.

My body stirred at the emotion coming from her. “I love you.”

“And I love you but right now, you’re pissing me off,” she bit out through clenched teeth.

My dick jumped. “Be pissed at me all you want. You can take it out on me later. But you know I have to do this. I won’t be able to fucking sleep or eat until I know for sure that you are safe.”

“God.” She laughed. She actually fucking laughed. “You know that even if you do find this bastard, there are more of them, right? Even if they have nothing to do with the shit that happened to me, you have no control over what tomorrow brings. Or even an hour from now, Cyrus. You of all people should fucking know that.”

“Doesn’t matter.” I knew I could possibly lose her because of this but I couldn’t stop my parents from dying. I was too damn young for that. But I was old enough now and I could at least avenge Ainsley.

I knew that I was too stuck in my head for this. I got it. I understood it. But seeing Ainsley lying in that bed, didn’t sit well with me. She could have died and there was nothing I could have done.

“Cyrus, please come here,” her voice wavered.

I looked away and was met by Sammy staring back at me from the doorway. Something switched between us in that moment. We held a silent conversation between us, and I knew right then, the decision I had to make. We had to bring Price in and find the bastard who tried to kill my girlfriend. Even if it ruined what Ainsley and I had, I had to make sure that this fucker wouldn’t come after her again or anyone else for that matter.

Ainsley

“Cyrus said he wasgoing to get a coffee,” Sammy told me, pulling up a chair beside the bed I was currently stuck in.

I only scoffed.

“I like you for him. He’s been looking for someone like you.” Sammy cleared his throat. “I just want to apologize for how I was in the beginning. It’s not enough of course but Iamsorry.”

“Don’t be.” I shook my head. “I get it. I don’t have any siblings but if I did, I would probably worry too that someone could come between us. It wasn’t like you knew me or what my intentions were.”

“Why are you talking to me?” Sammy ran a hand through his hair. “I mean...”

“I know what you mean and I’m talking to you because you’re Cyrus’s brother. I respect you.” I crossed my arms under my chest, wishing I could go to Cyrus, but I had to stay in this bed for observation.

“I think there’s more to it than that, Mouse.”

I looked at him then, my heart stuttering at the pet name coming from someone like him. “Why do you call me that?”

He gave me a small smile. “It’s better than quiet girl.” He stood before I could respond and cupped my shoulder. “Whatever Cyrus does, I will be right there with him. I’ll make sure he comes back to you safely.”

“He can’t go. Neither of you can. If something happens...” My voice cracked. “I can’t lose him.”

“I know but unfortunately, when it comes to the ones he loves being in danger, he will do anything and everything he can to make sure that they’re safe. No matter the cost.”

“He can’t.” I went to pull the IV out of my arm when a hand covered mine. “Please,” I whispered, my voice shaking.

“He won’t do anything stupid.”

My head snapped up. “You don’t know that. He said he’s never been in love before, so how the hell could you know how he’ll be? How he’ll react when he finds the guy who stabbed me?” I waited for Sammy to answer but when he didn’t and his jaw only ticked, I shoved out of his grip and ripped the IV from my arm. “You can’t know, Sammy.” I pushed off the bed. “I need to stop him.”

“Stop.” He came around the bed and caught me as I fell against him. “You’re too weak.”

“I’m fine.” I pushed against him, attempting to take a step forward when my knees gave out from beneath me and I fell to the ground.

“Shit. Ainsley.” Sammy wrapped me up in his arms and lifted me back onto the bed. “You need your rest. It won’t do either of you any good if you go and get yourself hurt even more.”

“Please go get him for me,” I pleaded. “I don’t like how we left things.”