Page 83 of Explorer’s Revenge

I know he’s lucky to be alive, but his independence and mobility meant everything to him, and now it’s just gone, and it’s my fault.

He was protecting me.

“Kid, don’t cry. They are all okay. They are alive thanks to you,” my dad murmurs, but that just makes me cry harder. “Let me wake them,” my dad offers, and I shake my head.

“No, let them sleep. I can’t face them anyway.” He frowns, and I wipe my eyes. “Take me back.”

“Maeve.”

“Take me back,” I demand.

Frowning, he helps wheel me out, and we are down the corridor when I hear footsteps.

“Carter!” We stop, and I freeze in my chair. “That’s it? You come in while we’re asleep and then just leave? Nothing else?” Wilder hurries around, stopping before me. “You aren’t even going to stay?”

I look away. “I was just checking on you.”

“Bullshit. You can lie to yourself, but not me,” he snaps, searching my eyes with desperation.

“I’m not lying,” I retort, wishing more than anything I wasn’t in this fucking chair so I could run away.

“Son, maybe this should wait,” my dad cautions, but Wilder steps forward.

“No offense, Mr. Carter, but she’s lying.” He looks at me, his eyes hard. “You’re being a coward, and Maeve Carter is not a fucking coward.”

“It’s my fault!” I yell, and he blinks. “It’s my fault Logan is in there. He lost his leg, Wilder. All his dreams, his future, are gone because of me.”

“That’s what you think?” He purses his lips. “My brother’s future is not gone, even without his leg, and no offense, Maeve, but not everything is about you, so you get your ass in that room and sit at his side, even if you feel guilty. He did everything to protect you. It’s the least you can do.”

“Son, stop,” my dad interjects. “Everyone is worried and stressed right now. Let’s give Maeve a minute, okay?”

Wilder looks from my dad to me, his eyebrow arched. “If you roll away, you’ve made your choice. We both know you aren’t a coward who runs away because you feel guilty. Those men needyou, and you promised to be there. Don’t make yourself a liar.” He steps back, letting me choose, and I hesitate.

“It’s your choice, kid. Want me to slug him?” my dad teases, and I wipe my eyes, knowing my dad would, but Wilder is wrong.

I am a coward. I can’t face them, not right now.

“Maeve,” Aiyaret says softly as he appears at my side, and if it had been any of the others, I would have left, but it’s Aiy. “Logan is awake. He heard your voice, and he’s asking for you.”

My dad waits, letting me choose, so I take a deep breath and nod. “Take me to see him.”

My dad smiles as I turn around, and Wilder and Aiyaret follow me. Way is awake now, and so is Rick. I check them over before realizing I’m stalling. When my eyes land on Logan in the bed, I want to sob. He looks so weak, pale, and . . . small.

Logan always appears large with his personality and noisiness, but right now, he looks broken, and my heart breaks.

“There she is. How do you look hot even in a medical gown?” he teases, and my dad coughs. “Oops, sorry, future father-in-law. I couldn’t help myself. Your daughter is just so beautiful.”

My dad laughs and squeezes my shoulder. “I’ll be outside, okay? Shout if you need me.”

I nod and watch him leave before Wilder moves me closer and steps back. I linger at Logan’s bedside, where he sits up slightly. “Don’t look at me like that,” he whispers.

“Like what?” I murmur.

“Like you’re waiting for me to break down. I’ve had enough from these guys.”

“We are just worried,” I reply, placing my hand on the bed before I hesitate. He doesn’t, reaching for it and taking it as he smiles softly. “Logan, I’m sorry.”

“For what?” he asks, forcing a bright smile, but it’s tight. He’s holding on by a thread. I hate that he feels like he has to be strong right now.