Page 113 of Forbidden

I end the call, as I fly us illegally, and dangerously low over the Hampton restaurants, and the small pocket of civilization.

Screw them and their expensive wines. My girl is not going to die on my watch. No way!

As we streak over the Hampton beach, I adjust my course. I know we are running on empty, and I could easily take out one of the Hampton mansions. Screw it. I have no idea where medical facilities are, and I’ve never seen one up this far.

I bank my chopper around the mansion next to mine, and I kill all power. As the skids finally touch the grass, I leap out, and I pull the side door, hard.

The falcon flaps and hisses, and I ignore the lethal predator.

As I drag my frozen girl from the door, I hold her in my arms. “Nearly there, baby, nearly there.”

I run Storm straight past Alfred, and into the shower. Still dressed, I hit hot. Together and dressed, we are blasted with hot water. Dazed Storm continues shivering, and her blue lips are numb, her eyes closed.

“Stay with me. Fucking stay with me!” I command.

I lower the dazed mess, and I kneel down, and hold her close. She feels floppy, as if losing her strength. She’s worse than I imagined.

Alfred runs in the door finishing a phone call. “Two doctors on the way. And hot drinks coming.” His wise eyes show fear, and we share a nervous look. As Storm starts to sob.

The only energyshe seems to have, is spent shivering, and two blue fingers holding my collar. I lace my fingers through hers, as is our way. “Hang in there, baby!”

I decide the bath must be full by now, and I carry her across the oak floor. I walk us straight into the large hot bath, and I lower her in.

As I hold her in my arms, I can better check her eyes. Storm looks vacant.

I can tell her vitals are slowing, and I curse. I realize I should have flown her straight onto a hospital roof, but what one, and where?

And the phone call and I attempted above the sea, all failed. I had no reception.

As Storm’s body remains limp and her fingers remain unresponsive, I tense up. I’ve screwed up, and I may have to pay the price. I should never have taken her up the coast, or entered her life.

If Storm goes now, and leaves us, it will likely be painless for her.

And I, I will be alone.

And in hell.

I curse the universe for potentially taking her from me, and I curse myself. Storm deserves more.

I hold her close, and I rock her in my big arms.

Storm lays in my arms like a little bird. She shivers and gently sobs. Her blue toes, fingers and nose, are still icy to touch.

I plead to God, to allow me to switch places, and I plead him to take me… And not her.

Anything but her!

Storm’s head tilts back, and I hold her face. “Don’t you die on me. Don’t you fucking dare!”

Her eyes slowly flutter half open, and she whispers, “I love you.”

I yank her close, “I love you too, baby! I love you so fucking much.”

As Storm sobs in the bath, I rock her. It’s too fucking much. I feel a lone tear run down my jaw as I crush my teeth. The idea of losing her is killing me.

Ido notwant to live without her.

We stayin the bath for the next two hours, and finally, Storm’s color changes. Her core temperature seems to return to normal, and the two doctors arrived fast. They gave her an IV bag, injections, and they have been tracking her temperature closely. They also hooked her up to several monitors.