Page 137 of Freeing Denver

Darkness and air and?—

Life.

Chapter 42

Colt

Ipush the heels of my palms into my eyes.

The gun feels too hot.

It’s too quiet.

I can’t watch as I lose her. As I lose everything. As my world falls apart all over again. I can’t take another whispered apology from a doctor.

I won’t survive it.

I can’t.

“Please, Del,” I whisper, pushing against my closed eyes so hard that lights flash. “Come back to me.”

Our forever is so close, too close to let it slip away now.

Please, Del. Please?—

Beep.

“We’ve got a heartbeat.”

Chapter 43

Denver

The summer sun warms my skin, and I shield my eyes as I tilt my head back. A breeze would be nice, but I’ve lived in California long enough to know that I’d be lucky to get one on a day like this.

“Ooft, seriously?” I wince and place my hand against my bump. “Use your words, baby. Violence is unnecessary.” As if insulted at the accusation, my son kicks me again. “I’ll tell your damn father.”

“Tell me what?” Colt asks, holding the sun hat I’d forgotten in the car. He places it on my head, and I’m grateful for the shade.

“Your son is kicking me.”

“I told you not to eat the pistachio ice cream. He doesn’t like it.”

“Everyone likes pistachio ice cream.” I rub my belly, sighing softly as I look down at the headstone. “Dad liked it.”

“Yes, well, you DeLucas are strange.” He puts his arm around my waist.

Six weeks in hospital. Four weeks of bed rest after that. Minutes I was dead, and I remember every moment. Ethan, my choice, my dad. Neurons in the brain, Sebastian told me, but Ithink even he was hoping what I saw was real, and that wherever Ethan is, he’s happy.

If I hadn’t needed so much treatment and rest, we’d have left sooner. Every extra day here feels like we’re inviting more danger or sinking deeper into lives we’re too damn used to. But our flight to England is today, and I’m getting on that goddamn flight. Before I leave for good, I wanted to see my parents’ headstones, and Axel’s.

Colt was arrested for Ranger’s murder. It was hard to deny given that there were a dozen witnesses. But with Reid’s smooth talking, and some money changing hands, he was released without charge. Ranger had almost killed me, after all, and was likely at that hospital to finish what he started. Colt’s actions were in defense of his wife and child. A crime of passion.

The public ate it up, and Colt was praised as a hero, a man pushed to the edge.Deluxe’s Savior, the headlines read. It’s the only time I’ve enjoyed seeing them refer to me with that name.

“Can I meet you back at the car?” I ask. Colt nods and kisses me before leaving me alone. I stare at my father’s name, and my mother’s above it. “I wish I could kneel, but I won’t be able to get back up again. I just wanted to tell you that I won’t forget what you said.” I touch the stone, running my fingertip across it. “I’ll love every version of him.”

I take my time walking back to the car. Colt is leaning against the hood watching me, smiling as I waddle my way over.