Page 57 of Light It Up Red

I nod and pretend to clear my throat. “Can you get me some water?”

“Do I look like your fucking nurse?” Enzo grunts.

“Please,” I add, looking from him to Gray.

“You could just lay it out straight and say you don’t want me in here.” Enzo sets the device on a nearby table, pivots on his heel, and stalks out of the room.

“What’s going on?” Gray asks as soon as the door closes again.

“Whoever shot me… they said it was for Liliana right before they pulled the trigger,” I tell him. “I need you to get me out of here, Grayson. If someone is after her, I can’t be fucking stuck in this bed.”

“If someone is after her, they’ll have to get through her family first. And that’s not going to happen. You get a good look at the fucker’s face? The cameras were cut.”

I shake my head. It’s all a bit fuzzy still. “I don’t remember.” My eyes flick around the room. “I need to get out of here,” I say, while pulling a bunch of wires from my chest.

“You just got shot, man. You should leave your ass in that bed.”

“I need to get Lili,” I tell him.

“She’s with Alessandro. He’s taken her back to the house.”

“What house?” I stop what I’m doing and peer up at Grayson.

“A rental, near my place.”

“Is it secure? I need to make sure she’s okay.”

“Why aren’t you telling her family? They can protect her better than anyone else.” He lifts a questioning brow.

“I don’t want her knowing. I need you to find a way to make sure she’s got security on her without anyone knowing why,” I tell him, then add, “I know you have the resources to do that.”

“I’ll take care of it.” Gray swipes up the little black box and walks out just as my mom and dad are walking in.

“You need to be resting, Travis.” My mom lays a gentle hand on my arm.

“What I need is my girlfriend,” I tell her.

“She’s scared and processing. I have no doubt that she will be back,” Mom says.

“Travis, lay your ass down before you do more damage. You need to heal. If you want to be any good for that girl, then you have to focus on healing properly,” my father barks.

“I need her,” I repeat, my voice quiet.

“I know, sweetheart. You just have to be a little patient with her, a little more understanding.” Mom kisses my forehead.

I don’t like this. I feel so out of control and fucking helpless. I know Lili blames herself, but if anything, she’s the reason I’m still fucking here. It was her face that kept me awake until the ambulance arrived. It was her voice that kept me from giving into the darkness that threatened to take over. I had to get back to her. I couldn’t leave her.

“Did you find my phone?” I ask my mom.

“I did.” She opens a drawer next to my bed, pulls out my cell, and hands it to me.

I tap on my messages. I want to call Lili, but I don’t think she’s going to answer. She will read my words, though, so I settle for sending her a text.

Me:

I love you. I know you’re scared, and I’m sorry I caused you to feel that way. I need you to come back, Lili. Do not run from this.

Me: