Page 59 of Never Gonna Lie (Forbidden #2)

Chapter Fifty-Nine

JAMES

A ll hell broke loose after that—people shouting, people running around, people being arrested and hauled into waiting cars and vans. Leo’s team arrived after Theo and I had gone in and found a crew in the next warehouse over, loading up the next truck full of victims.

The officer who carried Raven out handed her to Drew.

She looked so pale and lifeless, and my heart broke for her—for what she’s been through and for what she’ll have to go through when she wakes up.

I watched as they loaded her into an ambulance, EMTs checking her vitals, and I’d never felt so helpless.

All I wanted to do was run to her, hold her, claim her as my own, but I couldn’t.

Theo drove to the hospital. After watching my world being carted off in an ambulance, the adrenaline left, and I became numb.

Was she okay physically? Did they do anything to her that she won’t recover from?

Will the mental scars from this affect her so much that she won’t be the Raven I fell in love with anymore? So many questions and no answers .

I’ve never been one to care about hospitals. They were never a place I ever visited as a kid or even as an adult. Broken bones were fixed by my father’s doctor, and any cuts as I got older were dealt with a slug of vodka and a Band-Aid.

I check my messages, desperate for something to distract me from the endless torture of waiting for the love of my life to wake up.

Noah

What the fuck happened? I leave you lot at the gala for five minutes, and you all end up on a kidnapping mission!!

Caleb

I mean, I was only involved in some of it. Theo was the one who took two guys out.

Noah

WHAT? Needy Viking boy? Are we talking about the same person here?

Theo

Hey! I resent that. I’ve got skills.

Caleb

…

Noah

I don’t know whether to be scared or impressed.

Theo

Impressed, always impressed. I could show you a thing or two *winky face emoji*

Noah

I think I just threw up in my mouth.

Caleb

I’m out.

Theo

Not what you were saying the other night, Professor.

Caleb

Please don’t ever say that to me again. *shivers*

The opening of a door rouses me, and I glance up to see Theo walking in with a coffee in his hand. “How is she?” he asks quietly, jerking his head toward Raven.

I haven’t left her side since she was brought in. Drew’s been in and out, but he’s, understandably, struggling to deal with the fact that his wife’s a psycho.

I take the coffee and lean back in my chair, running a hand down my face.

“No change. Docs say she’ll wake when she’s ready.

She was badly dehydrated and her body needs time to heal,” I rasp out.

Explaining her injuries leaves a bad taste in my mouth, so I take a sip of coffee before continuing.

“Badly bruised hip and elbow, concussion, and lacerations on her wrists where she was cuffed.”

“It could have been a lot worse, J,” he tries to soothe. “She’s alive and she’s going to physically recover. You know I’ll help in any way that I can. Lord knows I’ve got enough of my own trauma,” he chuckles lightly.

I chuckle with him, but it feels hollow.

I peer at Raven lying in the bed—she looks so small, so fragile.

My stomach revolts at the fact that the only woman I’ve ever given a shit about, the only woman I’ve ever loved , is lying in a hospital bed covered in bruises.

Tears fill my eyes, and one drops down my face, but I hold the sob that wants to break free.

I’m not embarrassed for Theo to see me like this; hell, he’s seen me in worse states before. I just don’t want Raven to wake up and see it. She deserves my strength right now.

Theo reaches across the bed and grabs my arm, an understanding look on his face. “When did you last shower? Change clothes?” he asks.

I shrug my shoulders. “Don’t know, don’t care.”

“I brought you some stuff, shower’s just through that door. Clean up, change. Please. You stink.” Theo wrinkles his nose in disgust at me, and my lips quirk slightly.

I grab the bag from him and quickly shower, washing away the tears I was desperate to hide in front of Raven. I don’t bother shaving, not wanting to be away from her for any longer than is necessary. Knowing my luck, she’ll wake up while I’m not there.

Five minutes later, I’m clean and wearing fresh clothes. My eyes look a bit puffy, but at least I don’t smell now. Thankfully, Theo grabbed sweats and a T-shirt rather than a suit—there are times when I question his decisions, and this would’ve been one of those.

I reclaim the incredibly uncomfortable hospital chair next to Raven’s bed and hold her hand, stroking my thumb back and forth, more to soothe myself that she’s here, and that she’s alive more than anything.

Raven can get fucked if she thinks I’m ever letting her out of my sight after this, even for just a second. I can’t have this happen again. I won’t go through this again… I wouldn’t survive it.

My girl is pure light. She’s everything good in this world.

Theo takes the seat on the other side of her bed, watching me. “You keep denying it, but I can see it… You love her, don’t you? ”

I huff out a laugh. “Never could keep anything from you, could I?”

“Nope. I know you better than anyone, J.” He smirks. “Just let me be there when you break the news to Drew… he’s gonna lose his shit.” Theo grins and sits back in his chair.

“Yeah, he probably is, but just as long as he treats Raven the same, he can be as mad at me as he wants.” I look at Raven, taking her in. Even in a hospital bed, wires coming out of her, her skin more pale than usual, I know I’d do anything for her. “She’s all that matters,” I mumble quietly.

Theo huffs, and I catch him rolling his eyes. “Two down, only Noah to go.”

“Huh? Who’s two down? What’s Noah got to do with it?” I ask, curiosity piqued and desperate for something to take my mind off my girl lying there.

“Caleb. Fucker went and fell in love, didn’t he?” he scoffs.

“What? No way!” I whisper-yell. “When did that happen?”

“I’ll let him tell you that story, but let’s just say he’s been a naughty boy,” he chuckles.

“Aren’t we all at some point?” I smirk, my eyes softening as they land on Raven. “I fell in love with one of my best friend’s daughters, can’t get more scandalous than that.”

Theo grins and wiggles his eyebrows. “Oh, I beg to differ.”

“Jesus.”

“Yup.”

Movement catches my eye, and I turn my head. Raven’s eyes start fluttering, and my heart leaps with hope.