Page 106 of Ruthless Commander

“Xael!”I roared and lunged, dropping hard to my knees to catch her before she collided with the asphalt.

“She said baby.” The old man behind me muttered. “I heard her. She said—”

“Shut up!”I snapped. “Just…shut the fuck up.”

“Mateo.” Edon called my name as I pulled her onto my lap.“Mateo.”

“WHAT!”I barked, glaring at my brother. Those dark eyes were wide and filled with panic.

But I didn’t have time for him now. I didn’t have time forthis.Instead, I turned back to my wife as I cradled her head against me and gently touched her face. “Baby, I’m right here. Xael, Xael can you hear me?”

“Is she sick?” My brother asked.

I shook my head. “I don’t know, I—”

It’s just all the stress…

I closed my eyes as those words resounded. My heart was thundering, filling my head with a booming sound.

“We need to get her to a hospital.” Edon urged. “Mateo…”

I nodded. “I know. I know. I—”

I needed to protect her. Needed to save her. Just like she’d saved me.

I slid one arm under her shoulders and the other under her knees before I lifted her. I was walking before I knew it.

“We’re coming with you.” Edon muttered.

I didn’t have the strength to argue, just headed along the alley to the front of the cafe and made for the car. “Where’s the goddamn hospital?’ I barked, struggling to hold her and shove my hand into my pocket.

But my brother was there, spearing his fingers in and yanking my keys out. “You hold her in the back seat. I’ll drive. I know the way.”

I didn’t say a goddamn thing, just pulled her against my chest as my brother opened the door. Xael let out a moan as I ducked down and slid in, carrying her with me. Car doors opened and closed. I didn’t look at the old man in the passenger seat of the Audi. Didn’t look at a damn thing, other than her.

Her eyes fluttered open, finding me.

She looked gray…

Real fucking gray.

“I’ve got you.” I murmured as the car started and we reversed.

“Mateo.” She whispered, sweat beading along her top lip.

“Shhh.” I whispered. “It’s okay. I’m here.”

That seething anger I’d had moments ago turned to fear as my brother punched the accelerator, hurtling us through the streets of this town in the middle of nowhere. A town we’d come to thinking my brother had been attacked…or worse.

I glanced at my father in the front passenger seat. Never in my wildest dreams had I thought I’d see a ghost. One who wasn’t welcome. But I couldn’t think about that now. I turned back to Xael, peeling off her bullet-proof vest and removing her weapons. The last thing we needed was the hospital staff freaking out. My brother took the corner hard, and in the distance, the hospital rose.

“Mateo,” Xael murmured. “What’s going on?”

“You fainted, baby,” I murmured as Edon pulled up in front of the Emergency entrance. “We’re just going to get a doctor to take a look at you. That’s all.”

Her eyes widened as I shoved open the door.

“No,” She tried to push upwards. “I’m okay. Mateo, I’m—”