Page 66 of Unbreakable Bonds (The Boston Romance #2)

"Yes, she is. She came out of surgery three hours ago. Her parents are with her," Bella clarifies.

I turn to the nurse, desperation leaking into my voice. "When can I see her?"

She fixes me with a no-bullshit stare. "Mr. Walker, I'm going to make a deal with you. If you behave, I'll get a physician to examine you as soon as possible. And if he thinks you're up for it, you can visit Miss McQueen."

I nod, eyes locked on the door. "Fine." When she doesn't move immediately, I shrug. "What are you waiting for? Get me a doctor."

The woman shakes her head, but a smile tugs at her lips. "Girl, you've got one headstrong father."

Samantha giggles, the sound pure music to my ears. "Yeah, I know. But he's the best."

"EASY, brO," Brian and Nick say in unison as I slide out of bed with their support.

"You heard the doc. You need to take it easy." I shoot them both a murderous glare.

"Tell me one more time to take it easy, and you'll need your own hospital bed."

Brian chuckles. "Oh, really? You think you can bulldoze us in this state? You look like you got sucker-punched by Rocky Balboa himself."

"Jeez, thanks," I exchange looks with my friends. "Honestly though, how would you act if you were in my shoes, and it was Emma or Amanda lying in the hospital, and they say take it easy?"

They fall silent, understanding flooding their faces before they nod.

"Okay, let's get rolling," Nick says, gesturing toward the door.

My fingers drum against the wheelchair's armrest as Brian pushes me through the endless hospital corridors.

Two bruised ribs, a broken nose, and a minor fracture in my cheekbone – but I couldn't care less about my injuries.

What tears at my gut is that my woman has been fighting for her life while I was lost in dreams of my father.

The doctor explained that I collapsed from emotional, mental, and physical trauma.

Said I need rest and time to recover. Well, fuck that.

The only thing that matters is seeing Alex.

We round a corner and my heart stops. Samantha stands with Alisha's parents, deep in conversation. Clair spots us first, touching her husband's shoulder and pointing our way. I lower my gaze, shame burning through me.

What am I going to say? How mad will they be? Their daughter is here because of me.

When Brian stops beside them, I force myself to speak. "I'm sorry," The words catch in my throat. "I never..."

Two arms wrap around my shoulders, pulling me into a fierce hug. "Thank you for saving her, Cole," Clair's voice breaks with emotion.

"Huh?" The word escapes before I can stop it.

She pulls back, taking my hand in both of hers. "Without you, my sweet girl wouldn't have survived."

I glance at Jim, who steps closer to his wife. "The doctor and police told us everything. Even with your injuries, you gave her CPR, tried to stop the bleeding. If you hadn't acted so quickly..." His voice trails off. "You saved her life. Thank you."

I look up at Clair, my vision blurring. "If anybody should say thank you, it should be me.

She and I have been through hell, but your daughter is the real hero.

" My fingers brush over my bruised wrists.

"I was tied to that chair for five days, completely helpless.

Alisha is the one who risked everything to save me.

I told her to save herself, but that stubborn woman refused to leave me behind.

" Emotion clogs my throat as I remember David trying to kill her.

"She fought with everything she had and killed that monster. And did it all in four-inch heels."

Clair cups my face, her thumb brushing away a tear I didn't know had fallen. "That sounds like our girl. When my daughter loves somebody, she fights with her heart and soul to keep and protect them. That's exactly what she did."

"How is she? What are her injuries?"

She releases a tired breath. "She'll make it. But the stab wound was severe. The bleeding came from her kidney, and they had to remove it."

"Fuck!" The word explodes from me as I slam my hands down on the armrests.

The door to Alisha's room opens, and Amanda steps out. "She's waking up and asking for you, Cole."

"Okay," Clair says with a gentle smile. "Let's give my daughter what she asks for."

Brian wheels me in as Amanda holds the door, and my heart nearly stops when I finally see her.

My friend positions the chair next to her bed and quietly leaves the room.

My eyes drink in every detail of Alex lying still beneath the white sheets, looking so small and fragile it hurts.

I take her hand with trembling fingers, brushing my jaw over her knuckles.

The familiar scent of her skin hits me, and something in my tortured mind finally eases.

Relief floods through me when her soft, melodic voice whispers my name.

"Cole?"

Her lashes flutter, and she blinks slowly. "Hey, Alex."

Her head turns toward me, and the moment her green eyes meet mine, everything else fades away. We don't need words. Our souls connect across the space between us, and my heart composes a melody of its own as her lips melt into a smile as soft as morning light.

I grunt through the pain as I push myself out of the wheelchair, needing to be closer. I settle carefully on the edge of her bed. Her hand comes up, fingertips ghosting over my mouth, tracing the cuts and bruises as if memorizing me all over again.

"We made it?" she whispers, her touch so gentle on my battered face it makes my throat tight.

I lean in, pressing my forehead to hers. "Yeah, we did it, baby. Thanks to you." Unable to resist any longer, I brush my lips against hers and sigh. "I love you so goddamn much."

A short cough breaks the moment. The nurse who helped me earlier stands behind the bed, though her smile is understanding.

"Okay, Mr. Walker, enough exercise for today. Please, sit back in the wheelchair so I can check Miss McQueen's wound."

I cringe as I move, every injury protesting.

"You've got one stubborn ass man," the nurse tells Alex as I settle back in the chair. "He's been in trouble ever since he woke up."

I wink at my girl, whose smile grows wider. "You've seen nothing yet," she murmurs. "And frankly, I find it hot."

The nurse chuckles. "Now, how are you feeling?"

"Like they ran me over with a truck. God, it hurts here," Alex says, touching her side.

"Yeah, that's understandable. I'll give you extra painkillers. But first, let me check the bandage."

The nurse lifts the sheets, and Alex peers down, frowning. "What did they do?"

"You got stabbed, and it punctured your kidney," the nurse explains gently as she replaces the blankets. "The surgeon had to remove it."

"What?" Alex swallows hard, blinking rapidly. After a moment, she asks, "Are my parents here?"

"Yes, and a few of your friends. I'll let them in, but when I come back with the painkillers, you both need to rest."

We nod, and Jim and Clair enter first with Samantha.

My heart swells seeing Clair holding my daughter's hand.

God, her parents are incredible. Sam stands beside me as we watch the reunion unfold.

Alex tears up when her mom kisses her cheek, whispering something I can't hear.

Jim hugs her next, murmuring, "I'm glad you're okay, my ladybug. "

"Me too, Dad."

Alex's gaze shifts to Samantha, who hasn't said a word. My daughter's eyes are oceans ready to overflow.

"Sam?" Alex whispers, extending her hand. "Come here, girl."

Something in Sam breaks. She stumbles forward as Alex wraps an arm around her, and the sobs she's been holding back finally escape.

"I missed you, sweetheart." Alex's words only make Sam cry harder. "Shh, it's okay, Sam. Let it out."

And she does, weeks of fear and worry pouring out against Alex's shoulder. When the tears finally slow, Sam looks up with red-rimmed eyes. "I love you," she says, the words bursting from her heart.

Alex's eyes sparkle with tears of her own. "And I love you. Forever and always, Sam."

My daughter's smile brightens until Alex narrows her eyes playfully. "Are you wearing my Gucci Baume à Lèvres Lip Balm?" She studies Sam's lips while Clair and Jim chuckle at their daughter's perfect timing.

Sam's cheeks flush pink. "Yeah," she admits, touching her mouth.

Alex grins. "Looks good on you. When I'm back on my feet, we'll go shopping for new colors."

Clair and Jim say their goodbyes, taking Samantha with them for a bite at the restaurant. The moment they leave, our friends burst through the door like a tidal wave of energy.

"My god, Alisha!"

The girls rush to the bed, and I have to wheel myself back to make room for the parade of women surging forward. The guys position themselves beside me as we watch the emotional reunion unfold. After several minutes of hugging and tearful exchanges, Brian breaks the moment.

"Christ, a room full of sexy chickens is nice to look at, but boy, do they give you a headache."

The room falls silent. I smirk as four women turn to glare at him.

"Chickens?" Amanda's eyebrow arches dangerously. "You called us chickens?"

"Oh, Amanda," Bella interjects with a laugh. "Chill. At least he called us sexy chickens."

Brian wiggles his eyebrows, flashing that trademark smile of his.

"Dickless rooster," Amanda mutters as she turns back to Alex.

I can't help but laugh at Brian's bewildered expression. "What did you say?" he demands.

"She called you a dickless rooster, my friend," I repeat, enjoying his discomfort.

Everyone joins in the laughter except Brian. Before he can defend his honor, the nurse returns. "Okay, I'm sorry, guys, but visiting time is over. Both your friends need rest."

Emma pulls something from her bag and hands it to Alex. "Charlotte made this for you."

Alex's smile is tender as she studies the drawing. "Please give Smartypants a big kiss and tell her I'll see her soon." She glances around. "Who's with the kids?"

"They're at my parents' house," Nick answers. "They send their love."

After a chorus of goodbyes, the room empties. Alex lets out a deep sigh, resting her head back on the pillow as I wheel myself back to her side.

"God, I'm beat," she admits.

The nurse nods knowingly. "You're healing. You need rest. So, big guy, say bye. I'm bringing you back to your room."

Alex's hand shoots out to grab mine. "No. I don't want to be alone." Her voice cracks as she fights back tears. "Please, can he stay?" Her fingers tighten around mine. "I won't sleep or rest when I'm alone; I need him."

Something softens in the nurse's eyes. "You know what? This is a large space. What if I bring an extra bed for Mr. Walker? That way, you both can rest in the same room."

Alex's smile is radiant despite her exhaustion. "Thank you. You're the best nurse in this hospital."

The woman's brown eyes sparkle as she chuckles. "I'll get the bed," she says, heading for the door.

I lean forward, resting my head on Alex's leg while my thumb traces patterns on the back of her hand. The simple contact grounds me, reminds me this is real. We're both here. We're alive.

"Close your eyes," I murmur, looking up at her. "Let's rest for a moment."

She does, and I watch as her features gradually relax, the tension melting away. My own eyes drift shut as I focus on the warmth of her skin beneath my hand. Within seconds, sleep begins to pull at me, and my last conscious thought repeats like a prayer:

We made it. We really made it.