Page 99 of Shades of Loyalty
She can barely keep up. But I don’t even notice. I don’t notice anything.
To be honest, even taking her home on my Harley seems risky. God, I’m really fucked up right now.
Fuck. I have to get my shit together before I even put a foot on that gas pedal again.
The night air is sharp against my skin, but I barely feel it. My grip on the handlebars tightens, knuckles turning white as I force my mind into some kind of order. But it’s impossible.
The words keep echoing in my head.
"Lilia, she… Just come here quickly, okay?"
It’s vague. Too vague. And that’s what makes me feel even worse about it.
Jennifer climbs onto the Harley behind me, wrapping her arms around my waist like she always does. But it feels different. She feels different. Or maybe I do.
Maybe it’s because I don’t know what I’m walking into. Maybe it’s because I already know—deep down—that whatever is waiting for me is going to change everything.
I inhale sharply. The cold air burns my lungs, grounding me for just a second. Long enough for me to make a decision.
I start the bike.
Jennifer doesn’t say a word, but I feel the way she holds me tighter, like she knows I’m not in the right headspace for this. Like she’s afraid I’m going to do something reckless.
She’s right to be afraid. But whatever happens, I’ll always protect her. Even if the price is my own life.
I don’t even know how I make it back without crashing. But thankfully, I do.
My mind is spiraling, my thoughts are moving too fast for me to keep up with them.
Every turn, every red light, every car that dares to slow me down—it’s all a fucking blur.
Jennifer is clinging to me, but I can’t focus on her. The only thing that matters is getting there.Now.
When I finally screech to a stop outside, my heart is hammering so hard it makes me feel sick.
Jennifer barely has time to get off the bike before I’m already moving, storming past Hayden like I don’t even see him.
But his hand shoots out, grabbing my arm.
“Daniel—”
“Where is she?” My voice is raw.
Hayden doesn’t answer right away. That hesitation is enough to make my stomach drop. He’s never hesitant. Never.
And then he says it.
“She’s in there, but before you see her likethis...”
No.
No, no, no.
I shove him off, ignoring his words when I push through the door, my breath ragged, my vision tunnelling. My legs feel like they’re gonna give up, but I make it to the medical room.
And then I see her.
Lying still. Too still.
