Page 34 of Promising Her Forever

“Take her to the ambo and get her checked out.” Salvatore says to me as the others are handcuffing Playboy and the other guy.

I pick Riley up and carry her down to the ambulance. I put her on one of the gurneys and the paramedics start to look her over. Throughout their examination, I never let her hand go.

“You’re going to be okay. We want to admit you to keep an eye on your breathing for tonight.” One of the paramedics says to her.

“Where’s Daphne? Is she okay?” Riley asks as she cries.

“I don’t know if your friend is okay. She was taken to Lucciola Memorial.”

“We’ll find out when we get to the hospital.” I say to her as I kiss her.

Oliver and Archer come over to us as they’re loading Riley onto the ambulance.

“Let Sal know that I’m going with Riley to the hospital.” I say to Archer.

“I’m coming with you.” Oliver says as he jumps into the ambo.

“I got it. We’ll all be there as soon as things are wrapped up here.” Archer says to me.

I know I have a job to do, but right now Riley’s more important than that. And I know that Salvatore will understand. I kiss Riley again.

“I love you, mo fhíorghra.”

“I love you too.” She says as I hold her tight.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Riley

It’s been two weeks since Playboy tried to kidnap me. Fionn hasn’t left my side from the moment he rescued me. Playboy didn’t kill Daphne, but she’s been in a coma. The doctors are still hoping that she’ll come out of this with minimal damage. But we won’t know until she wakes up. I need her to wake up. Right now the coffee shop is closed to do repairs. So I’ve been spending my time at the hospital with Daphne. Fionn brings me lunch every day. The only time I leave is to go home to spend time with him. I love him even more because he never makes me feel like I’m taking away from him by being here with her.

Every one in the family has come by to sit with us. It’s made this a little easier to go through. Oliver even shifted and came in. He scared the shit out of me and he thought it was hilarious. His snake looked at me with it’s mouth open like it was laughing. I tried to punch him. But he’s fucking fast. Then he slithered up onto Daphne’s bed and stared at her. I told him that she wouldbe screaming if she was awake. He did the open mouth thing again.

The doctors say there’s nothing they can do for her right now. All they can do is wait for her to wake up. Physical therapy comes in every day to keep her arms and legs moving. Because we’re all praying that she wakes up soon and they don’t want her to lose movement or muscle. I don’t know how to live without her. I need her to wake up.

Fionn

Playboy is going on trial for arson and kidnapping. While it would’ve been better for him to die that day, sometimes that’s just not how it happens. But he will pay no matter what. Punishment doesn’t just happen here on the outside. Prison can be dangerous too.

The day we rescued Riley, Oliver was the one who bit the other biker. He didn’t survive the bite and the medical examiner put down snake bite as cause of death. He asked us how a poisonous Taipan snake is here in Lake Renegade. We told his we had no idea and that if we catch it, we will be disposing of it.

I plan on asking her to marry me, but I know that’s something she’d want Daphne to be there for. So I’m going to wait until she wakes up to ask her. Until then I’m content knowing that she’s safe and mine.

Everyday I try to bring her new foods for lunch. I’ve been avoiding Apollo’s pocket sammiches. He’s been bugging me to bring some to her for a week now. Not even his brothers or sister will eat the sammiches that he pulls out of his pockets.

“Come on Fionn. You need to try them and then decide if they’re gross. You can’t just say they’re gross without trying it.” Apollo says as I walk into the cafe.

“But I already ordered lunch from your mama. She said they’re like your pocket sammiches.”

“Well kind of.” He sighs as his mama joins us.

“Are you saying your sammiches are better than mine?” she laughs.

“Never.” He grins.

I pay for my lunch and say bye to all of them. Time to see my Riley.

Riley