Page 71 of Vengeful Devotion
“They were in my way.”
He pushes the metal door open and steps through it. The sunlight is bright, stabbing into my eyes like toothpicks. I whimper and turn my body to block it out.
Declan slides the two of us into a backseat of the car. “Airport,” he growls.
“Where are we?”
“New Mexico. Danny drove you all the way here. But we’ll be flying back. There’s a doctor on the plane waiting to check you over.”
“I didn’t think you would come for me,” I whisper.
His hands come up to grip my face. “Gemma, I’ll always come for you. No matter what. No one can take you from me. Just wait until I find Danny. I’m going to make sure that pig never speaks again.”
“He’s already dead. Lonny killed him.”
Disappointment fills his gaze. “That’s one thing your uncle did right.”
“What’s going to happen to Lonny?”
“Only what he deserves, Gemma.”
“Oh,” I say, the fatigue pulling me under.
Declan pulls me closer to him, wrapping a blanket over me. He holds me like I’m a broken doll and he’s the glue. His fingers are tangled in my hair. He brings his face closer, kissing my forehead. “Rest, wildflower. I’ve got you. You’re safe now. You’re always safe with me.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
Declan
The doctor looksover Gemma’s sleeping body on my lap. He lifts the blanket, exposing her stomach. It takes everything in me to not tear his hands off. After everything that’s happened, I don’t feel like letting her go and I damn sure don’t like another man touching her. I know it’s in her best interest, but that doesn’t stop me from growling at Dr. McGowan. He chuckles at me, stepping back and sitting in the plush seat across from us. Despite the plane being full of my men and a hostage, Cian is the only one I can see. A good thing, because if I had to stare at her uncle this whole flight back, I’d kill him and that would ruin all the plans I have for him.
“Is she okay?”
He sighs. “She’s not okay, but she’s not critical. She has several small chemical burns, but none that are bad enough to require hospitalization. I didn’t bring the burn kit, but when we get back to Vegas, I can cover them. For now, I just cleaned them up. There’s bruising around her ankles and wrists that you’ll need to keep an eye on.”
“Is that all?” I ask, looking down at her face.
“Her body needs rest, Declan. All you can do is be there for her.”
Guilt and rage fight for the top spot in my chest. How could I let this happen to the woman I love? I hate that she’s in pain and I can’t do a fucking thing about it. If I could, I would bear all of it. I’d siphon every ounce of pain from her, even if it killed me. She would feel nothing but bliss ever again. All that matters is that she’s happy and right now? She’s far from it.
“How are you feeling?”
“No offense, doc. But I’m not your patient.”
“We’ve known each other ever since my grandpa became the official doctor for your family. I’d like to think we’re friends and as such, I’d like to know how you are.”
“I’m good.”
“Try that again. But with more honesty.”
“My mother is right. You’re a pain in the ass, Cian.”
“And you’re just as stubborn as her. Now, answer the question.”
I shake my head. How do I tell him that every moment I was away from Gemma felt like a knife was scraping out my insides? How do I say that the fear of losing the only woman to mean anything to me has become a dark spot on my soul? I can’t, so I don’t try. Instead, I lay my head against the seat and close my eyes. I don’t sleep. I can’t. Not even with Gemma back in my arms. This fight isn’t over yet. Lonny still breathes, and Gemma still suffers. I can’t relax until I turn her nightmares to ash. Forever.
Gemma sleeps the entire hour and a half flight. She only wakes when I’m carrying her from the plane and into the car.
