Chapter 66
Xena’s POV
I pulled down my bra and retrieved Ryder’s phone. The bullet was embedded in the device, and a horrifying purple bruise had already formed on my chest.
“I’m fine,” I said, leaning against Logan, my eyes fixed on Samuel’s feless body, Pain and regret churned inside me, my throat feeling like it was stuffed with cotton. “He saved me.”
Why? I gave up on him. I don’t deserve this. I don’t deserve his life exchange for mine…
“He loved you,” Logan whispered, wrapping his arms around me. Silent tears slid down my cheeks. I could feel the warmth of Logan’s body, but inside I was ice cold.
“Idiot! We had a plan!” Leonard was as devastated as William. Their voices echoed around me, but I could barely hear them as my breathing became rapid and shallow. The scene before me started spinning, everything becoming distant and blurry until darkness took over.
“Ma’am, it’s your turn.” An unfamiliar male voice reached my ears as the sound of an ambulance cut through the silent night. Two paramedics lifted the stretcher I was lying on into the vehicle.
“We’ll be there soon,” Logan said, stroking my head before looking back at Samuel’s body, his eyes shimmering with grief. “William, need a ride to the hospital?”
“Yes.” He jumped into the ambulance and grabbed my hand. “Thank you for saving Ryder.” As the doors closed, his eyes were filled
with tears, and the ambulance started moving.
I felt numb. Samuel had lost his life, and Ryder’s was hanging by a thread. All because they were trying to capture me.
This is all my fault. If it weren’t for me, they would all be safe. What did I do to deserve this punishment? Why does everyone who loves me have to pay such a heavy price?
The paramedics started an IV and injected a dose of antibiotics. They checked my head, making sure the injury wasn’t too severe.
“Looks okay,” one said.
“Yeah, the culprit is still alive,” I replied bitterly, my voice filled with self–loathing and anger.
“How long until we reach the hospital?” William asked.
“Thirty seconds.” Just as he finished speaking, the ambulance stopped, and the doors opened.
As they wheeled me in, I locked eyes with Benedict. He ran to my side. “Is she okay?”
“For now,” William answered respectfully.
“After the call ended, I put Ryder’s phone in my bra. Here.” I handed the phone back to Benedict. His fingers touched the bullet embedded in it. “Maybe you can fix it.”
Benedict was silent for a moment, then straightened his posture. “You saved Ryder. I owe you a debt that can never be repaid. I heard you lost someone tonight.”
Samuel, yes.” More tears fell as my heart felt like it was being torn apart.
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Chapter 66
“We need to take, her in now,” the paramedic urged, and Benedict stepped back as they wheeled me away.
Two hours later, they had removed all the glass fragments and stitched up my forehead. Miraculously, nothing was broken–just hematomas and deep bone confusions. Logan came in pushing a wheelchair..
‘Ready?” he asked.
“I’m not leaving,” I said stubbornly, despite the pain coursing throug my entire body.
“I know. We’re going to see Ryder.”
“Is he okay?” My heart leaped into my throat, afraid of hearing the worst.
“He’s awake. Come on, he’s threatening to get up himself if he does
see you.” I nodded and sat in the wheelchair. Since they had
cut off my bra, Logan had given me his shirt to wear. I was still in my shorts.
We navigated through several corridors until we heard shouting.
“Ryder, calm down or they’re going to sedate you!” I heard Benedict’s voice.
“Where is she?” Ryder yelled.
“I’m here,” I said softly. Everyone turned to look at me.
“You’re alive!” Ryder tried to get out of bed, but three pairs of hands held him down.
I tapped Logan’s hand on my wheelchair, wanting to stand. Logan helped me walk to Ryder’s bedside. Ryder shifted to make room
for me to sit. His arm encircled me.
“Are you okay?” Ryder asked anxiously, looking me up and down.
“I’m fine. Where did the knife get you?” I asked.
“What knife?” Ryder seemed confused.
Benedict suddenly spoke up, “When I rescued Ryder, there was a dagger next to his head.” He sighed deeply.
“Moon God bless you. Your phone saved me,” I said, a rush of complex emotions washing over me–gratitude, guilt, sorrow, all
interwoven.
“What?” Ryder asked.
“Here.” Benedict handed Ryder’s phone back to me. Ryder stared at the bullet hole in it.
“What happened?” Ryder asked.
“X!” I heard my father’s emotional voice and turned to see him at the doorway. He strode over and embraced me, kissing my forehead.
“Dad!”
“I heard the crash. I was so scared,” Dad wiped away tears.
We all heard it,” Logan said. “You were on speakerphone. Leonard and S–Samuel.”
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“Barnaby was supposed to have an appointment tonight, but his grandmother passed away, so Ryder wanted to finish his Harley customization. We went to the shop. After we finished, William was upposed to train me for Saturday. We heard tires screeching…
I closed my eyes, tears sliding down. The memory of that moment brought back the fear and helplessness. Seeing that car driving fowards us, hearing the gunshots, that feeling of death approaching.
In that moment, I thought we were all going to die. I saw the fear in Ryder’s eyes, but also his determination to protect me at all
costs.
Ryder took my hand, giving me the courage to continue.
“They shot at us.”
“Ryder threw himself on top of me to protect me. I didn’t know you were shot!” More tears fell as my voice began to shake.
“Then we drove away, Ryder lost consciousness and crashed into a tree. I was thrown onto the hood. I lost my phone, but managed to open Ryder’s door, and his phone was there. After putting a tourniquet on him, I called you. I looked at Benedict, each second of the memory vivid.
“I heard their car, so I carried Ryder and hid. He wasn’t responding, too much blood…”
“Anyway, I heard their car doors and knew there were at least three people. I couldn’t take on three alone, so I snuck around. I managed to kill one and take his gun, but they heard me. When we three were in a standoff… I thought one of them had stabbed Ryder…”
I couldn’t continue, breaking down. Ryder pulled me toward him, and I sobbed in his arms.
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