47. Bones
CHAPTER 47
BONES
I see it happening, but there is nothing I can do.
People scream around me as Skylar’s car flips over and over. I’m moving before I know it, jumping over the barrier. Arms catch me as I yell his name and watch his car jerk to a stop.
“Skylar!” I bellow. The crowd is crying and screaming. Everyone is waiting. The drivers left on the track are forgotten. Winners and losers no longer matter.
All anybody wants now is not to lose someone.
“Bones,” Alek whispers, holding me. Noah is at our side with his headphones off, tears in his eyes as we stare at the wreck.
“No, no, no! He’s alive!” I elbow Alex and slip from his arms, scrambling across the track. I don’t care about the other cars driving around. He’s all I care about. I catch sight of him as I hit the grass on the edge of the track, drawing close, when flames burst from the engine, throwing me backward. I hit the grass and cover my eyes before I scramble to my knees to see bright red flames engulfing the front of the car.
Arms grab me again. I feel tears flowing down my cheeks as the heat of the flames wafts over me, but nothing else matters.
I need to get to him.
“Skylar!” I shout, fighting those trying to block me. His car is right there, and he’s in the driver’s seat. His helmet turns, and he sees me coming. His eyes widen as flames consume the car, and I see resignation in his gaze. “No!”
Despite my own fear, I break out of the hold on me and run toward the love of my life.
I grip the door, hissing as my palms burn, and when I peel them from the metal, my skin is left behind. I ignore it as I yank it open and find Skylar. Blood drips down his face as he blinks. He’s too pale. I take his harness off with fumbling fingers. “Get out!” I roar at him.
“Angel,” he rasps, blood steadily dripping into his unfocused eyes.
“No!” I scream as I’m torn away. “Skylar!” I beg as I’m dragged to the grassy ground. “Skylar, get out!”
The flames are spreading across the car, turning into a fireball, and I know it will only be seconds until it explodes. “Skylar,” I beg through my sobs.
Please, God.
I pray Skylar isn’t taken from me, not when I just found him.
We have both suffered so much. This can’t be how it ends.
He was supposed to win. We were supposed to celebrate.
“Skylar!” I shout, and I throw my weight forward, crawling as someone tries to hold me back.
His head turns farther, and he sees me heading his way. His eyes widen and horror enters his gaze, causing the haze to dissipate.
The door budges an inch, and then he’s climbing from the window. He collapses against the car before stumbling away, dragging one leg behind.
Hope and horror mix within me as he fights the heat and his injuries to reach me.
In that moment, I know love is not a weakness. It makes gods out of us all because my man walks from the flames when he sees me putting myself in danger.
I break free again and rush over, catching him as he collapses. I spin us, throwing my body across his just as the car explodes behind us. Heat slices through the skin on my back. I feel it but I don’t care. I stare down into his eyes as I try to pull off his helmet. My hands aren’t working properly, but others appear and pull it off so I can finally see his beautiful, bloody face.
“Baby, look at me. You’re going to be fine,” I promise, tears clogging my voice.
“Angel,” he croaks. “Sorry . . . I didn’t . . . win.”
Sobbing, I lift him into my lap as I hear sirens and people rushing over. “It’s okay. You did so well, baby. We’re going to go home now, okay? Just stay with me. We’ll go home.”
“Okay.” His voice is soft, and when I glance down, his eyes are fluttering shut.
“No, don’t you fucking dare!” I scold. “Skylar Warren, I order you to open your fucking eyes. You promised you would never leave me, so open your fucking eyes. You fucking stay with me. We are going home. We’ll have breakfast, and you can hold me, and we’ll watch those shitty shows you like. Please, Sky, please don’t leave me like everyone else. I don’t want to be alone.”
His eyes close, blocking my view of my everything.
“Sky, just hold on.” The sirens draw closer as I press a kiss to his head. “They are coming, baby. Listen to them, they are coming. You’ll be fine. You’ll be fine.”
His hand drops from my side, and something inside me drops with it.
Flames continue to run out of control, but I can’t look away from his pale, bloodstained face.
This man has become my everything.
He isn’t afraid of death, speed, or heights, but he is afraid of losing me.
It’s in this moment that I know true fear.
I don’t remember much of the ride to the hospital, but once he’s rushed inside, I’m left in the waiting room.
People try to talk to me, but I just stare at the doors he disappeared through.
Someone touches my side, and I whirl around to see Evan. His face is streaked with tears, and Noah and Alek are talking to some police officers and nurses.
“Bones, let’s get you a seat.” He touches my hand and jerks back. “Oh fuck. Your hands!”
I glance down as Evan gasps, and it’s only when I look at my palms that the pain registers. They are a blistered, bloody mess. “Oh my God, Bones! You need to be seen.”
“Sky—”
“Is being taken care of. He would want us to look after you,” Evan orders, completely in control while I just stand here like a fool. “Excuse me!”
A nurse rushes past, and Evan’s eyes narrow. “I said excuse me! Someone better take a look at my friend’s hands before I find the closest fucking doctor and drag him here!” he roars, and the whole room falls silent before he forces a smile. “Please.”
Alek and Noah head my way as the door opens. I see Mackie and the others rush in, but I focus on the doors.
“Are you okay?” Alek asks.
I can’t answer him.
How can I be okay? Skylar isn’t here, and I don’t even know if he’s alive.
“Bones, let this nice doctor look at your hands,” Evan demands. He tugs me away, but I refuse to go into a side room. Instead, they inspect my hands in the waiting room. They are bad, but I won’t lose them. I don’t know what they do, but they are wrapped up like a mummy when the medical staff walks away.
“It’s been too long. Where is he?” I beg Evan. Jumping to my feet, I head to the door, and a nurse steps out. “How is Skylar Warren?”
“He’s getting the best care. Please, take a seat, sir.”
“I’m going in to see him.” I try to move past her, but she blocks me.
“It’s family only,” the nurse says.
“I am his family! We are his family!” I tell her. “Please, please.”
“No. Take a seat. We will update you when we can,” she says firmly.
Arms drag me back and push me into a chair.
“It’s going to be okay,” Evan promises. “Just let them work, okay?”
It’s been hours. We have heard nothing, and my numbness has worn off, morphing into anger and fear.
“Fuck this.” I climb to my feet, and everyone surges forward, blocking the doors. It’s the fifth time in the last hour they have done this. I think they are worried about what I will do if I get through.
“No, Bones,” Alek snaps, tired of telling me.
“Fucking move,” I snarl.
“Bones—”
“Don’t fuck with me right now, Alek. That is my man in there. That is the fucking love of my life, so get the fuck out of my way.”
“Or what?” he asks. “What are you going to do? You’re a lawyer, Bones, not a thug?—”
“That just means I know how to kill someone and get away with it. If you don’t move right this fucking second, I’m going to make Evan a fucking widow.”
“Hey,” Evan mutters.
“Move,” I demand, squaring up to him. We stare each other down, but the door suddenly opens and a doctor peeks out.
“Uh, I think you should come through. The patient woke when he heard you, and he needs to rest.”
“He’s awake?” I whisper, forgetting everything else. “Skylar is awake? He’s okay?”
The doctor offers me a sad, understanding smile. “He’s injured, but he will be okay. He’s very lucky. Honestly, it’s a miracle he wasn’t injured worse.”
Not a miracle, just Skylar Warren.
He’s a survivor.
“Thank you.” I rush past the doctor, ignoring everyone else as a helpful nurse points out a room. She was from the ER, so she is probably just sick of dealing with me and knows not to get between us now.
Heading to the private room, I slide to a stop when Noah steps in before me, blocking the door. He meets my eyes, and I glare at him.
“Maybe we should let him rest,” Noah begins.
“Noah, Skylar likes and respects you, which is the only reason I haven’t punched you, but if you try to stop me, I’m going to cut off your balls and make them into dice to hang from my mirror. Understood?”
Noah’s eyes widen. “Jesus.” He covers his balls but still hesitates.
There’s a hacking chuckle from the room, but it ends in a groan. “You better let him in, old man. My boy isn’t playing with you.”
Noah moves aside with a sigh, and I burst into the room. Tears fill my eyes when I see him in the bed, all my strength fleeing at the sight of him. He looks so pale. His arm is wrapped, his leg is elevated, and machines are stationed all over. Seeing him like this, I realize how truly close I came to losing him.
He smiles when he sees me. “Hi, angel.”
Choking on a sob, I run over and fling myself into his arms. He grunts but holds me, kissing my head. “Shh, I’m okay. I’m sorry if I scared you.”
I pull back and smack his chest. “Scared me? Skylar, you terrified me. I was so fucking worried. You were hurt so?—”
“Shh, it’s okay. I’m here. Breathe with me.”
Taking a deep breath, I nod and calm down.
His smile only grows. “I heard you claim me.” He wiggles his eyebrows. “All it took was almost dying again. Not a bad trade.”
“Don’t even joke,” I snap.
“Sorry, angel.” He looks down as he tries to twine our fingers together. “What happened? Are you hurt?”
“Oh, just some burns from when I tried to get you out of the car,” I admit.
“Burns? Angel, God.” He sits up with a frown. I’m unsure what he’s doing when he swings his legs over the side of the bed.
He struggles to get up, all the while yelling, “Doctor! Doctor!”
“Skylar,” I hiss, pushing him back. “I’m fine!”
“Doctor!”
The door opens and Noah bursts in, followed by Mackie, Alek, Evan, and the others. “What’s wrong?” Alek asks. “Are you in pain?—”
“Bones, his hands . . .” Skylar’s eyes are wild as he holds my wrists delicately. “He needs a doctor.”
I sigh. “Skylar, I’ve been seen.”
“No, you need to be checked again. Alek, get a doctor,” he snaps.
“Skylar,” Alek begins, but Skylar glares, and he holds up his arms and disappears. A moment later, two doctors are dragged back into the room and pushed toward me.
“Don’t ask me. I’d do the same if it were my boy,” Evan mutters at his side as the doctors look at us.
“His hands—his beautiful, perfect hands.” Skylar points. “Check them over.”
“Sir, I’m a neurosurgeon?—”
“Then that means you’re qualified,” Skylar barks. “I will donate enough money to fund this entire hospital, but I want my boyfriend checked.”
“Sky,” I hiss, but he ignores me as the doctors share a look before gesturing to the chair next to the bed. I sit, because what else am I supposed to do, and they carefully start to unwrap my hands.
I blush under the scrutiny and all the soft chuckles of those around us as two doctors recheck my hands, even though Skylar is the injured one.
“Oh, angel, look at your beautiful hands,” Sky whispers. “Why would you do that?”
I meet his gaze, my brows drawing together. “You were in danger. How could I not?”
“Fuck, that’s so romantic,” I hear, and when we look over, Alek is wiping at his eyes while Evan grins next to him.
I roll my eyes. When the doctors are done, Skylar finally relaxes enough for me to help him back into bed.
“How are you feeling?” I ask.
“Not as bad as I expected. These are some good drugs.” He nods at Mackie. “You okay, brother?”
“Me? You’re the one who wrecked,” he scoffs.
“And the other driver?” Skylar asks.
“He’s fine. Engine malfunction,” Noah answers, but there is something in his eyes.
“I see.” Skylar nods and spares me a smile. “At least I didn’t hurt my pretty face, huh, angel? You know you like to look at it when?—”
“Okay, enough.” I cover his mouth. “I think the drugs are too strong.”
I lean back, keeping my hand over his, then I let him speak to Noah, Alek, Mackie, then Evan. Everyone has something to say, and he’s a good sport about it, but as everyone gets settled, I see something pass over him—understanding.
So many of us surround Skylar, and his eyes widen as he looks around at the room filled with love. I know he still struggles to accept it, since he came from a broken home where he had no one, but now he has an entire family around him.
He glances at me, confusion and happiness in his eyes. Brushing his hair back, I place a gentle kiss on his lips. “They are all here for you, babe. You are so very fucking loved. Never doubt that.” I kiss him again. “And if you ever try to leave me again, I’ll kill you myself, understood?”
“I wasn’t trying to leave, angel,” he defends. “My car was on fire.”
“Not good enough. You don’t get to leave me. Death can’t have you. You said you were mine,” I warn. I’m being unreasonable, but he simply smiles.
“Yes, angel,” he promises.
“Good boy.” I kiss him and sit down when there’s a loud clap at the door.
“Alright, boys, time to go. He needs to rest. You can all come back tomorrow.” It’s a nurse, and she gives us a nononsense look.
“I’ll be in the waiting room just in case,” Noah says, but he rounds up the others.
“You too, pretty boy,” the nurse calls as she shuts the curtains and walks around the room.
“No.” I look back at Skylar. “I’m not leaving him.”
“It’s family only?—”
“He is family,” Skylar says with a soft smile. “He’s my soon-to-be husband. He can stay, can’t he?” He aims a sweet smile at her, and I see her softening when she wouldn’t before. That’s just Skylar Warren’s charm. “I don’t want to be alone right now.”
“Fine, fine, but no funny business. I mean it.” She shows him the buzzer then leaves. I see Noah lingering outside the door and turn back to Sky. His eyes close as the drugs kick in.
“Get some sleep, babe,” I murmur.
“You’ll stay?” he slurs.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I promise as I hold his hand as best as I can.
He’s asleep within minutes, and I carefully slide my hand back and cover him with the blanket.
“I’ll be right back,” I murmur, even though he’s sleeping. “You’ve spent so long protecting me. Now it’s my turn to keep you safe.”
When I’m sure he isn’t going to wake up and find me gone, I slip from the room and find Noah in the waiting room. I nod my head, and he follows me down a side hallway. I turn to face him, knowing my expression is like thunder.
“I want to know everything you know,” I demand, crossing my arms before dropping them due to my hands.
“Bones,” he begins, no doubt about to give me some bullshit excuse.
“Don’t fight me on this. Give me every detail. We’re going to catch this bastard, and I’m going to string him up by his balls.”
“Why do you always go for the balls?” Noah mutters, but he nods and sits in the chair. I sit in the one next to him.
“I know where to strike to make it hurt, remember that. Tell me.”
For the next hour, he runs through everything he knows, and I assemble the facts in my head, working through all the pieces. “So you think it is the one who won the race, Conall from Blizzard?”
“It has to be. If he loses his title, he stands to lose his sponsors. People do stupid things for money. I never thought he would go this far, and I can’t prove it.” Noah scrubs at his face. “It’s my job to keep him safe, and I failed.”
I place my hand on his back. “Skylar knows you did everything you could. He looks up to you so much. He doesn’t blame you for this. He and I know better than anyone just how wicked people can be. You can’t control others’ actions, but you did everything you could to protect him.”
He nods, but the guilt is still eating him up inside. “I’m going to speak to the police again. They know and are investigating, but I worry he will get away with it without proof.”
“We won’t let him.” I stand. “I better get back before Sky wakes. Don’t worry, Noah, it will all work out in the end. Trust me.”
“Bones?” I turn as he calls my name. “You’re kind of terrifying. I’m glad he has you. Sky might seem strong, but everyone has their breaking point. Everyone needs somebody.”
“No, I’m lucky to have him. Go get some rest, Noah. We have work to do.”
“We?” he calls.
“We,” I confirm. “They came after my family. I won’t let that go.”
Before he can question what I plan to do, I head back to Sky’s room, shut the door, and walk over to his bed.
Climbing in alongside Skylar, I lay my head on his chest as he sleeps. He sighs and drapes an arm around me, pulling me closer. My eyes stay on his face the entire night.
I almost lost him today, and whoever tried to take him from me is going to regret it.
Skylar might be from the streets, but I grew up learning how to cover up crimes. It’s time to put that to use.
“I love you,” I whisper, “and I’ll make them pay for hurting you. I promise, Sky. I’ll make them all pay.”