Chapter 653:
Kendrick’s steps faltered as he reached Rylie’s side, his voice barely more than a breath. “Sweetheart,” he murmured, grief and pride tangled in every syllable. He slipped off his coat and settled it gently around her shoulders.
Marcus leaned in, keeping his voice low and steady. “Grandpa, the top surgeons from HaloFlow are here. Every one of them has seen combat. Brad’s in good hands right now, and they’ll take care of Rylie next.”
A moment of silence stretched between them before Kendrick spoke again, his eyes drifting to the other tent, where the man who saved and carried Rylie back from the pit was. “Tell me—how’s Brad doing?”
The trail of blood stretched on and on, and everyone could only wonder what strength Brad had drawn upon to bring Rylie back alive.
Marcus spoke gravely. “His leg is badly injured, and he’s battling hypothermia. Luckily, those surgeons are seasoned. They’ve managed to stabilize him.”
Kendrick let out a heavy sigh. “This time, we owe him.”
Deandre shook his head. “Owe him? Don’t forget, Rylie saved his life too. Without her skill, the poison would’ve taken him long ago.”
Marcus placed a hand on his shoulder. “It’s fate, Deandre. Don’t let it weigh on you. Without Brad risking himself, both Felix and Rylie might not be here now. He deserves our thanks.”
When Rylie woke, her clothes were clean and her wound carefully treated. After checking herself briefly, she tried to rise, intent on seeing Felix.
At that moment, Deandre entered carrying a tray of food. Spotting her awake, he hurried over. “Rylie! You’re up. How do you feel? Any pain?”
She shook her head with a faint smile. “I’m fine, really. How’s Felix?”
“Don’t worry. Thanks to you, he pulled through once the antidote kicked in. I arranged for a medevac to fly him to a proper hospital. The equipment here is too limited.”
gⱯlnσν𝓮𝓁s﹒𝓬𝗈𝗺, the heart of fiction
Deandre brushed a hand against her pale cheek. “You gave us quite a scare.”
“I’m all right,” Rylie said softly. Then the image of Brad collapsing flashed before her eyes, and she asked, “What about Brad now? I need to see him. Where is he?”
Deandre set the tray down and passed her a spoon. “He’s safe. Don’t stress yourself. Eat first.”
“I’ll eat later. I want to see him now.” She pushed off the covers, ready to move.
Deandre reached to stop her, but Marcus entered with a wheelchair. “Let her go,” Marcus said calmly.
He helped Rylie into the chair and slipped the spoon back into her hand. “Have a few bites first. The weather’s finally clear and warm. You can enjoy the sun while visiting Brad.”
“Thank you, Marcus,” Rylie said, obediently tasting her food.
Once she finished and left in the wheelchair, Deandre’s frown lingered.
“Relax,” Marcus told him.
Deandre muttered, “I don’t like it. After all we went through to bring her back, I don’t want her with Brad. Trouble follows him everywhere. Staying with this man would only make Rylie’s life harder.”
Marcus chuckled. “You and Grandpa both need to ease up. We can’t cage her feelings. She should follow her own heart. She’s an adult now, after all. She has every right to decide which man she loves.”
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