The electrics failed, plunging the scene into darkness.
Xane was nowhere to be seen.
Dani kept on running until she hit something unexpected on the ground and toppled over Luthor, prone upon the gravel. He groaned, righting himself as she tumbled head over heels and landed sitting.
‘Xane’s in the car,’ he blurted, shaking fog from his head as he attempted to rise.
No! He couldn’t be.
Rock Giant and Elspeth both hit the water ahead of her. Dani kicked off her shoes. She wasn’t the strongest swimmer, but they had to find Xane and get him out of that car. She barely felt the cold as she plunged into the river. ‘Xane … Xane …’ she yelled.
Over by the sinking vehicle, his bandmates were making frantic dives. Rock Giant surfaced, shaking his head. ‘I don’t know if he’s in there. I can’t see anything.’ The only illumination was from the streetlights and houses some distance away. The night was cloudy with no stars or moon. ‘Xane …’ This could not be happening. She could not lose him. Not now.
‘Dani, he’s here.’ Luthor had moved a little way along the bank and was using his phone as a torch. ‘Quickly, help me. He’s floating.’
It took all four of them to manoeuvre him out onto the bank. He was limp and slippery in Dani’s arms as they lay him down upon the grass. And still – so very, very still.
‘No pulse.’ Elspeth swore. She was shivering so hard from the cold that Dani wasn’t sure how she could tell. Rock Giant tilted Xane’s head back and blew air into his lungs. This couldn’t be the end. This couldn’t be game over.
‘Wake up, damn you. Don’t leave me …’
‘Come on, man. Come on.’ Luthor lined up the heels of his hands and depressed Xane’s chest so hard that she was convinced he’d do him serious damage. The exertion left him red in the face and panting. He had blood matted in his hair from whatever he’d been hit with. ‘No fucking way. Come on, breathe.’
As if he’d been waiting for a cue, Xane made a choking sound and retched up river water. Tears of relief rolled down Dani’s cheeks. She wanted to hug him, but had to content herself with an exuberant screech because Luthor was already clutching him tight. Actually, sod that. She grabbed a tight hold of Luthor instead.
‘I think both of you need to let go and give him a chance to breathe.’ Rock Giant pushed them both back. He had enough corded muscles to make it easy to uncurl their fingers, even though they were both holding on for all they were worth. He eased Xane’s head down onto his lap. ‘All right, mate?’
Xane slowly blinked. His eyes were hideously bloodshot, and he’d lost one contact lens.
‘Hey, I thought you’d checked out on us there.’
‘Iain,’ Xane croaked.
Rock Giant shook his head. ‘Don’t know. Was he in the car with you?’ They all shot concerned looks at the car, which was almost submerged.
‘No … Poisoned Ash … Hit Luthor.’ Xane’s words were slurred, but they all got the message clearly enough.
‘I’m right here.’ Luthor leaned over Xane to reassure him that he’d survived, and to cover him with his dry jacket. ‘And so is Dani.’ He clasped her hand and tugged her forward.
Xane managed a tiny upwards smile. He raised a hand and covered their tightly joined hands with his. ‘Gonna be fine. It was in the bananas. He meant to destroy us from the start.’
‘But why?’
Xane gave his head a tiny shake. ‘Maybe Ash knows. He said I’d stolen him.’
A ruckus started around them, as Graham pushed his way to the front along with the members of Black Halo’s road crew and some of the site security team. ‘We need another ambulance,’ Elspeth informed him. ‘And the police.’
‘They’re already on their way.’ Sirens and blue lights marked their arrival. Paramedics checked them all over. Dani, Rock Giant and Elspeth were swiftly given the all clear and sent to put warm clothes on. Luthor had to go to the hospital along with Xane, as he required stitches. He was sitting by Xane’s bedside when Dani arrived at the hospital forty minutes later.
‘Pretty shoddy hotel,’ Xane complained. He was used to luxury. Dani was simply relieved that he had the energy to gripe.
‘What have the doctors said? Are you OK? Will there be lasting damage?’ She wanted to cling to him so badly, but didn’t want to hurt him. Xane made room for her on the bed, so he could put his arms around her and lean against her. He looked drained, but otherwise not much the worse for his ordeal.
‘They seem to think I’m fine. I’ve just got to stay in for observation.’
‘Likewise,’ Luthor moaned. They’d been given beds next to one another. ‘Have you seen what they’ve done to my hair?’ He turned so that she could see. He was missing a rectangular section of hair, and sporting a line of glue and steri-strips.
She grimaced. ‘Are you OK?’
‘A headache, but otherwise fine.’
Xane brushed his lips against the back of her neck. ‘Graham came in just before you got here. The police picked up Iain at the railway station. He’s being charged with two counts of attempted murder. We’re all expected to give statements tomorrow. Also, Ash has woken up.’
‘He has? That’s brilliant news.’ She clapped her hands, delighted. ‘Have you seen him?’
They both shook their heads. ‘It’s not plain sailing yet. He’s still being closely monitored and is apparently delirious. The docs said he’s had a big dose of something called Rohypnol. It’s a sedative often used as a date-rape drug, and it’s nasty stuff. They’re much happier now that he’s come round, but he’s going to be in here a while, going through detox.’
Damn Iain. If he wasn’t already in custody, she’d hunt him down herself and give him hell. How dare he do this to her boys?
‘What’ll happen about the tour?’ she asked a while later. They were supposed to be in Oslo the day after tomorrow.
‘Graham’s going to reschedule the rest of the northern European shows. We’re all going to take a break and then we’ll start touring again when everyone’s healthy.’
‘With Luthor in the band?’
Xane smiled as he looked at the other man. ‘Absolutely. He’s a fabulous drummer, and he saved my life. There’s no way I’m letting him go.’
‘And me?’ she asked in a small voice. This new situation still caused her butterflies.
‘You?’ Xane cuddled her closer. ‘There’s no way I’m ever letting you go. I need to marry you and have babies.’
‘Oh!’ she said, making a goldfish face. ‘Oh, my.’
‘Hold tight, Dani. It might be a rocky ride, but I swear to you it’ll be worth it.’
He yawned and lay back against the pillows, clearly exhausted. ‘I think I need to sleep now.’
‘Hang on a minute. Did you just propose? Did he?’ she asked Luthor.
Luthor turned towards his own bed. ‘I dunno.’
‘Xane?’
He smiled at her sleepily, but reached up and tugged her closer so he could give her a gentle kiss. ‘Hold that thought,’ he murmured. ‘I love you.’
Author’s Note
If you’re interested in hearing more from Black Halo, you can catch up with Dani and Xane in the forthcoming novel Come Alive (Rock Hard #3), and with Ash and Ginny in the books All Night Long and All Fired Up (expected December 2014).
If you’d like to be notified of these and future book releases, then please sign up for Madelynne’s Newsletter at http://www.madelynne-ellis.com/?page_id=619.
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Come Together Page 34
