“I just want to make sure you’re not feeling any pain,” he tells Tess, since her head has been throbbing.
“No, I’m okay, but is there something you can give Delaney? I’m worried about her.”
I want to scream, to tell her I’m fine and that I just need time, but I can’t find it in me to say a single word. My mouth opens, but nothing comes out. It’s been that way for two hours now and shows no signs of getting better.
He gives me a sympathetic look and nods. “I’ll call psych and see what we can do.”
GRAYSON AND ZAYN SIT across the room, texting Wyatt about deleting the evidence of Mr. Montgomery’s murder from Cal’s computer—now that there’s an open investigation. If anyone can do it, it’s him. Easton is next to Tessa in bed and Savannah is running her fingers through my hair. No one knows what to say, so instead, they all stay quiet—which may even be worse.
The doctors and nurses start to whisper, and as I glance out the glass door, I see their eyes widen. It isn’t until I get up and walk toward the hall that I see why.
A surgeon, covered in so much blood it’s alarming, asks the nurse at the desk a question. She nods and points at me, giving me a sad smile as he comes my way. Half of me is screaming to run—with him looking like that, after nine hours, it can’t be good—but my feet won’t move. They’re planted in place, practically cemented to the floor.
“Miss Callahan?” I nod slowly. “I’m Dr. Garrison. I was the surgeon operating on Mr. Vaughn.” He looks at me, expecting an answer he isn’t going to get. Finally, he continues. “As you know, he had a gunshot wound to the chest. The bullet had punctured his aorta, and the amount of blood loss was substantial.” I take a deep breath as I wait to hear the words I know will kill me inside. “With that being said, we were able to repair the damage and get his heart beating again. However, given the amount of blood loss and the amount of trauma, we’re still very much in a wait and see stage.”
My hand flies up to cover my mouth as sobs wrack through me. “He—he’s alive?”
“He is.”
In that moment, my legs give out and I fall to the ground. Savannah rushes to my side, wrapping her arms around me and pulling me into her chest. As I look back into the room, my eyes meet Zayn’s—finding the same tears in his as well. He’s alive.
THE SECOND THEY WHEEL him into the ICU, with a tube down his throat to breathe for him and more monitors than I’ve ever seen, I’m instantly by his side. The nurses try to work around me, getting him hooked up to everything they need and situated, but it becomes too difficult.
“Sweetheart, why don’t you go wait with your sister, and we’ll come get you as soon as he’s done.”
I nod reluctantly, stepping out of the room and into the hall. The second I turn toward Tessa’s room, however, a familiar face stops me in my tracks.
Carter stands there with a bouquet of flowers in his hand, sporting a weak smile. I take a deep breath before walking over to him.
“Hey. What are you doing here?”
He shrugs. “My dad told me what happened. I was worried about you.”
It’s sweet, really, but he deserves someone who can reciprocate his feelings.
“Carter,” I start but he cuts me off.
“You’re choosing Knox, I know,” he says. “I get it. I can’t really compete with someone who actually took a bullet for you. I just wanted to make sure you’re all right.” His arms wrap around me for a gentle hug. “He’s a really lucky guy, Delaney. I hope it all works out for you.”
“Thanks.”
With that, he leaves the flowers on the counter and walks away—only looking back once to smile at me before stepping into the elevator. I hope it all works out, too.
THE CHAIR NEXT TO Knox’s bedside is hardly what I would consider comfortable, but no part of me intends on leaving. The beeping of his heart monitor is the only thing that assures me he’s still with us. Otherwise, he’s as lifeless as he was when they pulled him out of the ambulance.
“How’s our guy today?” Z asks as he comes into the room.
I shrug. “No improvement, but nothing negative either. Same as yesterday.”
And the day before. And the day before that.
Knox has been in a coma for almost a week with no change. The doctors keep reminding me that his body went through a lot, and that there’s still a good chance he’ll wake up, but every day I go without hearing his voice sends me slipping deeper into my fear and grief.
“Has his mom been by today?”
“Not yet.” I look down and check the time on my phone. “She said her shift finishes at three. She’s coming straight from the diner.”
Zayn nods, walking over to Knox. “Hey, buddy. Why don’t you try waking your lazy ass up today, okay?”
I chuckle, knowing he’s only playing around. Z has been a shoulder to lean on through all of this. All the guys have, really. With my parents flipping out, rightfully so, my dad put his differences with the “delinquents” aside for the sake of his daughters. Easton has been picking Tessa up for school in the mornings, since she can’t seem to be alone, and he’s actually allowed in the house when she has instances where the nightmares just won’t stop.
Meanwhile, Grayson and Savannah have been bringing me all my schoolwork. If Knox wakes up and finds out I lost valedictorian because I was too busy sitting with him, he’ll be so mad at me. Therefore, I spend my days doing all my studying by his bedside. It’s a difficult schedule, but I make it work. I’ll always make it work.
MY PHONE BUZZES ON the counter—three texts from Zayn, coming in one after another. I wrap my hair in a towel and pull on my robe as I open them.
Zayn: Delaney.
Zayn: You need to get here.
Zayn: NOW!
“Shit!”
Dread fills my stomach. This is it.
AS I RUN THROUGH the hospital and into the elevator, all possible worst-case scenarios run through my head. I’m too late. He died without me. He needs another surgery. The doctors and his mother want to take him off life support.
My finger slams into the button and then repeatedly jabs at the one to close the doors. I’m a nervous wreck the whole time, watching the numbers rise on the screen. When it finally opens to the ICU floor, I book it out of the elevator and through the double doors.
It only takes seconds before I get from the elevator to Knox’s door, but when I do, I can’t believe it. Two gorgeous blue eyes stare back at me, the corner of his mouth turned up in a smirk. I can’t even acknowledge all the guys in the room. It’s just him and me.
“Hey, Bambi.” Tears come so quickly it becomes hard to see. Knox looks to both Gage and Stone, who are sitting on the sides of his bed. “You fuckers are great and all, but if you don’t move so my girl can get over here, we’re going to have some issues.”
Everyone chuckles as they both jump up. Our gazes stay locked as I walk over to the side of his bed and place my hand in his. He’s really here. He’s really awake.
The second I’m close enough, he grasps the back of my neck and pulls me in, molding his mouth over my own in a well-needed and long-overdue kiss. Gage makes some obnoxious whooping sound, only to get smacked by someone else, judging by the sound and the whining that comes after. By the time we pull away, I’ve passed through fear and elation and now I’m just pissed.
“You almost died on me.”
“Yeah.”
I turn to Zayn and throw pack of wet wipes at him. “You asshole! You made it sound like he was fucking dying!”
He laughs. “He told me to get you here as soon as possible. I figured you’d like the surprise.”
Looking back at Knox, I glare playfully. “Did you know about this?”
“I may have.” He gives me his best innocent grin.
I roll my eyes. “You’re the worst.”
“I warned you to stay away.”
“Fuck you.”
He smiles brightly. “I love you, too.”
My br
eath hitches, and everything in me comes alive. In just four short words, every ounce of heartache becomes completely worth it. All the trouble. All the chaos. All the pain. I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat just to get back here.
As I carefully lie in his arms, I think of all we went through. People were right. Knox Vaughn is trouble. His hands are tainted—dyed permanently red with the blood of the lives he’s taken—and yet, I’d trust them with my own.
What can I say? Golden boys just don’t do it for me.
Epilogue
DELANEY
I stand in front of the mirror in my room, placing the cap perfectly on top of my head. The tassel hangs on the right side and reminds me of what’s to come. Savannah comes to stand beside me, her gown matching mine, while Tessa sits on my bed.
“I can’t believe they’re making me repeat half my senior year before they’ll give me my diploma!” she whines.
Sav and I share a look, one that silently says she’s leaving this to me. I chuckle and turn around to face my sister.
“Well, what did you expect? You didn’t show up for more than half of senior year.”
“Uh, hello? Lived through a super traumatic event and all?”
“Uh, hello? What about all the days before that?”
She groans and flops onto her back. “Ugh. This is going to suck. I don’t even know any juniors.”
“I do.” Sav chimes in. “Lennon Bradwell. She dances with me, and she’s incredible. I’ll make sure to introduce you this summer.”
It doesn’t fix Tessa’s mood, but it definitely makes a dent. I grab the notecards from my dresser, looking over my speech. If there was ever something to be nervous about, it’s this.
THE GYMNASIUM IS FILLED with excited students itching to graduate. The girls are all in white, the guys in red. Savannah rests against Grayson with his arms wrapped around her, making me wish my boyfriend was in here with me.
Carter and Jace are being obnoxious, as usual, goofing off and talking about how kick-ass college is going to be. Of course they decided to go together. I don’t think the two of them could stand being apart. Savannah and I are almost the same way, except she’ll be at Juilliard in New York, and I’ll be attending Brown University in Rhode Island. At least we’ll both be on the same coast, just a train ride away.
THE WALK TO OUR seats goes off without a hitch, and after a few key speakers, it’s finally time for my speech. My nerves are all over the place as Principal Hyland starts off my introduction.
“Our valedictorian this year is someone who has overcome many obstacles and still has managed to shine. It is with great pleasure that I introduce Delaney Callahan.”
Our whole class cheers, with my friends of course being the loudest. Even Tessa stands in the audience, screaming my name. I smile as I stand, walking up to the podium and taking my place.
“Thank you, Principal Hyland,” I tell him, then turn my attention to everyone else. “Parents, faculty, and fellow graduates, I stand before you today, young, determined, and ready to take on the world. I could tell you all about the last four years, but instead, I believe it’s more important to talk about what’s next. Now, I’m not going to give life-changing advice. One, because the highest GPA doesn’t mean I know any more than you do. And two, because I know most of you won’t listen to it anyway.”
Many of the people in the audience chuckle as I pause for a breath.
“Wherever we’re headed, whether it be university, an internship, or in some cases, a year abroad, we’re all going to face the same challenges. We’re going to learn. We’re going to mess up. And we’re going to fail. It’s important, however, that we don’t let that failure define us, but rather shape how we react to it. Embrace the mess-ups, and learn from the downfalls—because they’re bound to happen, a lot. It’s only embarrassing if you don’t learn from your mistakes. Take a break when your brain feels too full, because mental exhaustion is actually a thing. And finally—”
My eyes find Knox in the back of the crowd and he smirks at me.
“Never, under any circumstances, let anyone tell you that you don’t belong.”
He throws his head back, laughing as the hidden joke is well received. I look around at all the people I’ve spent the last four years with, and swallow down the lump in my throat.
“Thanks for the memories, HGP. It’s been real.”
All my fellow students stand, applauding me while I shake the principal’s hand and get my diploma. He moves the tassel from the right side to the left, and that’s when I know I did it. I made it through this crazy thing called high school, and so much more.
AS CAPS FLY IN the air, and everyone walks around hugging all their friends, I have eyes for only one person. Knox leans against the fence and looks like sex on legs. The minute his eyes meet mine, he rushes forward.
Picking me up, he spins the two of us around. “I’m so fucking proud of you.”
He puts me down, and I give him a sad smile. “You’re not upset you don’t get to walk at graduation?”
“Nah,” he shrugs. “I don’t need all that traditional crap.”
After Knox’s surgery, it took him a while to recover, and by the time he was ready to go back to school, he was too far behind. He would’ve had to repeat part of his senior year, like Tessa, but instead, he opted to get his GED—something my father absolutely refuses to let Tess settle for. Plus, there was the issue of being charged with manslaughter…
I knock on the door, feeling anxious just being here. If it wasn’t absolutely necessary, I wouldn’t be. As soon as the door opens, Carter looks everything like the friend I’ve come to adore—no judgement or malice in his eyes.
“Hey.”
His face shows his concern. “Is everything okay?”
“Not exactly,” I murmur. “Can I come in?”
Nodding, he opens the door further and steps aside. The two of us go to sit on the couch and when it comes time to tell him why I’m there, my nerves get the better of me. Twenty years to life, Delaney.
“So, how’s Vaughn doing?”
I sigh heavily. “He’s okay, I guess. It’s a lot of trauma, emotionally and physically, but the doctors say he’ll make a full recovery.”
“Good,” he replies, genuinely meaning it. “I heard my dad talking to one of his colleagues about everything that happened. That’s intense.”
“Yeah.” I take a deep breath. “It’s funny you mention it though, because that’s why I’m here.”
“Oh?” His expression almost sends me running out the door, but I’ll never know if I don’t ask.
I look down, messing with my sleeve. “I was wondering if you could talk to your dad about a plea deal.”
He throws his head back. It’s crazy, I know—asking him to do help someone he’s hated for years. Thankfully, Wyatt was able to get rid of the video before anyone in the FBI found it, but Jackson has personally witnessed the deaths of the men in the ring. If Knox gets found guilty, the four charges of manslaughter could put him away for a long time. I don’t know what I’ll do if that happens.
“Delaney, he’s killed people.”
“I know, and I’m not asking for him to get off with a slap on the wrist.” I explain. “But Carter, my life was being threatened.”
He takes a moment to think about it, and I can tell he doesn’t want to, but he reluctantly agrees. “I’ll see what I can do.”
By the grace of God, whatever Carter said to Mr. Trayland worked and Knox was offered a plea deal—four months of house arrest and fifty hours of community service. Leaving that courthouse, Knox shook Carter’s hand with an utmost respect—the long feud now completely behind them.
“Congratulations, Delaney.” Jackson says as he approaches, and his presence surprises me. I know Knox mentioned inviting him, but I never thought he’d actually come.
Since everything went down, Knox and Jackson have become close. Jackson was a key part in helping Knox get his strength back, and he still trains wi
th him today. At first, Knox was hesitant to let anyone that was associated with Cal in his life, but after we learned that it was Jackson who killed Paulo, he came around.
Apparently, Paulo had strict orders that day to not let either of us out of that room alive. Jackson overheard and tried to get him away from the door, allowing us to leave safely. Unfortunately, it only took seconds for Paulo to blow Jackson’s cover wide open. When Paulo went for his gun, Jackson had no choice but to take his life.
“Thank you.”
He looks to Knox. “I can’t stay, but we’re still on for tomorrow?”
“Yep. 7 a.m.”
Jackson nods, and after congratulating me one more time, he disappears into the crowd. For a second, I think I’m finally going to get a minute alone with my boyfriend, but luck isn’t on my side. The next thing I know, I’m being swarmed by all my friends and family.
TWO MONTHS LATER
The music fills the club, pulsing neon lights keeping time with the beat. Savannah sits on my left with Tessa and Lennon on my right. The four of us are at the bar, thanks to the flawless fake IDs Carter hooked us up with. He even got Knox one, since the one he had before didn’t have a chance at getting him in here. Though since we walked in the door, Knox and Grayson have been immersed in their own bromance conversation.
“I don’t want you to leave tomorrow,” Tess whines, resting her head on my shoulder.
I chuckle softly. “I know, but you’ll be okay. Besides, you can come visit any time you want.”
The Saint: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (Haven Grace Prep Book 2) Page 22
