He Saved Her, I Lost Our Child

line

g, but the sterility of th

admap of sutures-fourteen stitches where the brass had flayed the s

nd was ra

been si

oor o

ered. The gray dust of collapsed

med to have been holding since the explosion.

led i

rejected offering. "I spoke to the doctors. You're

tasted like ash on my tongue.

efore I had even accused him. "She has a history of respirator

d under a ce

nd through his hair, dislodging a speck of dust. "Lo

ed. Instinct is a powerful thing

s narrowing. "I saved a life. I didn't

're six hours late visiting your wife

ng a safe house. Her apartment isn't safe after the g

ave a br

ompliment, but it sounded like a curse. "You've

being strong so yo

hone

s thumbs flew across the scre

to go,"

ust go

ng sedation until she sees me. She thi

ed to t

ice trembling despite my resolve, "don't b

d for a second, the mask slippe

he phone b

," he lied. "We can't have a c

alke

onds. Then I thr

e, but the painkillers dulled the edge just enoug

r. I had to see. I h

ng slowly, sticking to the shadows cas

c observation room. The b

ing against the col

n a blanket. She wasn't frantic. She w

ook like the cold Underboss. He di

his chin on the top of her head. He w

en I s

orse. It was reverent. It was the kiss of a man wh

nderness he had never, not onc

able of love. H

didn't l

as the inhabitant. I was t

room, the rhythmic *thump-thump* of the

d. I didn't cry. T

ed for

s. He left my bed

l Sco

the cliff. One more p

. maybe I

on Maxwell, the architect in San Francisco

ld myself. *Wai

with no regrets. I needed to be sure

ed the

eft, Blake. Ma