“I went with him because I felt bad for him and thought he might have something important of yours—he mentioned your grandmother’s necklace. I thought he was supporting you because of the veil. And Roberta and her stupid boyfriend were there, too.” She rested her head back against the pillow, the motion causing a few tears to track down her cheeks.

“And then they tied me up and taped my mouth and some of my nose, so I passed out.” I covered my mouth. The horror of it all. The lack of safety.

“And when I came to, we were at Peter’s brother’s crime boss’ place. He wanted to keep me. Endgame said he wanted to make a point to you. But then when the crime guy, Bullsen, made it clear that he wanted to keep me, Endgame wouldn’t leave. Even dumb Roberta seemed like she didn’t want to leave me. Endgame stood up for me, and for that he was stabbed.” She wiped her cheeks and rubbed her nose. “I gave him the best CPR I could with my hands tied up. And we lost him. Right in front of me while I was doing CPR. Maybe before. The Bullsen guy said he knew where to stab people, and I believe him.” She looked at my chest and held out her damaged hand.

It's funny to get the news that you were always dreading. Not ha-ha funny, but a prediction coming true and the universe doing what it does kind of funny.

I gently took her hand. I saw it in her—the pain I was feeling. She was connected to me so deeply. So non-judgmental. She was exceptional. She was alive. Thank God she was alive. I scooted close to her and put my hands on her face.

“Kitten.” I rubbed my thumb down her cheek.

“I’m so sorry. I tried to save him.” Taylor sounded tired.

“I know.” I cradled her head.

I had tried to save him, too. Maybe I always knew I'd be destined to fail, but I had not expected it this soon. This real.

Taylor’s dad stepped into the room. “Baby.”

I got out of the way so he could hug his daughter. The nurse had followed him in and motioned me out.

I didn’t have a chance to say goodbye or that I'd see her later. Nothing. I was just in an elevator down to the lobby with nothing but my thoughts.

* * *

When the elevator opened, Gaze was there waiting for me.

“Brother.” He gave me a huge hug.

I unloaded on him. “Man, I’ve made so many mistakes. So many. That beautiful girl is in the hospital. Endgame is dead. Like, dead.”

Gaze gave me a shocked look. “He’s dead? What happened?”