The hospital lights felt endless.
Jay hadn't moved from the ICU doors since they took him inside. Her clothes were still wrinkled from the warehouse. Her hands still trembling.
Every second felt like punishment.
She replayed it again and again in her head.
The gunshot.
Keifer stepping in front of her.
The way he fell.
The way he held her hand.
"Take care of yourself… and my brothers."
Her chest tightened.
He didn't just ask her to take care of Keiran and Keigan.
He asked her to take care of herself.
Even when he was bleeding.
Even when he could barely stand.
He was thinking about her.
Her eyes filled again.
"You idiot…" she whispered, wiping her tears. "You were supposed to stay behind me for once."
The ICU doors finally opened.
Jay jumped to her feet instantly.
The doctor walked out, removing his gloves, calm but serious.
She couldn't breathe.
"Doctor?" Her voice cracked. "Is he—"
"He's stable," the doctor said gently.
Jay felt her knees almost give out.
"He lost blood, yes. And the bullet caused trauma to his shoulder area, but it missed any vital organs. He was very lucky."
Lucky.
The word made her want to cry and laugh at the same time.
"He'll wake up soon," the doctor continued. "Right now his body needs rest. The surgery went well. We've controlled the bleeding."
Jay pressed her hand against her chest, trying to steady her racing heart.
"Can I see him?" she asked softly.
The doctor studied her for a moment — the tear-streaked face, the trembling fingers, the fear she was trying to hide.
"Yes," he said kindly. "But only for a few minutes. He needs complete rest. No stress. No crying over him."
She nodded quickly.
"I won't."
But she already knew she would.
The room was quieter than the hallway.
Machines beeped softly.
Keifer lay there, pale but alive. A bandage wrapped around his shoulder. His arm secured. An IV in his hand.
He looked… smaller.
Not the fearless, dominant, untouchable Keifer Watson.
Just a boy.
Her boy.
Jay stepped closer slowly.
Her fingers hovered over his hand before finally holding it gently.
It was warm.
Thank God.
"You're so dramatic," she whispered, her voice shaking. "Getting shot just to prove you love me?"
Her lips trembled.
"You scared me."
She leaned closer, brushing his hair back carefully.
"I'm taking care of myself," she whispered near his ear. "You don't get to worry about that. I'm not going anywhere."
Her thumb moved slowly over his knuckles.
"And your brothers? They're fine. I promise. But don't think for a second that I'm doing this because you told me to."
Her voice broke softly.
"I'm doing it because you're coming back to handle it yourself."
She leaned down, resting her forehead lightly against his uninjured arm.
"You don't get to leave me alone in this world, Keifer."
A small tear slipped out, landing on his hand.
She quickly wiped it.
"No crying," she reminded herself. "Doctor said no crying."
She took a shaky breath.
"I'm right here," she whispered.
And for the first time since the gunshot…
She wasn't terrified.
Because he was still here.
And he was going to wake up.
Soon