Taken With Trouble (CAUGHT IN CHAOS #2)

47. Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Liam

I pry open my eyes and am instantly blinded. Heaven has bright lights.

Which means I didn’t die, because there’s no way I made it there.

“Liam?”

I’d know that voice anywhere. I force my stiff neck to the side until I find Serena. Caleb and Amelia are here as well, but they don’t claim my focus.

“Hey, beautiful,” I whisper.

Serena grabs my hand and pulls it up, hugging it to her chest. I can see she’s still fighting the emotions. Sometimes she needs help letting them out. Maybe I’ll help her along.

“What? You’re acting like I almost died or something.”

“You did!” Tears fall fast and quick down her face, and try as I might, I can’t gather them all up. “By your own father .”

I ground my teeth together. “How is that horrible man?”

Serena looks at Caleb.

“Uh, he’s okay?” He frowns, as if wondering if that’s the correct answer.

I puff out a breath. “I need to work on my aim.”

“Liam!” Serena lightly pats my arm, and my lips twitch.

“Is that all you’ve got? ”

“You’re in a hospital bed. You were just shot. I’m not going to hurt you.”

“I think it would help me feel much better to wrestle around with you.”

Her cheeks flame a bright pink, and somebody giggles, and says “Oh, they’re so cute.” I’m pretty sure it isn’t Caleb.

“Stop. You need to rest.”

“Why, am I hurt? You haven’t told me anything.” I could look down and confirm what I think, but I never want to take my eyes off Serena again.

“The bullet barely missed an artery. On top of that, you have two cracked ribs, and a fractured cheekbone. You’re lucky to be alive.” Her lips quiver on the last word.

“But I am.” I squeeze her hand. “And you love me.”

Her eyes go wide. She thought I wouldn’t remember that part, but I do. I held onto that one fact while everything else slipped away. When everything was gone, that one word was there, like a feeling wrapping around my body and keeping me aloft.

“Uh, we should go,” Caleb says, breaking the mood. Not really. I barely remembered they were here.

“Maybe there’s a supply closet we can make out in,” Amelia says as the door closes behind them.

The click of the door seems to jerk Serena back to life. “About what I said—”

“About how you love me? Because you do, and you can’t deny it. You also kissed me, and I fear I was not a very active participant. Perhaps you’ll allow me to make it up to you?”

She bites the inside of her cheek, hiding a smile. “I suppose.” She leans closer, brushing her lips over my swollen cheek, and bruised lips. “When you’re better.” She pops up and drops down in the chair.

I stare at her, mouth agape. “You’re joking, right?”

“Why? Would you like to hear a joke?” She grins.

I can’t help the foolish smile that overtakes me. But my eyelids are heavy, and so is the rest of my body. I close my eyes, relaxing in the bed, content for the first time in my entire life. “If it matters, I love you, too.”