by Suzie Nelson
“Has no one told you?” Danica squeezed Shelby tightly as Shelby imagined the worse. “It was a pretty close call from what the doctors have told us but he’s going to be okay. The surgery on his neck went well and they were able to remove the bullet without compromising his main artery. He hasn’t woken up yet but the doctors expect a full recovery.”
Shelby burst into uncontrollable tears as Danica held her tight. For a few minutes, she was unable to speak a word or do anything except to let the flood of emotion pour out of her. She was so relieved to hear that Blake was alive after hours of darkness. She clutched Danica tightly in her arms and embraced her like a real sister as she thanked the Lord for Blake’s escape from death.
“Oh Danica, I thought he was going to die. When the bullet hit him he just fell down and there was blood everywhere. I tried to wash it off but I can still feel it on my arms and hands. I can’t believe I almost lost him.” Shelby sat back and glanced down at her hands which were shaking.
“I don’t understand why you have been left here this whole time. Didn’t Hank come and tell you that we were here?” Danica looked puzzled as she wondered how the security team could have forgotten about Shelby but the whole evening had been a blur of confusion and drama.
“He was with us when it all happened but I haven’t seen him for hours. I waited and waited but the doctors said they couldn't tell me anything because I am not a family member. I didn’t know what else to do but wait.” Shelby was still consumed with guilt and exhaustion and as she spoke, her eyes filled with tears again and Danica saw how physically weak she was.
“Never mind that now. Let me take you to Blake.” Danica got up and took Shelby by the hand. “His room isn’t far, just a few corridors away.”
They walked along the empty sterile halls and Shelby’s mind started to fill with more questions. “How is it that you are here? Is Jordan with you? I thought you couldn’t travel until you had new passports?”
“Jordan used his business links at the embassy to get things moving faster and we got new passports yesterday. We touched down only a couple of hours after the shooting and Hank immediately brought us to the hospital. I was so worried but I’ve never seen Jordan so distraught. I’m not sure if he would have been able to overcome losing Blake.” Danica looked down at Shelby as they turned the corner into Blake’s ward. “Jordan has been by his side the whole time.”
They walked past rows of beds with ailing people lying in them until they reached a private room and the end of the ward. Danica pushed the door open and Shelby stepped in to find Blake lying in a white bed with several bandages wrapped around his neck and shoulder. Jordan sat next to him in a stiff wooden chair holding his hand while several machines were hooked up to him and making various beeping noises.
“Shelby! Thank heavens.” Jordan rushed over and took her in his arms. He too noticed the blood stains on her clothes but tried to focus on her well-being. “Are you okay? We didn’t know what had happened to you – Danica was looking everywhere.”
“I found her curled up on a bench near the operating theater, it seems our security people forgot about her.” Danica sounded annoyed but not enough to cause any upset.
“I’m so sorry. We asked the nurses but they didn’t know and I haven’t seen Hank for a while now. I’m not sure what he’s doing.” Jordan looked genuinely concerned but also tired and Shelby could see that it had been a long night for him too.
“I’m okay, I’m just relieved to hear that Blake made it through.” Shelby stood beside them desperately trying to get a peek at Blake.
“Of course, come sit beside him.” Jordan turned and led Shelby over to the single chair which she immediately sat in and reached out for Blake’s hand.
He looked completely different from the man that she had dined with only hours ago, but it was still Blake - it was still the man that had told her that he loved her and it was still the man that she adored. She stroked his warm hand and looked at his face which was partially covered by a large white bandage covering his neck and the side of his head. He was in a plain blue hospital gown and he had IV and various other wires tapped to him but Shelby still thought him the most handsome man that she had ever seen.
“We will give you a minute alone.” Jordan opened the door and stepped out into the ward as Danica followed behind.
“I’m going to get Hank to bring you some clothes from the house. I’ll get you some water and something to eat.” Danica smiled sympathetically as she closed the door behind her leaving Shelby finally alone with Blake.
Her heart ached at the sight of him lying injured in bed and her thoughts couldn’t move on from the guilt that he had shielded her from the flying bullets. Tears started to run down her cheeks and she wondered how she still had resources to cry after all that endless, emotional night.
“I’m so sorry, Blake.” She wiped away the drops of salty water but more filled their place. “I should never have come here with you. If I had have just stayed in America, we wouldn’t have been at that restaurant and you wouldn’t have jumped to protect me. It’s all my fault that you are lying here like this.” Shelby rubbed her cheeks and nose but it was pointless as she continued to cry.
“All night, I’ve been regretting that I never told you how I felt about you when I had the chance. We have wasted so much time being afraid of our feelings and missing out on loving each other and it could have all been taken away from us in the blink of an eye.” Shelby leaned in closer to his body and squeezed his hand tightly.
“You had the courage to tell me that you loved me and I never said it back. I will always regret not telling you that I love you because I do. I love you so much that it almost broke me when I thought you were gone. I’ve been a fool pushing you away and causing these silly arguments when all I really want is you.” Shelby watched his chest as it lifted up and fell with every breath and wondered if he could hear her. “I love you, Blake Ramsey. I love you more than anything or anyone and when you get up out of this bed, I’m going to love you for the rest of your life. You hear me? You have to get better and get out of this place because I’m going to love you.”
As she declared her last promise to Blake, Shelby felt his fingers twitch within her grip. She gasped and opened her palm to see them move as she prayed that she wasn’t imagining it.
“Blake, can you hear me?” She looked from his face to his hands but there was no movement. “Blake, if you can hear me move your fingers. Squeeze my hand, Blake. Please...”
Again she looked down and held her breath as she watched for his movement but nothing happened. And then, just as she gave out a sigh of disappointment, she felt Blake’s fingers gently bend and grip her hand.
“Oh, Blake! Blake!” Shelby laughed out and tears started to run down her face again but this time they were tears of joy.
Chapter 10
A few hours passed as Shelby, Jordan, and Danica waited by Blake’s side hoping that he would awake. Shelby had told them that Blake had squeezed her hand when she spoke to him but there had been no movements since. Jordan had tried repeatedly to hold Blake’s hand and talk to him but nothing happened.
“They said it could be a while before he wakes up.” Danica rested her hand on Jordan’s shoulder as he cradled his tired head in his hands.
“I know, I know… I just can’t stand watching him like this.” Jordan gave out a sigh as Shelby came up next to the bed. She had managed to change into a simple black T-shirt and a pair of jeans but she hadn’t left the hospital for one second. She was just about to go over and perch on the bed next to Blake when the door opened and a man dressed in a sharp business suit walked in.
“Edward?” Jordan shot up from his chair and looked over at his older brother in confusion. Shelby recognized Edward Ramsey from the pictures she had seen of him on the news and in the financial magazines but she had never actually met him in person. He had a formidable reputation as a difficult and arrogant man but Blake always spo
ke well of him when he was mentioned to Shelby.
“Jordan. Danica.” Edward didn’t have much of an expression and simply gave his brother and fiancé a civil welcome. He cast a quick glance over Shelby but didn’t ask any questions and didn’t care about being introduced.
“What are you doing here?” Jordan blurted out the question although it was obvious why Edward had come. Blake had told Shelby about the falling out between Edward and Jordan and although she didn’t know every detail, she knew that it had something to do with Danica.
“Our brother was shot, wasn’t he? I’ve come to see him. I know it might surprise you but I do actually care about Blake too.” Edward’s tone was bitter and he walked straight past Danica and looked at Blake.
Jordan was clearly vexed by his older brother’s presence and stood back with clenched fists trying hard not to respond to Edward’s provocation.
“You may have forgotten but our security team is paid for by Ramsey Enterprises, therefore, they answer to me. I was on the flight out as soon as I heard that Blake was in surgery.” Edward took Jordan’s seat and reached out for Blake’s hand. “The doctors told me that they recovered the bullet and they expect a full recovery.” Edward lifted his face and looked over Blake still lying motionless in the bed.
“Yes, they said the same thing to us but he hasn’t moved yet,” Jordan spoke bluntly as Danica remained standing behind him holding onto his arm.
“He did move.” Shelby stepped forward from the corner of the room and Edward turned his gaze toward her. “I was talking to him and he squeezed my hand.” Shelby didn’t know why she was nervous but as she stood in front of Edward’s interrogating eyes she could feel her stomach begin to knot.
“Who is this?” Edward spoke his question without caring who answered as he looked over Shelby.
“Shelby, this is Shelby Perez. She is friends with Blake and also a fashion designer that is helping us with the youth center.” Jordan answered as the tension in the room continued to increase.
“She was with Blake when he was shot,” Danica suddenly spoke up but she had no idea why she added the unnecessary information.
Edward didn’t say anything and simply returned his focus to Blake. Shelby remained standing there with her knotted stomach wondering why her information had been completely overlooked. She had felt Blake squeeze her hand, she wasn’t making it up or even exaggerating but everyone just looked at her with pitiful and judgmental eyes.
“If his state doesn’t improve soon he should be moved to a hospital back home where he can get some proper care.” Edward leaned forward and gently stroked the top of Blake’s head in an unusually affectionate manner.
“He has proper care here. The doctors said that he is going to be fine, so he will be okay.” Shelby couldn’t control herself and as she spoke she could feel the rage inside her starting to build. Who did Edward think he was? He had only been in the room for less than two minutes and he was already dishing out orders about Blake whom he hardly ever saw.
Shelby looked over at Jordan and Danica expecting them to pipe up in her defense but they just looked sheepish and remained silent. “He’s fine here, isn’t he, Jordan?”
Jordan didn’t know where to look as Shelby pointed him out and he was certainly not in the mood to start another argument with Edward. “I think the doctors here have done everything they could but there will be specialists and more experienced doctors back in the US.”
Shelby couldn’t believe her ears as Jordan cowered in the corner with Danica holding his hand.
“No! You can’t move him. He needs more time to rest, just give him a chance to rest and then he will wake up. You will see.” Shelby raised her voice at the thought that they would put Blake through an unnecessary journey when the doctors around them were perfectly capable of caring for him.
Edward stood up and raised a hand out for Shelby to calm down. Dressed in his expensive Armani suit and with his stern brow, he looked quite intimidating but Shelby wasn’t about just lie down and quit. “Miss Perez, this really doesn’t concern you. We are Blake’s family, not you – in fact, I’m not entirely sure why you are even here? It would be best if you left now.”
Shelby gasped at Edward’s rude instruction and Jordan finally stepped forward in her defense. “Edward, that’s enough. Shelby is Blake’s friend and has every right to be here…”
As the two brothers started to argue about who had any rights, Blake began to stir unnoticed in his bed. The loud talking had finally woken him and as he tried to lift his eyelids he felt a flood of pain wash over him as his head pounded.
“Shelby. Shelby.” His throat was dry and sore but he tried to get out the name of his love. “Shelby.”
“Look, look!” Danica was the first person to notice that Blake had turned his head and she pointed straight at him. Both Jordan and Edward stopped squabbling and they all looked at Blake as he rubbed his eyes with his hand.
“Shelby.” Again, he called her name and this time she could hear him.
Shelby rushed over to the side of the bed and wrapped her arms around his stiff body as Edward looked at her disgusted. “Blake! Oh Blake, praise the Jesus that you have woken up. Can you hear me?”
“What’s all the shouting about?” Blake recognized Jordan and Edward’s voices and hoped that his comment would ease the mood.
Shelby laughed out completely overjoyed that Blake was awake. “Oh, that doesn’t matter now. Everything is just fine now that you are awake. How do you feel?”
Blake tried to lift his head but he felt a sharp pain in his neck and instantly gave up. “I’ve been better. What happened?”
Shelby looked from Blake over to Jordan and wondered how on earth she could tell him that he was shot trying to protect her. Thankfully, Jordan stepped forward and leaned in over Edward.
“There was some sort of gang shooting next to the restaurant where you and Shelby were dining. A stray bullet hit you in the neck but the doctors have taken it out and they say that you are going to be just fine.” Jordan smiled down relieved to see his younger brother finally awake.
“I remember the restaurant.” Blake looked a little dazed as he tried to recall what happened. “Are you okay, Shelby? Did you get hit?”
Shelby could feel fresh tears rising to the surface as she looked at the caring man in front of her. He was injured, laid up and still thinking of her safety. “No, I’m fine. You are the one that shielded me from the bullets. I can’t thank you enough, Blake, for how you protected me, I’m just so sorry that it cost you so much.” A tear rolled down her cheek and Blake lifted his arm to stroke her as Edward stepped away from the bed.
“I’m going to get the doctor, they should know that he is awake.” Edward looked uncomfortable as everyone else easily poured out their emotions to Blake.
“Edward?” Blake couldn’t see his eldest brother but he was thankful that he had made the effort to come and see him.
“Yes, Blake?” Edward stood by the door eager to get out of the room and at the same time, he was happy to know that his brother was okay.
“Thank you, Edward. Thank you for coming, I’m glad you’re here.” Blake waited for his brother to reply and Jordan stood by wishing he could be as graceful and forgiving as Blake.
“Of course. I’ll just get the doctor.” Edward swallowed and then awkwardly coughed as he tried to keep himself composed. Emotions seemed to come easily to both Blake and Jordan but Edward was unable to clearly communicate the affection which he secretly felt for them. He stepped out of the room and set his mind upon the task of finding Blake’s doctor in order that he didn’t have to deal with his feelings.
“Jordan?” Blake turned his eyes toward his brother. “Can you give me and Shelby a minute?”
Jordan would have agreed to anything to make his brother happy in that moment and not feeling rejected in the slightest, he smiled and patted Blake on the shoulder. “Sure bro. I and Danica will be just outside
if you need anything.”
Confused, Shelby looked down at Blake wondering why he wanted to be alone with her. For a second, she wondered if his memory of their love affair had come rushing back to him and he was filled with regret or if perhaps, he also agreed with Edward that she shouldn’t be there.
“Shelby, I don’t really remember much about what happened but I do remember why we were there on our night together.” He squeezed her hand as she looked at him anxiously. “And when I woke up, I heard your voice telling me that you loved me. I don’t know if I dreamed it or hoped it but I need you to tell me if it was real or not?”
With tear-soaked cheeks, Shelby simply bent over him and gently kissed his dry lips. She didn’t have the words to express how much she loved him and how much her heart ached at the thought of losing him. All she could do was show him and hope that the desire within her flesh would be sensed by his. For several moments they remained lip-locked until Shelby lifted herself up and aligned her eyes with his.