Total pages in book: 230
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
Aramis floored it. The vehicle, which was the safest in its class, swerved left and right before spinning out of control in the middle of the red. I slammed on my brakes, gasping as my heart hit my throat, watching in anticipation, hoping like hell he’d regain control before the intersection opened up to the street.
I felt as if the world stopped as one vehicle, then another crashed into the car Aramis was driving. The car I was supposed to be driving. I didn’t think about my surroundings as I got out of the car and ran over to him. I didn’t think about how crowded the streets were or that I myself could also be hurt doing this.
The only thing I could think about was my brother.
CHAPTER 18
Ben
“Have you seen the news?” David asked, walking into the villa.
“No. What happened?” I switched the channel.
“Prince Aramis and Princess Pilar involved in fatal car accident”
Fatal car accident.
The control slipped out of my hand, crashing to the floor.
“In critical condition.”
“Ben?”
I blinked, looking at David, my eyes glazed and hazy.
“Do you want to go?” David asked.
I thought I nodded. I thought I said something. I couldn’t be sure. I felt numb. I’d just seen her. I’d just texted with her a couple of hours ago. I glanced up at the television, took in the helicopter footage as it circulated around the scene. My heart squeezed. God, please no. I’d give her up if it meant she’d be okay. I’d give up football. I’d give up anything to rewind time so that she could be okay. That was the mantra I kept in my head the entire flight over and on my way to the hospital when we finally got there. Nothing else mattered, I realized. And as I stepped out of the SUV and into the sea of swarming cameras taking my picture, I no longer cared. I didn’t care to hide behind a wall. I cared about Pilar, getting to Pilar and making sure she was okay. It was the only thing I cared about in that moment.
“What are you doing here?” Elias turned to me when he saw me in the hall. Two of his security personnel stepped between us.
“Are they okay? Is Aramis okay? Pilar? What happened?”
“They’re…they’re going to be fine.” Elias’s expression fell. He waved away the security team between us and let me come closer. “Aramis was driving Pilar’s car and it spun out of control.” He shook his head. “She went to try and help, and was hit by a cyclist and fell, but she’s okay. He’s fine. He just got out of surgery, and he’s all right.”
“What about the fire? It looked like there was a fire.”
“One of the cars…” Elias swallowed. “One of the other cars involved caught fire.”
“And the fatalities?” I held my breath, feeling like every single thing out of his mouth was the most important thing I’d ever heard.
“Two people died.” He looked down.
“Hey.” Adeline walked out of one of the rooms and headed toward us. “Ben, are you here to see…?”
“Pi—I’m here for both of them,” I said, because it was the truth. I would have been here for Aramis, but I ran here, flew here, for Pilar.
“She’s in there,” Adeline whispered, pointing at the room she’d just left.
She put her hand in Elias’s and pulled him to the chairs in the waiting area. That was when I noticed that Elias’s mother was also there, sitting and speaking to some people. Our eyes met, and I gave her what I hoped was a sympathetic look. She acknowledged it with a nod and then returned her attention to those she had been talking to.
I opened the door slowly and stopped breathing when I saw Pilar on the hospital bed, Amir at her side. He looked as if he’d lost hours of sleep and gained hundreds of years since the last time I saw him. He glanced up at me and walked toward the door, setting a hand on my shoulder as he left. I walked forward quickly and went over to Pilar.
“Hey.” She smiled weakly. “I’m fine. I just…scratches.” She pointed at the scratch on her face and lifted her arms to show light bruising. “But my brother…” Her eyes welled with tears. “Aramis.”
“He’s fine. He’s stable. Just got out of surgery,” I said, grabbing her hands in mine and taking a seat beside her in the small bed. I looked at her and felt myself crumble as I leaned in and wrapped my arms around her as gently as I could. “You scared the hell out of me, Princess.” I pulled away. “Are you really okay? What happened?”
“I’m fine. I feel fine. I’ll be out of here tomorrow. I just…” Her lip wobbled. “Aramis.”
“He really is okay.” I squeezed her hand. “I’m going to go see him next, but your brother is fine. You know he’s too stubborn to leave us.”