Alik and Evan had slipped away, to find the blood samples they’d taken from Cole and exchange them for the plain human blood. It didn’t take them long. Evan knew his way around hospitals as if he owned the place. Alik distracted the female technician with his charming smile and story about being lost looking for the gift shop while Evan wrapped the proper labels onto the new vials and slipped away unnoticed.
The brothers met back in the apricot corridor and proceeded to the waiting room without the need to exchange a word. Evan texted his mother about their success and wished her luck switching the bag of O-Neg with the real blood Cole’s body needed.
Back in the van, Alik felt compelled to get some things out on the table. “Listen, this wasn’t part of the plan at all. Cole is like a brother to me. I have no idea what caused him to…do what he did, but I know one thing: He would want us to go through with our plan. He spent the last year being hunted by Williams, too. He wouldn’t want us to stop on his account.”
Farrow had been nodding in the passenger seat. “I agree. We need to proceed with the plan.”
“How do you all feel about it?” Alik asked the others.
“Well, we’d have to change a few things, but I think it’s just as doable without Cole as it was with him,” Gavil said pragmatically.
“I’m in,” Slider shrugged, obviously the least fazed by current events.
“You know I’m ready to finish this, brother,” Evan caught Alik’s eyes in the rear-view mirror.
Alik nodded. “Now let’s just hope to God Meg wakes up. Her part in this is too important; we need her.” He gripped the steering wheel and pointed the van down the road heading back to the house.
Chapter 39 Sleeping Beauty
After much deliberation, Creed decided to stay right where he was with the girl from his dreams in his lap. Everyone had left an hour ago for the hospital. He felt so content now that Meg slept peacefully in his arms. He couldn’t think of anywhere else he’d rather be than right there with her. He let his head fall back against the cushion and closed his eyes deep in thought when he felt the girl stir.
She took a slow, deep breath before her eyelids fluttered open.
Creed watched her every move, half afraid she would jump from his lap and run away, never to let him hold her again.
Meg looked into Creed’s worried eyes in a daze for a moment before she realized she was lying in his arms, curled against his chest, and from the stiffness in her body, she’d been like this for quite awhile. Her brows furrowed.
“What happened?” She asked softly, as though afraid of the answer.
“We’re not sure. You were in the kitchen when we heard you scream. I found you on the floor; your face all scratched up apparently by your own hands.” He was worried this was too much for her, but how was he supposed to protect her from herself?
Meg reached up and gingerly felt the gouges trying to heal on her face. She grimaced; eyes shut tight as the memories came flooding back.
“Cole was in a horrible accident,” Meg tensed into fetal position at the body memories.
“Yes,” Creed continued to watch the girl he both loved and feared. “He is in critical condition after being Care Flighted to the hospital. Your mom and Theo went first. Your brothers and the other metas left about an hour ago to take him some of our blood.”
Meg listened, nodding almost imperceptivity. “I felt everything he felt.”
Creed had suspected as much all along, but still felt as though she just slapped him with her words. He swallowed hard. He knew Cole and Meg had history, but he didn’t know how deeply she felt for him.
Now, he had to accept that Meg was completely connected to Cole. It was the only explanation he could imagine. He cleared his throat. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that with him. How do you feel now?”
Meg moved to sit up. Creed helped ease her upright, his arms already missing her warmth. Tentatively, she stretched her long, lean legs, then her toned arms before nodding to Creed. He helped her stand, his hand on her elbow, ready to catch her if her legs gave out. She was a little wobbly at first, but seemed to find her strength even in the effort. She put her hand over Creed’s on her arm and didn’t let go.
Her eyes were downcast when she said, “It wasn’t an accident.”
“What?”
“What happened to Cole. It wasn’t an accident. He intentionally drove into the cement barricade.”
“Why would he do that?”
“He saw us together this morning—in the barn,” Meg’s cheeks blushed as she looked away.
Creed’s eyes widened. He was stunned silent.
Then a different emotion boiled to the surface as he watched Meg’s scratched face grimace with guilt.
“That selfish son of a bitch!”
Her dark eyes flashed with surprise at his reaction.