Keifer's POV
It had been hours.
I'd lost count of how many times I blinked, hoping when I opened my eyes, she'd be looking back at me.
But Jay still hadn't moved.
The steady beeping of the heart monitor was the only thing keeping me grounded. That, and the way her hand—still warm in mine gave me the tiniest sliver of hope.
But guilt?
That was the loudest thing in the room.
I stared at her pale face, her lips chapped, an oxygen tube under her nose, bruises painting her skin like some kind of cruel artwork.
My chest tightened again.
Why did you do that, Jay?
Why did you run in front of me like that?
Why did you take the bullet that was meant for me?
"Idiot," I whispered, brushing a strand of her hair back. My voice cracked. "Stubborn, selfless, stupid idiot…"
The door creaked open.
I didn't look up until I heard Rory's soft voice. "Keif?"
Edrix stood behind him, hands in his pockets, his usual smirk traded in for concern.
"You've been here all day," Rory said gently. "You haven't eaten anything, man. Let us bring you something. What would you like?"
I shook my head slowly. "I can't, guys. I… I don't think I can eat. Not when the reason Jay is lying in this bed is because of me."
My voice dropped.
"But… I do need something else."
They both looked at me.
"I need you to find out who did this. Who pulled that trigger." My jaw clenched. "I didn't see their face. I was too focused on getting her to safety. But someone tried to end her. Her. That bullet wasn't random."
Edrix's expression hardened. Rory nodded.
"We're on it," Edrix said. "Give us a few hours."
"We gotchu, Keif," Rory added. "Jay's strong. She'll pull through."
They left quietly, like brothers who knew how fragile I was in this moment.
As soon as the door clicked shut, I turned back to her.
I dropped to my knees beside the bed, my forehead resting on the edge, her fingers still wrapped in mine.
I cried.
Ugly, broken sobs that cracked my ribs from the inside.
"I don't care about revenge," I whispered. "Not as much as I care about you."
I looked up at her, brushing a kiss against her hand.
"Jay… baby… please wake up."
No response.
Just the monitor, ticking away.
"I promise you if you wake up, I'll take you to that all-you-can-eat brunch buffet you like. The one with the ten kinds of waffles and that ugly green juice you made me drink last time."
Still nothing.
I pressed her hand to my cheek. My voice broke into a whisper.
"I'll buy you the entire dessert counter if that's what it takes. Hell, I'll even wear that dumb cat ear hoodie in public if it makes you smile."
A tear slipped down my cheek.
"Just… please, Jay. Come back to me. I don't know how to live without you. I'll lose my damn mind."
The silence felt like a punch to the lungs.
But then—
Her fingers twitched.
Slight.
Barely noticeable.
But it was enough.
I bolted upright. "Jay?"
Her eyelids fluttered.
My heart stopped.
Her voice came out like the softest breath. "…You better not be lying about the buffet…"
I laughed choked, messy, teary.
"God, you're awake… You're awake."
I kissed her hand over and over. "I swear I'll buy the whole damn restaurant if that's what you want."
Her lips curved into the faintest smile. "You're dramatic."
"You took a bullet for me, Jay," I whispered. "You don't get to call me dramatic."
She blinked slowly. "You're crying."
"I almost lost you."
Her thumb weakly wiped the tear off my cheek. "But you didn't."
And I knew then I'd never let anyone lay a hand on her again.
Not while I was still breathing.