Exhausted. Weak. But alive. Obviously.
Can you cope with Jasper? Will you have the strength?
I'll cope. And Jasper would pay for every ounce of pain he'd put Nikki through. Is she ... all right?
Michael opened his eyes and studied Nikki's still features. She lay unmoving on the bed, her skin almost translucent, as if still held by the specter of death. He couldn't reach her mind, couldn't open the link between them, and it worried him.
I don't know.
How did all this happen?
Jasper set a trap, using Nikki's boss as bait.
That Jake still lived was a miracle. With the injuries he'd sustained, he'd have to be surviving on sheer force of will alone. But such courage deserved respect. Michael hoped the hospital could work a miracle. Not just for Nikki's sake, but his own. Jake was a rare find in this day and age—someone who looked beyond fear, beyond humanity, to see the person that lay beneath. Do you need a hand? Gail's available.
I'll handle it.
But—
I said I'll handle it.
Concern ran down the link. Are you sure? Gail's ready to go. The bastard's mine!
Her thoughts recoiled from the force of his anger, and he cursed. Lashing out at his friends would help no one, least of all Nikki.
Sorry.
I understand, Michael. Just be careful. You're no good to your Nikki if you make yourself so damn weak you can barely stand.