"Mrs Richardson?" The doctor called out grasping everyone's attention.

"Y-Yeah that's me" Isabella made her way through the bundle of people still unable to stop her crying. She was a complete mess when she saw James in an unconscious state. As he was taken into surgery Isabella became inconsolable screaming and lashing out at objects around her. She tried to attack my men screaming that it was our fault. I knew she didn't mean it and couldn't help it. Triggers such as this tend to set off her personality disorder.

Isabella was restrained and sedated in hopes of calming her down and letting the medical staff get on with saving James.

"I just wanted to inform you that the surgery was successful. The bullet was removed, but he's in a coma. The injury took its toll on his body and will need time to recover. It's now up to him to wake up. You may see him if you wish". Isabella looked up at me with sad heartbroken eyes. I nodded slowly at her and she followed the doctor into the room that James lay.

"Men, go home. Get some rest. You're all dismissed for the day". I could tell they were conflicted to leave especially after the events that had happened not even 10 hours ago. But thankfully they left one by one. I didn't want to talk to anyone or face them. I wanted to be left alone. I had lost the one person that healed my broken heart. I let her slip from my fingers after promising myself I'd never let anything hurt her. I resented myself for not chasing after her, but what was I to do.

Sighing harshly, I slumped down in one of the hospital chairs and rested my head against the wall occasionally banging it in frustration.

"Dean?".

A soft fragile voice sounded from the left end of the long corridor. My eyes flashed open to see Lucy dressed in a hospital gown with bandages showing on her exposed skin.

"Hey". Lucy walked slowly towards me nervously, she winced now and again as the pressure on her wounds increased with every step. My fists clenched tightly together seeing my baby sister in pain. I'd happily take all the pain she was enduring in a heartbeat. She was 11. She shouldn't be suffering like this. She should be at school studying, having sleepovers and dreaming out her future. Instead she's in hospital suffering physical and mental pain.

"How are you feeling?". Lucy sat down beside me and hung her head low.

"I'm fine. But mentally, I'm broken. They did some horrible things Dean. They beat me, taunted me and threatened me with disgusting things. But I don't care about that. They took her Dean. They took Rosie. I can't help but cry every time I think of what that jerk will do to her. Dean, she sacrificed herself to save me. Why do bad things happen to good people".

Lucy broke down beside me hiding her face and muffling her sobs with her hands. Instinctively I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into my side being careful not to touch any of her wounds.

"Rosie was brave. So so brave. I'll never forgive myself for letting her go". Lucy suddenly pulled away from me and stared at me with disgust. But as I was about to question her, a hand flew across my face setting off a sharp stinging pain across my cheek.

"What the hell Lucy?!".

"You're going to give up on her, just like that?".

"Lucy, I"-

"Get the hell away from me" she spat nastily recoiling herself away from me.

"No, it's not like that".

"Then what! What is it Dean. Rosie is probably going through hell right now and you're just going to go sit here and do shit all. If it was me you'd be ripping the world apart to find me. What happened to the fearsome Dean Gray? What happened to the man who promised to protect her? Why are you not out there doing everything to find her, save her, rescue her. If you love her like you said you do, then why are you sitting here acting as if it's over, because it's not. Get your act together and bring your girlfriend, my future sister in law home. Bring her home. If you won't do anything then don't expect me to back down. Because she saved my life. She saved OUR lives. You're a pathetic excuse of a brother".

My already broken heart completely shattered. I had never heard Lucy speaking with such anger and emotion, but she was right. Truthfully she was always right, although I'd never admitted it. Believe me I wanted to tear this miserable earth and find Rosie, but I was scared. What if I was too late. What if she hates me for not saving her. What if......

"Stop with the negative thoughts Dean".

I'm bloody losing my mind so much that I don't even realise I'm speaking aloud to myself.

"What if Rosie is in trouble? What if Rosie is crying and calling out to you for help. What if you get off your butt and do something. Maybe then you'll get her back. I know you swore to never kill another and get involved with the mafia, but some jackass stole your girlfriend, my future sister in law. So unleash the monster and get your girl back".

**************

The night sky was starless tonight, but still it looked extremely peaceful. Not a sound could be heard only expect for the gentle breeze.

I had lost all feeling within me. The first few days were the hardest. Uncontrollable tears, shattered breathing and of course the never ending nightmares. He forced me to sleep in the same bed as him from the very first night. I felt violated and disgusting, but he never touched me that way. But I was horrified to see him hugging my waist tightly when asleep.

So instead of sleeping, most nights I'd dream of Dean and wonder what he's doing. Is he thinking about me? Is he crying in turmoil and anger in his sleep? Has he moved on? Would he rescue me? I hoped he would, but the gut feeling was telling me otherwise. Why should he? He had his sister safe at last. Adam promised me that he would leave them alone so long as I said yes to marrying him. And that is what I intend to do. I don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me.

But a part of me wishes that Dean would come for me and whisk me away in his arms and never let me go. But that wasn't going to happen.

"I love you Dean".

*******************

1 day later

"Come on James. Wake up. Our children have been asking to see their daddy. What am I supposed to say to them?". I sobbed on his chest, my body shaking with tremors and sniffles. I hadn't left his side from the moment he first lay in this hospital bed. I talked to him, read to him, sang to him and did everything I could to help my love come back to me. The doctor said it was very possible that he could hear me.

"You listen to me James Richardson. You made a promise to never leave me. You said you'd come home and that is what you're going to do. You hear me".

"Oh I heard you alright". My eyes flew open and my head shot up off James' chest. There he was with his cheeky grin and his eyes fluttering open and close.

"J-James" tears poured out of my eyes as my lips connected onto James'. I mumbled hysterically against his lips pecking them ever so quickly and gently.

"H-hey, you know I'd never break a promise to you my love. I'd always come home to you". James wiped away my tears and kissed me lovingly, his lips were enough to tell me how much he missed me.

"I thought I had lost you James. I was so scared".

"I know baby and I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for scaring you. I was scared too. When he shot me all I could think about was you and the kids. The pain of losing you hurt me than the bullet inside me".

James gripped my hips tightly and pulled me carefully onto him.

"I-I love you so fucking much Isabella".

"I love you t"-

Before I could whisper it back to him, James crashed his lips onto mine claiming them with a ferocious passion that had my toes curling inside my shoes.

"Now, how would you feel about a quickie in the hospital bathroom".

"James". I smacked his chest playfully at his inappropriate behaviour. This man had just woken up from a coma and he was already after sex. I can't keep up with this man.

I can't stop loving this man. Ever.