"Sir, your ribs, the concussion..." Fred started, trying to catch Max's arm as he stumbled toward the black SUV.
"I don't care if my lungs collapse, Fred! If she gets to that hospital and I'm not in that bed, she'll think I lied again," Max hissed, his voice strained. "She's already looking at me like I'm a stranger. If she finds out I was out, I'm not in the hospital. I'll lose her forever."
As the SUV screeched out of the warehouse district, Max leaned his head back against the seat, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He looked at his bruised knuckles. All he could think about was the fire in Ruby's eyes when she called him Mr. Byron.
"Drive faster," Max commanded, clutching his side. "And tell the hospital staff to get an IV back in my arm the second I hit the mattress."
Ruby is only minutes away from the hospital.
