Relentless

Chapter 60

Ashton

I feel whole yet broken at the same time.

I have the love of my life in my arms, trying to sleep. Yet we are in a hospital room and I'm in agonizing pain.

If I told her I was in pain then she would've never let me hold her.

I keep my head rested on her's but keep my eyes open slightly. I don't want to go back to sleep. I'm tired as hell, but I'm not going back to sleep.

Three months is enough time to rest.

Three months is too long to be away from Juliet.

Every now and then she whispers my name and I remind her that I'm here. When she told me that she had nightmares and woke up screaming for me, I felt so much guilt. I should've been there to hold her. When I opened my eyes to see her, she looked so broken but was acting like she was whole. Then she broke down.

I blinked and she started crying.

She was asking why I did what I did.

Why I didn't let them kill her.

If she died, I would die.

I was not going to let them hurt her. Number one, it's my job to protect people, but it was never a job with her. Number two, I'm in love with her.

"Ashton?" I hear her whisper in a groggy voice.

"Yes, baby?" I ask.

"I'm sorry."

"Shh it's okay." I tell her. I feel her snuggle into me more and fight back the pain. I'm about to close my eyes, but the sound of the door opening stops me.

"Ma'am, you have to leave." A nurse tells Juliet. Her head pops up as she looks to the nurse.

"What? Why?" She asks.

"The doctor has to examine the patient."

"Why can't she stay with me?" I ask.

"Hospital policy. Plus, she shouldn't be that close to you right now. Close contact like that to your wounds could cause serious damage."

"She's not doing any damage..."

"Ashton, she's right." Juliet interrupts me. "I should go."

"No, you should stay."

"I have an interview in New York that Josh pushed back to six o'clock anyway. If I don't leave now I'll never get there in time."

"Juliet,"

"I don't want to hurt you anymore than I already have."

"You're not. Please, I just got you back."

"I know, Ashton."

"I can't lose you again."

"You're not. I have concerts and interviews coming up and I can't miss them. I'm sorry." She says, kissing my cheek and standing up. I hear her heels hit the floor and feel my heart sink.

She's leaving.

Do something, idiot!

With all of my might, I prop myself up with my elbows and try to swing my legs over my hospital bed.

"Mr. McAllister!" The nurse yells, causing Juliet to look at me.

"Ashton!" She yells, moving closer to me and placing her hands on my shoulders, slowly pushing me down. It hurts like hell to move a single muscle and I hate it. I hate not being able to stop her from leaving. "Are you crazy?"

"I need you." I whisper in pain as I lay my head on the pillow.

"Asht... I know. I need you too. But I..." I see her bite her lower lip and her head drops.

"I love you, Juliet." I croak out.

"And I love you." She says, looking at me with tears in her eyes. "But there is nothing that I can do. If I don't go then the press will know that something is up and will start questioning everyone and then they'll come here and I can't have that. I have to go."

"Ms. Summers." We both look to the door and see a man in a white lab coat. "It's time for you to go." She looks back at me and I look at her. Quickly, she leans down and kisses me. I try to kiss her back, but it's so hard. She let's go and I feel one of her tears fall on my cheek. I open my eyes and see her's shut tightly. "Ms. Summers." The doctor repeats. With one swift motion, she turns to the door and walks out of my room at a rapid pace. She didn't bother to open her eyes. The doctor closes the door once Juliet leaves and turns to me with a clipboard in his hand.

"Asshole." I mutter under my breath.

"Excuse me?" The doctor asks, his head popping up from his stupid clipboard.

"I called you an asshole." I repeat, giving him a nasty glare.

"You're being very disrespectful."

"And you're an asshole."

Extremely short chapter! Sorry!