A low murmur of what sounds like a TV starts to pull at me, rousing me from sleep.

“Alba, I’m heading down the hall to grab a coffee. I’ll be right back. You want anything?” I hear Logan’s hoarse voice say.

“No thank you, Logan,” Alba tells him.

I feel pressure on my lips the moment Logan presses his to mine, then hear booted footsteps as he walks away.

I struggle to pry my eyes open, and a bright flash of light breaks through. I feel like I did when I experienced my first hangover in high school. The brightness hurts at first, but I keep forcing them to open more. My vision is blurry, like looking through a fogged-up window in the winter time, so I blink slowly a couple of times. It feels like the inside of my eyelids are lined with sandpaper, but soon I’m able to bring everything into focus.

Every muscle in my neck feels stiff as I turn my head and see my sister curled up next to me, her nose in her Kindle. I reach my hand out, or at least try to. Peering down at my hand, I notice the IV line, which explains the slight tug I felt when I tried to move.

Without warning, flashes of images flood my memory. The BBQ. Running after my sister. Her and I being taken by Los Demonios. Jorge cutting me...repeatedly. Logan saving me. It all crashes into me. Wave after wave of flashbacks. The last thing I remember was Logan telling me Alba was safe. I can’t recall anything else after that.

When I try to lift my hand again, I hear a gasp. I look back up to find my sister staring at me.

“Oh my God! Bella?”

Her Kindle falls to the floor as she turns, putting her head in my lap, and begins to sob. I reach my hand up and softly stroke her hair. My emotions getting the better of me as well. My sister is everything to me. I can’t begin to describe the relief I feel knowing she’s okay.

“It’s okay, Alba,” I croak out. My voice sounding uneven and raw.

I continue to stroke her hair, trying to calm her down as I do my best to compose myself.

I glance around at my surroundings, taking everything in. The hospital room I’m in is big. The walls aren’t the normally cold, sterile white. They’re a soft blue. The light shining through the big window hurts my eyes still but it’s much bearable than before. Flowers and balloons line the window seal.

I turn my head to look to the other side of the room and the door opens with Logan stepping in, holding a cup of coffee. My breathing falters the moment our eyes meet. I give him an unsure smile.

“Bella,” his husky voice croaks out. He sounds every bit as emotional as I am now, but he is hiding most of it well as he takes a few strides before stopping right beside me. Placing the coffee on the table, Logan grabs my empty hand and places it over his heart. Using his other hand, he brushes the tears from under my eyes.

He rests his forehead on mine. Both of us feeling the weight of everything. I really thought I would never get the chance to see him again, have his arms hold me, feel his lips against mine one more time, yet here we are.

“I love you,” I whisper in his ear as he pulls me close.

“I love you,” he rasps with so much emotion his voice betrays him.

My sister lifts her head from my lap and Logan moves to the side, letting her lean forward to give me a light hug.

“I’m going to go clean my face in the bathroom. When I come out, I’ll go ask the nurse for some warm tea with honey. It should help your throat.” She smiles warmly at me while wiping her eyes with the back of her hands.

“Bella,” she turns back around just as she opens the bathroom door, “I love you.”

Crying all over again, I tell her the same before she closes the door.

Reaching down Logan pushes a button and tells the nurse that I’m awake. Before I have time to catch another breath a young woman with black hair, I’m assuming is the doctor, and a couple of nurses in pink scrubs come walking in after a brief knock on the door.

The doctor walks up and begins checking all the monitors they have hooked up to me before speaking, “Well, Bella. I’m happy to see you’re finally awake. I’m Dr. Evans, I’ve been treating you since you arrived a few days ago.” she says, holding a clipboard against her chest.

“How many days have I been here? How long have I been out of it? Where’s Sofia?” I question her with a hoarse voice.

Dr. Evans smiles warmly at me. “Sofia was admitted and is doing great. She has a broken arm, along with some bumps and bruises, but she is going to make a full recovery.”

I relax a bit and close my eyes, while letting out a sigh of relief.

“You’ve been here and under my care for three days. If you’re up to it, I want to go over everything with you. I want to make sure you understand what your body has been through and your recovery process.”

I feel Logan stiffen at my side. “Do we need to do this now doc? Can’t it wait? She just woke up.” He huffs out, sounding irritated.

The bathroom door opens and my sister walks back into the room. I hate being the center of attention and right now, everyone’s eyes are on me. I’m starting to feel very uncomfortable. I want to get the prodding over with. I remember everything I went through prior to being brought to the hospital, but nothing more up until now. I don’t want people to look at me differently, like they are right now.

Pulling up a chair by my bed side, the doctor sits, crossing her legs while folding her hands in her lap.

“Everyone in this room knows that you went through a horrible ordeal, Bella. I’m sure you remember everything, so I won’t repeat it.”

I close my eyes. How can I forget? Logan has my hand in his and my sister is now holding my other hand, both giving me the support I need as the doctor continues.

“You lost a lot of blood, and your heart stopped not long after you were brought to us. We had to give you more than one transfusion during surgery. You have Type O negative blood and being O negative, you can only receive the same. We didn’t have much of that in supply. Thankfully, one of your friends was O negative as well and donated.”

I look to Logan for clarification on who helped save my life.

“Quinn donated, Angel,” Logan says.

I feel very overwhelmed, but I’m pretty sure from the look on her face she’s not done telling me everything. “Could I get something to drink? My throat is so dry.” I ask.

Alba leaves my side to get the hot tea she mentioned a few moments ago. My mind is running a mile a minute. My heart stopped beating? Did I die?

“We called in one of the best plastic surgeons in the area to take care of the lacerations you received. The worst ones were on your ribcage. I assure you that the scarring will fade in time. I repaired the damage to your femoral artery as well. That’s where most of your blood loss came from.”

Scars. I’m left with permanent marks on my body from that monster. Alba walks back in with my tea and hands it to me. I sip on it slowly and the warmth instantly soothes the scratchiness in the back of my throat. I’m also very tired. I’ve slept for three days and I already need another nap. That’s insane.

“I can see you’re tired. That is just your body’s way of healing, but before you sleep, I want to change your bandages and get you to eat something light. Okay?” Dr. Evans informs me.

I cut my eyes at Logan. Instantly I have anxiety about him seeing me. I don’t understand my hesitation myself. Why would I suddenly feel this way? He’s seen my body several times. All I know is, right now, in this moment, I want nothing more than to hide myself from him.

“Babe, what’s wrong?” Logan inquires.

I hate to tell him to leave while they tend to me, but I can’t handle him seeing me this way right now. I know what I’m about to say will not go over well.

“Logan. Would you please step outside while they change the bandages?”

He’s taken aback by my request. Hurt and anger appear on his face, just before he masks it. “I’ll be downstairs, having a smoke and calling the guys.” He stands up and bends down, pressing his lips softly to mine. “I love you.”

“I love you,” I tell him before he walks out the door.

Turning back to the doctor I ask her, “When can I shower?”

“With help, you can take one first thing in the morning. Now, let’s change those bandages. I’ll warn you, it’s going to hurt. The gauze will be stuck to the stitches. I’ll be as careful as possible.”

I lay still in the bed as they carefully set me up and remove my hospital gown. The pull of the skin on my side hits me instantly. I grit my teeth and push through it.

The gauze is wrapped around my torso and the nurses who accompanied Dr. Evans earlier start to carefully unwrap it. The doctor takes over, carefully pulling the tape off my skin. It feels like the skin’s going with it. When she gets to the bandage that covers the larger area and starts peeling it away, I can’t help but flinch.

“It looks good. No signs of infection. Don’t be afraid to move. It will hurt, but movement will help the skin stay loose. We don’t want it to become tight. Physical therapy can help with that.”

Not being able to bring myself to look down at it, I keep my eyes focused on my sister.

I’m pulling strength from her right now. It shouldn’t be that way. The big sister needing her baby sister to take care of her. I don’t know how to let that sink in. Right now though, it feels like the most natural thing to do.

The nurses help me into a new gown before leaving and Dr. Evans asks if I feel like I need anything for pain. Truthfully, I hurt. I ache all over but I only ask for a mild pain reliever. I don’t like taking medicine if I don’t have to.

Finally settled, I sip some more on my tea. The whole time my sister has been sitting right next to me. Quiet.

“Alba, are you okay? Did they hurt you in any way?” I’ve been needing to ask her this question since I first woke up. The thought of her going through anything makes me shiver.

“They manhandled me, told me what awful things they wanted to do to me, but they didn’t do anything else.” She grabs my hand and holds it in hers. “Promise,” she whispers.

I hear a knock at the door and Logan’s voice asking, “Angel, are you dressed? I brought visitors.”

I’m a mess and he brings visitors? I look over at Alba and she sees the worried look on my face. “I’m sure I look hideous,” I tell her.

“Do you want me to make them leave. I’ll do it. It’s probably the guys, but if you want them gone just say so.”

She makes me laugh. I know she means every word she says, but I’m not used to her being so boisterous. The laugh hurts like hell but feels good at the same time.

“I think we can spare them your wrath for now.” I smile at her.

“Come in,” I try and call out but my voice comes out as a little squeak.

The door slides open, and in walks Logan, followed by Gabriel, Quinn, Reid, and Jake. All have big smiles on their faces.

“The guys just needed to put eyes on you, Angel. Soon as I told them you were awake they showed up.”

Walking over he takes the seat he was in before, right by my side. One by one, the guys come over and kiss my forehead.

I grabbed Logan’s hand. I’m overwhelmed with emotions. I’m scared, happy—but mostly grateful. Every man standing in front of me helped save my life and my sister’s. I have no idea how to thank them or repay anyone for what they did for us.

With tears threatening to spill and a shaky voice I try my best to say something anyway.

“Umm, I want to say thank you, for everything, but I feel it’s not enough guys. What you all did for my sister and me—” I can’t even finish. My lips tremble. What I was trying to hold in breaks free, and I bury my face in my hands.

“Angel, don’t cry. I told you. You belong to me and that makes you family. There isn’t a damn thing we wouldn’t do for you or your sister.”

I try my best to wipe my face dry with the bed sheet before peering up at everyone. I see nothing but pure love and devotion on every one of their faces.

A nurse walks in with a tray and sets it down in front of me. I’m not hungry. From the looks of it, it’s just some simple chicken broth and a pack of crackers, so maybe sipping on the broth won’t be so bad.

The guys don’t stay long. They say their goodbyes and leave.

I insisted Alba leave and get a good night’s rest in a decent bed instead of cramming herself into the one I’m lying in right now. She finally relented. Only because Gabriel promised to have her up here early tomorrow morning.

Yawning, I push the button on the bed to let the head down. Logan decides to climb in beside me once I’ve gotten myself comfortable.

His tall frame barely fits with his feet hanging over the end of the bed frame. I let him hold me. I snuggle into his warmth, calming the storm brewing inside. I’ve put a brave face on all day. No one realizing that I felt uneasy. Then again, maybe they did and I’m just fooling myself. I can’t get the image of Jorge out of my mind. I don’t even have to close my eyes and he’s there. I can still hear his sadistic voice ringing in my ears.

As if knowing he needs to drown out the noises in my head, Logan puts his lips next my ear whispering in his deep raspy voice, “I’ve got you, beautiful. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

That’s exactly what I needed to hear. My pulse steadies, my body relaxes and my eyelids slowly close.

* * *

The next morning, I wake up to the smell of cinnamon rolls and coffee. I sit up in bed, watching Logan place a roll on a little cafeteria plate sitting it in front of me before dumping several packs of creamer and sugar into my coffee and stirring it up.

“Morning, Angel.”

“Morning,” I say, while rubbing my eyes.

We sit and eat quietly, up until my sister comes bursting through the door holding a shopping bag.

“Went shopping last night. I got you some comfy clothes to put on. I figured you’d like to get out of that hospital gown once you took a shower this morning. I picked up some of your favorite hair shampoos and body lotion,” she beams.

My sister seems to be in a good mood this morning.

“I can’t wait to get a shower. I feel so gross.”

I slowly swing my legs over the side of the bed and sit upright on the edge. I grab onto the side rail because I feel a little lightheaded.

Logan helps me to my feet. “You wanna take a shower now, babe? Just let me get the nurse to bring in some fresh bandages and I’ll help you,” he says.

“Logan, would you mind if my sister helps me shower?” I ask him hesitantly.

I can tell he wants to argue, but doesn’t. He sits back down in his chair and pulls out his phone. My sister walks over and helps me to the bathroom. I look over my shoulder to peer at Logan and he’s watching my every move with hurt written on his face. My heart sinks to my stomach.

Alba turns on the shower as I slowly start to undress.

“I brought your iPad. I know you like to listen to music in the shower,” she softly tells me.

“Thank you.”

I pull up my playlist so I can hit random play before stepping into the shower. Hesitantly I let Alba help me unwrap the gauze, then gently peel the bandage off my side. I don’t look down and I can’t look in a mirror because the only one in the bathroom is above the sink.

Hating myself for putting her in this situation, I carefully gage her reaction. She tries to mask her emotions, but she quickly falters. Silently, tears run down her face. My own tears spill, cascading down my cheeks, making me feel pathetic and small. We both stay silent as my sister helps me into the stall. I press play and stand under the spray of the water.

Music fills the room.

My heart is pounding and fresh tears wash down the drain when Christina Perri’s ‘Arms’ is the next song to play. The emotions that I’m feeling when this one line repeats throughout the song has my emotions spilling over—‘You put your arms around me and I’m home.’

I couldn’t be certain, but I almost thought I heard my sister’s sobs mixed in with the words of the song. I just stand there under the hot stream of water, trying try to make sense of all the mixed-up emotions I’m feeling. Trying to wash away my pain.