Q looked away, hiding the torrent of memories. "He had ta-Taser. Amazing what a volt of el-electricity to the heart can do-to prolong things."
His grogginess evaporated as his hand suddenly shot between his legs. Relief slackened his face. "Thank God."
I pulled back. "What? What is it?"
Q shook his head, alertness battling back his weakness. "Nothing. I'm still in one piece. That's all." He sighed heavily, looking worn-out and barely conscious. His eyes narrowed. "Why is there blood on your cheek?"
Because it was my blood to take.
Franco appeared in the doorway, using the dreaded walking stick he'd scorned before. "Ambulance is on its way." Smiling at Q, he added, "You should've seen her, Mercer. Fucking scary as hell. But she killed him for you." Franco glared in my direction. His eyes blatantly vowing that what happened downstairs would remain between us.
I nodded, accepting his promise. I'd done what I needed to do. Q didn't need to know the details.
Q's face darkened, overshadowed with the strain of talking. "What?" He growl-croaked, "You killed Lynx? That's his blood on your face?"
I made him believe my lies and stole his life.
I nodded, fierce pride resonating in my heart. "He stole you from me. He had to die. And I had to be the one to do it." Taking his hand, I squeezed. "I know you'll understand, and I know you'll accept when I say it's done and I don't want to talk about it."
Q flinched, untangling his arm from the blanket. With a shaky hold, he cupped the back of my neck. I bowed over him, never looking away from his eyes. "What did you do, Tess? Please tell me you didn't undo my hard work." He stopped, sucking in a breath. His eyes were tight with agony. "Tell me you didn't ruin yourself by killing him for me. You didn't have to do that. I never wanted-"
"It won't happen." I knew his fears. He worried I'd relapse for hurting another like killing Blonde Hummingbird. But I wouldn't because I'd done the right thing. I was happy. I accepted my brutality and would gladly live with the knowledge I wasn't pure anymore. I was never pure. And if I went to hell for saving the man I loved-then that was the final debt I would pay.
I kissed him softly. "Taking his life granted me power. I'm not afraid anymore. I'm in control of my fate, and I give it to you wholeheartedly." My stomach clenched, remembering his letter. "But if you ever leave me a note again, after planning your death and telling me nothing of the dangers you're in, I'll kill you, too."
Q leaned back on the cushion, his energy rapidly fading. "I did that to protect you."
"Well-I want to protect you in return." My heart lurched realizing just how vulnerable we all were. How quickly life passed-how much I wanted to live it. "Marry me, Q. Now. I don't care where or how."
Q's fingers added pressure to the base of my skull, bringing me down to kiss him. His lips moved against mine in a dance belonging completely to us. His tongue entered sweetly, seductively. He didn't kiss with misery or happiness or lust.
He kissed me with reverence. Thankfulness.
When we broke apart, he murmured, "Je t'ai déjà épousée dans mon cœur, Tess. Au moment où j'ai posé les yeux sur toi, tu étais à moi pour toujours, mon amour." I've already married you in my heart, Tess. The moment I set eyes on you, you were mine forever.
Looking over my head, he said to Franco, "Call Suzette. Find out where she organised the wedding."
"Wait-Suzette?"
Q smiled, reopening the small cut on his lower lip. "We're getting married tomorrow. Suzette's been arranging it." His last reservoir of strength petered out, leaving him pale and breathing hard.
Franco towered over us, two injured warriors together. "I'll call her, and I'll do anything else that needs to be done-but you-you're going to the hospital."
Q opened his lips to argue but winced as Franco deliberately patted his sliced up legs beneath the blanket. "Hospital, Mercer. Then wedding. Don't make me kick your ass."
A tense moment existed before Q nodded. "I think that ass kicking can wait, don't you?" His gaze fell to Franco's missing thumb. A rosebud of blood decorated the bandage where his digit used to be. Q frowned, taking in the sling and Franco's cane. "Thank you for coming."
Franco shrugged. "Couldn't be late to this party. Look how much fun you were having."
I cringed at the morbid humour, but Q smiled. "The fun I could've done without-but I'm grateful to you, Franco." His eyes fell on me. "And forever in your debt, Tess. You should never have had to do that on my behalf. I'm sorry."