Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 1162

Whitney felt like her brain had just exploded.

She barely had a second to process the news-her mind was filled with one thing: Ludwik was hurt. "Where is Ludwik now? Why would he risk his life and go after Bryce? Where is he?"

"He's being brought to my hospital right now. Just get here, head straight to the ER!" Shane's voice was rushed, and he hung up before she could ask more.

Whitney realized her phone was slick with cold sweat. Her mind was buzzing, her face had gone pale, and beads of sweat chilled her skin. She stood frozen for a second, then bolted out the door.

"Mom? What happened?" Sammy, still short and young, had only caught pieces of the hurried phone call.

Whitney clenched her fists, willing herself not to cry. She managed to keep her voice steady. "Your dad's been hurt. Sammy, I need you and your brother to stay with your little sister. Mom has to go see Dad, okay?"

"How did this happen...? Mom, go, just go!" Sammy looked terrified, but didn't want to slow her down.

Whitney rushed out of the house, heading for the emergency room. Her legs felt like they might give out, her whole body exhausted, but she couldn't stop one family crisis after another, and she couldn't seem to catch her breath.

did Bryce break out of

were Ludwik's injuries? Did he catch

burst into the ER entrance. She barely had time to wait before an ambulance screeched

Whitney ran to the gurney.

saw the stretcher, stained with blood, and her heart nearly

a large black bag, rectangular and thick-Whitney caught a glimpse and couldn't help but feel uneasy. It looked like the kind of body bag she'd seen in crime shows, the kind the

bag to the

adrenaline and fury. "Let me up, Parker! I need to finish him myself—I need

glanced worriedly at Whitney. "Whitney! He's out of his mind. Help me

"What happened to him?"

me go back! I almost had him-Bryce would be dead if you hadn't stopped me..." Ludwik's voice was hoarse with rage, his face paper-white from blood loss, barely able to

madness in his eyes, burning

his flailing hand. "Ludwik, what's going

is a worthless piece of trash, but you-Ludwik, you matter! You're not alone. You've

out there, that's the only way Bryce really