LIFE BEFORE DAMAGED VOL. 10 (THE FERRO FAMILY) Read Online Free PDF

shivering. I know what that means, what’s happening. The fight within me screams for me to get help, but I already know it’s too late. Her breath comes in gurgled spurts as tears streak her cheeks.
    Sitting down, I gently lower her onto my lap and cradle her in my arms. I open up her coat to see if I can stop the bleeding. The wound is deep and too much blood is flowing out of her too fast. I close her coat to try and keep her warm and try to apply pressure to stop the bleeding.
    My bloodstained hands leave red trails everywhere I touch her. I feel so goddamned helpless! All the money in the world, all the strength in this body, all the power my name commands and I still can’t fix this.
    I scream for help, and most bystanders pretend not to see us, while others pause to take pictures. A few good people pull out their cell phones and call 911. They stay close by, offering their help. One man even takes off his coat and places it over Gina to keep her warm.
    I push her hair out of her face, and leave a trail of crimson on her pale skin. "Stay with me, Gina. Help will be here soon. You can do this. Hold on for me, please."
    A trembling hand touches my cheek, and I lean into the touch. I place my hand over hers and close my eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath before looking down. Her delicate pale face is solemn, and her soft voice sounds choppy with gasps between her words.
    “Stay strong for me, okay? Don’t leave me.” She takes in a sharp breath, like a gasp, and I can see the pain etched on her face.
    My fists clench, wanting someone to pay for this. But someone did pay, someone still lying on the ground a couple of feet away from us, barely alive. It’s not enough. His miserable life is not enough for what they’ve done to her. Strangers still huddle close by, some tending to the man on the ground, some on the phone with 911, updating them on the situation. It's all a blur around me.
    “You'll be all right. Please. Stay with me.” I try to comfort her and get her to save her strength, but my girl is stubborn. She never listens. In between rapid, short breaths she tries to talk, her teeth chattering.
    “N-n-no. Listen.” Against the pain, she manages a proud smile. “I did it, Pete. I lived boldly. I loved p-passionately. I made my life my own. I even proved you wrong.” She takes in another painful gasp, her face scrunching up in agony, but her weak smile quickly comes back and she places a trembling bloody finger to my lips. “Peter Ferro, in love. You know what? It’s the most b-b-beautiful thing I've ever seen. I wish we had more time.”
    I grasp her finger and bring her hand back down. “Stay with me. I can’t do this without you. I need you. Hold on, baby.” I’m half talking, half yelling. My throat feels tight. I pull at the collar of my shirt, and a button goes flying. I can’t breathe.
    She shakes her head and licks her pale lips, her breathing sounds worse—too shallow, too weak. I’m losing her. I notice drops of water falling on her face, only it's not raining. I realize tears are running down my cheeks and wipe them away.
    "You're not going anywhere without me, Gina. We're getting married. Stay with me, baby. Help is coming. I can hear the sirens. You’ll be okay. You have to be. You're going to be my wife. I can’t do this alone.”
    “You’re not alone. You'll never be alone.” Her eyelids seem too heavy to hold open, blinking in slow motion as her gaze becomes more vacant.
    The lump in my throat makes my words stick, and losing her hurts so goddamned much, so I nod, sniffling. She places her cold, trembling hand on my chest, and I quickly cover it with mine, holding her as close to me as I can. Her face is ghost white, and her lips are turning blue. She looks like an angel, and the sight sends a cold chill down my spine. She has to live.
    “Pete, your heart is who you are. Don't lock it up again.” Her words sound choppy, coming out in between rapid breaths. She closes