Always Mine (Wounded Heroes: The Redemption #1)

Chapter 1

Annie Stefano sat in her sensible sedan in the parking lot, staring at Westwood Hospital. She’d buzzed down the windows of her car; she could hear the chirping of birds, but the cheery sound didn’t make her feel any better.

What the hell are you doing here?

She’d read online that Lt. Diego Rodriguez had been shot when his team was called to an incident in downtown Westwood. The news had…affected her. She’d refrained from coming to the hospital for two days, but this morning, a Saturday, she gave into the temptation.

You’re engaged.

Yeah, but Diego had been her high school and college sweetheart, even though they’d had a messy breakup, she still cared about him.

Chiding herself for her second thoughts, she exited the car into the warm April day, crossed the sunlit parking lot and entered the building. Newly remodeled, it now sported a big reception area/waiting room to the left. The sudden blast of cold from the air conditioning raised goosebumps on her bare arms as she crossed to the desk.

“I—” She had to clear her throat. “I’m here to see Diego Rodriguez.”

“Are you family?”

“I’m his fiancée.” Well, she almost was. At one time. But she knew the hospital policy would let in only relatives.

“Name?”

She gave it. “You’re in luck.” The woman’s smile was soft. “His family isn’t here yet.”

The thought of his big, boisterous Hispanic clan who she’d loved dearly made her miss them all over again.

Pasting the visitor’s pass on her chest, she took the elevator up to the ICU floor then headed to room 29. She stopped at the doorway.

The window was open letting in fresh air and the sunlight that streamed in through the slatted blinds. He lay in bed, propped up on pillows behind him and under his arm. A huge bandage covered his shoulder and down to his elbow. Some kind of ice pack was situated on his shoulder, a heavy sling keeping it in place. His eyes were closed, and his chest rose and fell rhythmically.

Tip-toeing into the room, she crossed to the side of the bed opposite his injury. And sighed. Up close, his swarthy complexion was pale and even in sleep, he frowned. The pain must be awful.

After a few moments, his eyes opened. “Annie? Oh, God. You’re here.”

He’d be on a narcotic, of course. Still, she didn’t expect such a warm tone and probably wouldn’t have gotten it if he wasn’t drugged. After she finished up at Penn State, she’d gone down south to teach and get away from him. In the four years since she came back to Westwood, she’d seen him around town. He often had some gorgeous woman on his arm. Or was with his buddies in a bar. Or out to dinner in a restaurant with his family. On a few occasions, they’d exchanged pleasantries like they were total strangers and not former soulmates.

“Annie?”

“I read about your injury and the whole horrible incident.” All of his task force members had been murdered in a gang bust gone bad. Diego was the only survivor. “I didn’t know if you’d want me here but…I couldn’t stay away.”

Reaching out with his right hand, he grasped hers. He moaned when he tugged on it. She dropped to the side of the mattress. His onyx eyes were blurry and bloodshot. “I do. I…still think…about you.”

Now that was news.

“I can’t keep my eyes open. Don’t go.”

“If you want me to stay, I will.”

“Stay.” His lids closed.

She stayed there next to him. Though the hospital had the usual antiseptic smell, this close Diego’s scent of soap and aftershave filled her head. He was a big man with a big heart. His hair was still dark but trimmed now for police regs.

They’d loved each other fiercely. She remembered how he’d come to Penn State to see her soccer matches…

“Hey,” he said when she saw him standing by the locker room one night after a game. She rushed over and threw her sweaty body into his arms. He kissed her quick and hard. When she drew back, she grinned. “I thought you had to work.”

“I got coverage. I’m glad I did. You scored two goals.”

She’d received a four-year scholarship to play on the women’s soccer team, though her GPA was nearly perfect, and she would have gotten into the college anyway. “Can you stay?” she asked, pulling away from his chest.

“Till tomorrow.” His dark eyebrows arched, and a lock of longish hair fell onto his forehead. “I rented a motel room.”

“Super. Let me go shower and change.”

“Just change. I don’t care if you’re sweaty.”

Once in the room, he shut the door and pressed her against it, hiked her up and kissed her. They made love twice that night and once in the morning…

She moaned out loud. What was she doing? For God’s sake, it had taken her years to totally forget this man. But eventually she came home, moved on to a new teaching job and dated again. Met a wonderful man. Planned to marry him.

Yet here she sat with the first guy who won her heart then broke it into pieces!

* * *

Diego dreamed…

Annie looked over at him from where she lay on the pillow next to him. “I can’t believe I’m graduating.”

“Magna cum laude.” He kissed her. “How did I snag somebody so smart?”

“You’re smart too. Street smart.”

“I’d better be. I can’t do my job without it.” He’d graduated from John Jay three years ahead of her. “What time are your parents coming?”

“They’ll be here around noon.” She checked her watch. “We should get going.”

“Hold on a sec.” He reached over to the nightstand in her room in an apartment she shared with two other girls. When he turned back, he held a maroon square velvet box in his hand.

Her blue eyes widened and she looked so cute with her hair curly from last night’s shower. “Diego…what did you do?”

He opened the box. Took out a ring. He’d spent too much money on it, but he’d pay it off in installments. “Annette Stefano, will you marry me?” He was grinning since he knew the answer.

Her face fell. “Um…”

His heartbeat sped up. “Um, what? We planned this.”

“Yeah, but not yet. Later.”

“Querida, we said when you graduated.”

“I’m not ready yet.”

“Is it the safety thing again?” He tried not to sound exasperated. “I’m always gonna be a cop. You’ll get used to it.”

“I’m sorry. This just makes my fear surface.”

“What are you saying, Annie?”

She looked down at the big diamond with sapphires on each side that matched her eyes. “It’s beautiful, honey, but…” She drew in a heavy breath and let it out. “Can’t we just wait a bit?”

Fuck. “What for?”

“I got that job at Remmington Prep waiting for me and I already rented my own place. I’ve never lived alone.”

She hadn’t told him any of that. “Why would you want to?”

“I don’t know, Diego. But I’m feeling pressured right now.”

Stung, and shockingly hurt, he sprung out of bed like the athlete he’d been, leaving the ring on the pillow. He stuffed his legs into his jeans. “Diego, don’t leave.”

He threw on his shirt and whirled on her. “Why? You said no, that I was pressuring you.” Which made him sick to his stomach.

“I didn’t say no.”

His left eyebrow arched. “Then tell me now. Yes or no.”

“I can’t say yes. Yet. All I want is time.”

“You know what, sweetheart? You can have all the time you want.”

He slid into his sneakers and walked out of the room.

He hadn’t gone to graduation that day. He’d refused her calls, visits, until they finally stopped…and eventually, she sent the ring back to him.

* * *

Annie watched Diego’s fitful sleep. He shook his head back and forth on the pillow. His good hand fisted. She thought about waking him when she heard, “ Dio mio, mi hija .”

She hadn’t gotten out of here in time.

Standing, forcing a smile on her face, she turned to see his mother and, ah, his three sisters in the doorway.

Angelica rushed to the bed. Took her in a bearhug. At sixty-five, she was still solidly built, sturdy and vibrant. “ Hija .”

The woman had started calling Annie daughter when she and Diego got serious.

“ Mama .”

“ Que bueno verte de nuevo .”

“It’s good to see you too.”

“ Mama ?” Diego spoke from the bed.

The woman turned to her son. “ Hijo .”

Annie stepped away and glanced across the room. All three girls were tall, dark-haired and eyes, just like Diego. Their features were more feminine. When she’d come back to Westwood, she bumped into them in town, or some social occasions, but they were estranged and each time, it was strained between them.

Sofia came over first. She’d loved Annie the most. “ Hola .” They hugged then Annie drew back. “You’re here? What a surprise.”

“To me too. I heard about his injury and came to check up on him.”

Sofia took her hand. “ Gracias .”

Over his sister’s shoulder, she saw another come toward her. Sara, the shy one, hugged Annie without saying anything.

But Elena stood like a statue by the entrance. Her eyes blazed with dislike. She’d never really accepted Annie. Annie had thought maybe she was jealous of the time Diego spent with her.

Mama turned. “Girls, come over here.”

When they flocked around their baby brother, Annie silently snuck out of the room. Outside, the sun blinded her, so she put on dark glasses. She blanked her mind until she got to the car. There, she put her head back on the seat.

How stupid to come to see him! Her heart was filled with love and loss and resentment and…a kernel of hope. But she couldn’t feel hope. Diego nearly destroyed her when he left her.

Her phone chimed into the quiet car. She had to clear her throat after she checked caller ID. Then, “Hi, Seth.”

“Hey. What are you doing today?” As teachers, they both had the weekends off.

“Errands.”

“Too many to have lunch with me?”

“I’m sorry yes. And I have schoolwork to do.”

“That’s okay. Is five still good for you tonight?”

“Yes. I’ll be over at five on the dot.”

“Hmm. I look forward to it.” Oh, God, his voice lowered to a sexy rumble.

She said, “See you then,” and clicked off.

The guilty silence intensified.

Pushing the cell down, Annie did errands, then went home and cleaned her small ranch house on the edge of Westwood. She’d done a lot of remodeling and now had it just like she wanted: a large redone kitchen with stainless steel and granite and lots of light. A living room decorated in pastels and a bedroom to match. A nice bathroom. A second bedroom.

Afterward, she showered, put on jasmine scented lotion, dressed and drove the short distance to Seth’s house. He bought the three-story home that he grew up in from his parents. He painted the place, made some repairs and got new furniture. He was happy as a clam.

The side door creaked as she opened it without knocking. “Seth?”

“I’m on the back porch. Come out.”

She went through the back door to the porch. It was warm out here but shaded from the sun. He refurbished the old rattan couches his parents had bought and put yellow and red print cushions on them. A table and chairs were off to the right.

He stood, came to her and kissed her cheek. “Hello, honey.”

“Hi.”

“Let’s sit.”

They took seats on the couch and he grasped her hand. It was safe and solid and always felt good. “Nice day?”

“Errands and cleaning. Not too exciting.”

A sweet half-grin. Seth was an attractive guy with sandy blond hair, light eyes and a fit body. They often went on runs together. “I’ll give you the name of my house cleaner.”

“No thanks. I prefer to do it myself.”

He smiled. Seth rarely argued with her. He was laid back and not comfortable with confrontation.

An argument she’d had with Diego in the past surfaced. You’re damn right I asked for that. You should do what you promised!

Hell!

Seth had made baked ham and sweet potatoes, broccoli and a green salad. Annie remembered the spicy enchiladas and casseroles Angelica taught Diego to make. Shit!

Forcefully, she banished him from her thoughts.

After dinner, as they cleaned up, Seth walked behind her and slid his arms around her waist. “Annie, are you okay?”

“Yes, of course.”

“You seem out of it.”

Oh, no. She didn’t mean to do that. “Sorry. I guess I’m tired.”

“We can make it an early night, if you want.”

She usually spent weekends here. She had clothes and toiletries upstairs. Turning to him, she nodded. “I think maybe I will. Would you mind if I went home after we finish here?”

His brows raised. “Oh, um, no, I guess. If that’s what you want.”

When they were finished in the kitchen, he walked her to the door. “Honey, I can tell something’s wrong.”

“I’m sorry, Seth. I overdid it today. I just need some sleep.” The excuse was paltry, but he wouldn’t call her on her vagueness.

He kissed her nose. “Don’t worry about it. Get some rest.”

“I’ll probably be better tomorrow.”

“I’ll pick you up at ten for church.”

“All right, good night.”

The air was warm still as he walked to her car and she got in. The heavy guilt returned. When she reached the bottom of the driveway, she hit the steering wheel with her fist. “Damn. Damn. Damn.” She couldn’t believe she let Diego into her life again.

Well, she’d get him out of it like she had the last time. By force of will. And it wouldn’t take years this time.

As soon as she got inside her house, she kicked her shoes off and went to the living room. Her cellphone chimed. It was probably Seth seeing if she made it home. But no, she didn’t recognize the number. She clicked into it.

Hey, Annie. Diego here. Thanks for coming to see me. I’ve gotta stay a few more days. Please come again, querida .

Querida . His special endearment. It meant dear, darling, precious, cherished. Though it was often used by Hispanics, he told her it had special meaning between them.

Oh, God!

* * *

Diego checked his phone. Still no text from Annie. She’d come to see him today when he was out of it. But tonight, he was clear headed. And hoping she’d text him back. Agree to see him again.

But why? Why on earth would he give in to seeing her again? Give her a chance to break him again? He’d be an idiot to let her back into his life.

He laid his head back on the pillow. Stared at the boring ceiling. Studied the room, crowded with machines and a chaise. He’d texted Annie because he was trying to block what had happened three nights ago. He’d lost everything. His shoulder hurt like a ball of fire, his job was probably toast, and his team, his Task Force were all dead. He couldn’t think about it. So he’d contacted her.

“Knock knock…”

Diego looked over to the door. Joe Romano. At ten at night? “Hey, buddy. Come on in.”

Joe strode inside to the foot of the bed.

“Thanks for saving my life.”

“The paramedics did that.”

“What are you doing here so late?”

“My team had a bad fire today.” His face was still blackened and he wore his turnout pants and suspenders. He smelled of smoke. “We came right to the hospital from it. Two of my firefighters got second degree burns. They’re being treated now.”

At least they’re alive.

“ Have a seat .”

Joe came around the bed. He was of average height, muscular and fit. His hair was dark brown and his eyes were the color of chestnuts. Women swooned over him. “I thought you’d be feeling bad. About the guys. I came to see if there’s anything I can do for you.”

“Nope. Can’t talk about it. Don’t want to.”

Joe stuck his hands in the pockets of his turnout pants. “I found out the hard way that’s not a good way to handle things.”

Diego remembered the incident. Joe had lost his twin brother Jimmy and the two little kids he was trying to save. “Yeah, I know you had a bad, bad time. I can’t even imagine what you went through.”

Joe’s eyes turned bleak. “That’s how I know stuffing it is the worst thing you could do.”

“Thanks buddy. But no. Not now.”

“When you’re ready, I’m here. Tell me how you’re feeling physically.”

“The docs said I was lucky. The bullet missed bone, arteries and nerves, but left some shrapnel so I needed surgery.”

Joe shuttered. “Ouch.”

“Yeah, well…”

“In pain, now?”

“Dull. Lots of meds.”

“Going home soon?”

“Day after tomorrow.”

Joe’s phone pinged. He took it out. “The guys are ready to go.” He put a hand on Diego’s good arm. Firefighters were touchers. “Like I said, if you ever want to talk, let me know. Meanwhile, I hope you heal quick.”

“Thanks for being concerned. But I’m okay.”

“Yeah, I thought I was too. Ciao .”

Diego leaned back feeling the emotions start to rise. Damn it, no. This wasn’t going to happen. He had to block what happened or he wouldn’t survive.

He was distracted by the ping on his phone. He picked it up. Now that was just what he needed.