Embracing Juliette (Texas Heroes: Station 9 #1)

Chapter 49

49

Dylan

“ G o wait for Driftwood and Juliette in the lobby. Make sure she doesn’t bolt.”

“It’ll be okay, man, she’ll come to her senses,” Liam said.

I wasn’t taking any chances. “Walk up with them, then stay outside the room in case she leaves again. And text everyone else. Tell them we have her but to give us time before coming back. And tell everyone I said thank you.”

Liam and Ryan left with nods and sympathetic looks.

I elevated the head of the bed so I was sitting up, and I had a cup of water ready on the bedside table. My oxygen mask was on, but I’d take it off when I heard them coming. There was nothing else I could do to make this easier for Juliette.

I convinced my family to go home as soon as I got Driftwood’s text. I trusted the guys to give us privacy but to be ready in case Juliette walked out again. I couldn’t make her stay, but this time I could make sure she was taken care of. My heart hurt thinking about what she’d been through. The only small solace was that in the hours she’d been gone, I’d gotten stronger, so she didn’t have to see me at my worst.

Finally, I heard footsteps pause at the door, and it slowly creaked open. I shut the oxygen machine down and pulled my mask off, but kept it close.

“Juls? Come here, baby.”

Oh, fuck. She looked like hell. She took a step in but held onto the doorknob like there was a good chance she’d turn and run. Or maybe she was afraid she’d fall over without it. It looked like a good possibility. She was a mess. Her whole face was red and puffy. Her pants were ripped, her knees scraped. She looked like a warrior, victorious but beaten. It was clear she’d fallen, probably more than once. Even worse than all that? She was trembling head to toe.

“Juls, baby,” I breathed, my voice cracking. I put my hand out, reaching for my girl.

I watched her take a deep breath, and like the fighter she was, she straightened up and took the first limping step towards me.

“Strong as fuck, baby.”

With a sob, she ran the last few feet. She ignored my outstretched hand and crumbled onto the edge of the bed. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” she repeated over and over through her anguish, her whole body racking with the force of her cries. “Are you okay? I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”

“Shh, baby, I’m okay. It’s all okay,” I murmured, trying to sound soothing, trying not to let the overwhelming guilt and fear seep into my words or touch. I rubbed her back and smoothed my hand over her soft curls, murmuring promises that it was all okay. I don’t know how much time passed before her sobs finally eased into whimpers and sniffles.

“Stand up a second, baby. Let me make room for you next to me.”

“No! Don’t move, I don’t want to hurt you.”

“My heart hurts the most. I need you to lay with me. Please?” It was the absolute truth. I needed Juliette in my arms. I needed the reassurance that she was okay just as much as she needed to know that I was okay. And us. Fuck, I needed to know that we were good.

Guilt and worry flashed in Juliette’s eyes, but she nodded and stood.

I moved over in the bed, and she climbed in, careful not to bump or jostle me. She turned to her side, facing me, but not touching me.

“Come here, baby.”

She stared at me with scared, tear-filled eyes.

“Please, baby. I know how bad this has been, and I’m so, so sorry for putting you through it all. Can we just hold each other for now, and later we can talk?”

Juliette hesitated, then ever so carefully inched closer, touching her leg to my good leg and gliding her hand gently over my ribs. “Is this okay?” she whispered.

“Perfect. I feel better now.”

I rubbed circles on her back and felt her start to relax. I hoped she’d fall asleep with me, but I needed to see to her injuries first. I whistled quietly and Liam poked his head in. “Antiseptic, bandages, and ice,” I requested.

He nodded and disappeared, then reentered a few minutes later with an ice pack, antiseptic wipes, an assortment of bandages, and a washcloth that he made warm and soapy at the sink before giving it to me. “Need help?”

“I got it.”

He gave a chin lift and left us alone.

“Let me see, Juls.”

She placed her hand in mine, and one at a time, I washed them as gently as I could, then she bent her knees up for me to do the same. I put bandages on her knees, but the scrapes on her palms were too big to cover easily. I pulled her shirt down at the neck and gently ran a finger over the cuts on her neck and chest. They looked the same, thank God. I touched a finger to the cut on her lips. That looked okay too.

I tried to get her to put the ice on her ankle, but she refused. She appeased me by propping a pillow under her foot, at least. She assured me that was all she needed, and even though I didn’t believe her, I let it go. I’d look her over more carefully in the morning. I was just grateful she let me care for her this much, and that she was back with me where she belonged.

“I love you, Juliette.”

“I love you too, Dylan. I love you so much.”

I put my oxygen mask back on and with Juliette in my arms, I fell asleep breathing easier than I had since this whole nightmare began.

That peace lasted a few wonderful hours before I woke up alone.