Rescuing Melissa (ALPHA TEAM: Guardian Hostage Rescue Specialists)

64. An Ending

SIXTY-FOUR

An Ending

MELISSA

The events following her rescue blurred in Melissa’s mind. All the women in Pierce’s dungeon were taken to Saint John’s Community Hospital, where they were examined, treated for their injuries, and met with specialists from a Victim’s Response Unit. While their physical wounds would heal with time, many of the psychological scars would likely persist for a lifetime.

The last time she’d been to this hospital, CJ carried her in his arms. He was with her this time, too, overprotective and refused to be separated during the ride in the back of the ambulance.

He greeted the doctor at the emergency department with some familiarity and asked about a dog. Melissa didn’t understand except the dog hadpulled through, and a baby and his mother weredoing well.

It was morning, and her knee had been wrapped in a brace. She had an MRI and an orthopedic visit scheduled in a week. There was concern about a tear of one of the ligaments, but it wasn’t anything that would keep her in the hospital. Fortunately, her injuries were limited to her knee. The same could not be said for the other women.

The woman Pierce had called Gretel went to surgery and was recovering in intensive care. All the other women were admitted to the general medicine ward, where they were being tended to by a team of psychiatrists and internal medicine physicians.

CJ stayed with her, refusing to leave after visiting hours ended. He spent the night by her side, holding her hand, and soothing her when nightmares brought her screaming awake. Her pulse went ballistic and triggered the alarms on the monitors, but he soothed her fears.

“How do you feel?” CJ pressed his lips against her forehead. He finger-combed her hair, straightening out the knotted mess.

“I’m so tired.” And scared. She was deathly afraid of going home, but where else could she go?

“Hey,” he said. “Don’t worry. We’ll sort everything out together.” The deep tone of his voice pulled her from her concerns.

Together?

“It’s just…” She felt incredibly lost, but free at the same time. As if that made any sense. With Scott’s death, a huge weight felt like it had been lifted from her shoulders. And she made a decision. She didn’t want to live in this town anymore. She definitely never wanted to go back to her house. Sell it, or burn it, she would never step foot back in the house where Scott killed his last victim. But where would she go?

“Shh,” he said. “Let me help.” He placed a finger over her lips.

She didn’t know how he could help. He had a life to get back to, and her life was a mess. They barely knew each other, although it felt as if she’d known him forever. They connected on a level she didn’t understand, but with everything that happened…

She didn’t want to think about letting him go.

The nurse came into the room, interrupting their conversation, and went over Melissa’s discharge instructions. CJ took the papers and tucked them into a pocket of his jacket.

“Do you have any questions?” the nurse asked.

“No, thank you for everything.” Melissa had spent too much time in hospitals and was ready to go.

“You have our number if any questions come up. You’re good to go, Miss Evans. You can leave at any time.”

Melissa took in a breath.

“You ready?” CJ asked.

Melissa adjusted the straps of her leg brace and grabbed the crutches she’d been provided.

“I’m more than ready, but if you don’t mind, I want to check in with Henrietta.”

She’d never forget Henrietta’s strength. They didn’t know each other but had bonded in that dungeon. Melissa needed to make sure Henrietta was going to be okay and wanted to make sure they had each other’s contact information.

CJ’s phone buzzed. Whatever he read on the text brought a smile to his face.

“I think that would be perfect,” he said. “There’s something I need to do. Do you mind if I slip away for a bit and meet you at her room?”

His consideration for her feelings astounded Melissa as if he understood she needed time with Henrietta alone.

“That would be great,” she said.

He hovered beside her while she worked her way down to Henrietta’s room. After a quick check with Henrietta, CJ excused himself.

Melissa gave Henrietta a hug. “Hey.”

Henrietta’s smile came slowly. “Hi.”

“Any idea when they’re going to let you go home?” She knew Henrietta had two girls waiting for her and couldn’t imagine the worry her new friend had for her daughters’ well-being.

“They have a few more tests, I think.”

“Did you talk with the psychologists yet?”

“I did. They’re coming back later, but I’m hoping I’ll be discharged tomorrow.” Henrietta clasped her hands and brought them to her chest.

“You’re going to be okay.” Melissa placed her hand over Henrietta’s.

“I know. My dreams…”

“They’ll fade with time.” Melissa understood about the nightmares.

A soft knock sounded on the door. CJ peeked his head inside.

“Mrs. Jones?”

“Yes?”

A broad smile filled his face and made him look even more devastatingly handsome. Oddly, the twinkle in his eyes wasn’t for Melissa, but for the woman lying in the hospital bed.

“I have a surprise.”

“Mr. CJ,” a small voice screeched. “I wanna see the surprise.”

Henrietta gasped, and her eyes teared up.

A little girl barreled into the room, and then she stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening with shock, and her mouth gaping wide.

“Mama!” The little girl launched herself at the bed and crawled on top of Henrietta.

“Anna!”

Another girl, a little older, poked her head around the door. Her eyes widened, and she tugged on the front of her shirt. “Mama?”

“Angela! Come here!” Henrietta gestured the girl forward.

Angela’s eyes watered. She closed the distance slowly and climbed into the bed beside her sister. The three of them hugged and kissed and cried. Melissa took a step toward the door, wanting to give them space.

“Come, let’s let them get reacquainted.” CJ’s arms wrapped around Melissa’s waist, and he whispered in her ear.

Melissa waved to Henrietta and gestured for her to call her later.

As they left the room, CJ swept her into his arms, scooping her crutches into his grasp.

“How about we make this official, Miss Melissa Evans?”

“Official?”

“How about a first date?”

“First date?” She laughed. “CJ, we’ve kind of moved past first date territory.” She’d never think about a shower the same way with CJ around. That clinical and traumatic event had turned into the most unforgettable experience of her life.

“I want a first date and take my girl out in style.” His eyes crinkled with mirth. Perhaps he’d been thinking about that night, too. “All this…” He made a vague gesture. “It’s not the way I like to woo a woman.”

“Woo me?” Melissa laughed. “Careful, you’re dangerously close to stepping back into the nun-zone.”

“Hey, I’m trying to be serious here.” By the look in his eyes, she knew that to be the truth. His stubble tickled her fingers as she traced the angle of his jaw.

“Well, you can start by apologizing.”

“Apologizing?”

“For calling me a drowned rat.”

“I’ll never apologize for that.” CJ threw his head back and roared with laughter.

“Well, then you’d better find a way to impress me.”

“How about we take a trip across the country? I’m thinking a few weeks to drive, take in the sights.”

“A cross-country trip as a first date? That’s a bit unconventional.”

“And yet, perfect. I want to show you my home, and someplace that’s a bit unconventional, but might be the perfect place for you to recover after all of this.”

“Recover?”

“Wrong word?”

“No, recover is the right word. I guess I thought…are you saying…do you want…” She couldn’t get her words out. Too afraid to voice what she wanted from him.

“Wow, that’s painful to listen to. Let me save you from tripping all over your words.”

“I wasn’t tripping over my words.”

“You totally were.” He tapped the tip of her nose. “Let me make this really easy. I’m not ready to let you go. I like you, like I like, like you, and I want you in my life if you’ll have me. But my life is with the Guardians, and we’re headquartered in Northern California, just below Monterey. I don’t know if anything is holding you here, but I’m hoping a little vacation away from here is something you’d consider. I’d also like to get to know you better, you know…without all the kidnapping stuff going on. I want time with just you alone with me. And I want to show you a place I think can really help you after all of this mess.”

“A place?”

“Yes, a place. We call it the Facility.”

“The Facility? Not a very original name.”

“Not really, but it’s amazing. It’s a place for the people we help to receive the services they need to recover. It also helps them develop the life skills they need to move on. It’s free, you can stay as long as you like. I’m literally right across the street. I mean, you can stay with me. I’d love it if you stayed with me, but I don’t want to put too much pressure on the living together thing, considering we haven’t officially had a first date yet.”

“Is that so?”

“I’m serious, Melissa. I want to get to know you better. By whatever twist of fate, you and I, we’re meant to be together.” A smile filled his face, and his eyes twinkled with mirth. “But not in a creepy psycho-killer kind of way.”

“Definitely not in a creepy psycho-killer kind of way.” She couldn’t help it. She laughed, and like magic, her laughter unloaded the miasma, which still clung to her after the ordeal with Pierce and Scott. “So, you’re asking me out on a first date, which is to drive across the country and shack up with you at the other end?”

He locked eyes with hers and dipped his head. His exhales washed over her, searing her skin with the heat of his desire. There was a tingle in her breath, and a hitch in her chest as her entire body became painfully aware of his presence.

His bulging biceps held her. His powerful shoulders supported her. Every inch of this wonderful man protected her. He was her hero. He rescued her from a deadly tornado and from the unimaginable evil of Pierce and her dead ex-husband. In CJ’s stare, he promised much more. He promised to give her his heart.

“Is that a yes, Miss Evans?”

“Yes.” She looped her arms around his neck. “Most definitely, yes.”

He seized her with a kiss. There was nothing tender as he claimed her with his possession. His desire for her, his bruising aggression, pushed past her fears, obliterating them in the grinding of their lips.

Fate twisted their lives together, and she wanted to find out what would happen next. It looked like CJ wanted that, too. And she couldn’t wait for their official first date to begin.

***

Can't get enough of CJ and Melissa's heartwarming journey? I understand. Their story has left a mark on my heart too.

I have a special treat just for you!

Imagine discovering a hidden chapter, a bonus scene, beautifully crafted and filled with moments that'll give you a deeper understanding of CJ and Melissa's unique connection. It's as if you've found a secret door leading to the heart of their world.

This isn't available anywhere else.

Ready to experience this thrilling bonus scene?

CLICK HERE and dive back into the captivating world of CJ and Melissa. The adventure awaits!

* * *

Craving more adventures with the unstoppable Guardians?

The next installment in the thrilling Guardian Hostage Rescue Specialists series is ready to sweep you off your feet!

This time, it's 'Rescuing Zoe,' and it promises more suspense, action, and edge-of-your-seat moments that will leave you gasping for breath.

We're about to dive into another life-or-death mission with the Guardians, those brave souls who face danger head-on for the ones they love. With every page turn, you'll be deeper into their world, feeling the adrenaline rush, sharing their victories, and standing with them through it all.

Experience the exhilaration, the tension, the romance - the entire roller coaster of emotions that come with being part of the Guardian Hostage Rescue Specialists team.

Are you ready to leap back into the action?

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR COPY of RESCUING ZOE.

Flip the page for a SNEAK peek!