Chapter 35
CHAPTER 35
P eople moved around him. Deputies. Paramedics. But Jesse’s entire focus remained on Aspen perched on the edge of the ambulance.
Twice he’d almost lost her, in just over a week. Twice he’d had to relearn how to breathe after seeing her gripped in the hands of evil. It was two times too many.
This entire time, Margot’s killer had been sitting right outside his office. He couldn’t wrap his head around it because it didn’t feel real.
He should have known it was Bea. He should have worked it out. Why didn’t he see it?
“Stop it.”
He looked down at Aspen, her soft words breaking into his internal battle. His gaze zoned in on the small burn marks on her neck. She said she was fine. He was the one who wasn’t fine. He was the one who needed every inch of the woman he loved checked by the paramedic.
“Stop what?” he finally asked.
“You know what. You’re spinning everything around in your head to make it your fault. You’re blaming yourself when her actions were her own.”
“Her desk was right outside my office.”
“It was.”
“She killed one of my deputies and aided in your kidnapping.”
“She did.”
“And I didn’t know.”
“No one knew.”
He shook his head. “ I should have known. I’m the sheriff of this town. It’s my job to keep everyone safe, especially you.”
She stood and cupped her cheeks. “Stop holding yourself to impossible standards. We had no reason to think Margot’s murderer wasn’t Dylan. Bea knew that. She set it up that way because she was smart. But she didn’t win.”
“You never should have had a weapon put to your head.”
“But I’m okay.”
He frowned and looked behind her. “Where’d the paramedic go?”
“He took one look at my burns and told me I was fine, just like I knew he would.”
He had? Jesse had been so deep in his own head, he’d missed it. He looked up to see Luke moving toward them, a deep frown between his brows.
Aspen gave him a little push. “Go. I’ll be fine.”
“I’m not leaving you.”
“I’ll stay with her,” Claudia said, stopping in front of them.
“See?” Aspen said softly. “I’m looked after.”
His jaw clenched before he leaned down and kissed her temple. “I’ll be right back.”
“Take all the time you need.”
He blew out a breath before straightening and crossing the parking lot toward Luke.
“Paperwork’s done, and she’s in a holding cell,” Luke said quietly before Jesse had even stopped walking.
“Good. Are you okay?”
Luke shook his head, his gaze moving around the parking lot. “It’s my fault. I should have been more honest with her about my intentions.”
“Luke—”
“I slept with her, and I told her I loved her when I didn’t. I knew she had feelings for me. She’d had feelings for me for years.”
Yeah, that had been stupid, but… “You couldn’t have predicted she’d do this.”
He frowned. “She killed Margot.”
“She did.”
“It will take me a while to process.”
He gripped his friend’s shoulder. “If you need time off, it’s yours.”
Luke nodded almost absently. When he looked back at Jesse, there was resolve in his eyes. “I don’t know if this needs to be said, but I was happy when you became sheriff. I never wanted the position, and I knew you’d be great.”
“I know.”
“Good.” Luke’s gaze shifted over Jesse’s shoulder. “Is Aspen okay?”
“She’s strong.” So much stronger than him. “I’m going to get her home.”
“I’m gonna stay, pull a double shift.”
Jesse frowned. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I need to stay busy.”
Jesse watched his friend head back into the station. Just like him, Luke was blaming himself.
Fuck, today had been a lot for everyone.
He ran his fingers through his hair before turning back to Aspen. She was looking straight at him, and for the millionth time, he felt the relief in his gut that she was alive and safe even after everything that had been thrown her way.
Aspen watched the thick cords of muscles in Jesse’s arms bunch as he spoke to Luke. She hated what had happened today. She hated that Margot’s murderer had been someone Jesse had trusted.
“I wish he wouldn’t shoulder the blame,” Aspen said, more to herself than to Claudia.
“You almost died today. He’s going to shoulder the blame no matter who held the gun on you.”
It was true. She still didn’t like it.
Claudia bumped her side. “I heard you were pretty badass in there.”
Aspen scoffed. “I threw coffee in her face—it was hardly a great act of bravery.”
“You gave Luke a chance to grab her, and no one got shot. You were smart.”
“Really, it was Mrs. Gerald’s coffee that saved the day.”
Claudia chuckled. “Yeah, well, she’s been saving my mornings most days lately too, so that doesn’t surprise me.” The smile slipped. “You’re okay?”
“I’m safe, and so is Jesse. So yeah, I’m okay. Are you?”
“We lost a deputy and now Bea. It will take a while for everyone here at the station to recover. But we will.”
“I’m sorry.”
Claudia dipped her head. “Thanks.”
Aspen looked over at Jesse and, as if he could feel her gaze on him, his dark eyes collided with hers.
All it took was one look, and any anxiety or fear just…vanished.
When he started back toward her, her skin began to tingle. He was so big and fierce, she couldn’t not feel safe around him.
He slipped an arm around her waist before looking at Claudia. “Thanks.”
“Need anything else?”
“Not right now. I just want to get Aspen home to rest.”
“Call if you need anything.”
The second Claudia was gone, Aspen stepped in front of Jesse and splayed her hands over his chest. “How’s Luke?”
“Not good. He thinks this is his fault because of his history with Bea and Margot.”
“It’s not.”
“That’s what I told him.” His brown gaze bore into her as his strong arms wove around her waist. “Are you ready to go home?”
“I’m dreaming about being in bed with you.”
His eyes darkened. “Let’s go.”
He went to step toward the car, but she grabbed his arm, stopping him. “Wait.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry.”
He frowned. “For what?”
“You trusted Bea, and that trust was broken. I’m sorry she did that to you.”
Pain flashed through his eyes. “You’re safe. That’s what I’m focusing on. Thank you for fighting in there, just like you fought Dylan.”
“I’ll always fight to return to you.”
Emotion flickered in his eyes. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” She lifted to her toes and kissed him, a long, deep kiss that almost made her forget everything that had come before it. “Take me home.”