Chapter 43 #2
While Mom went to check on Stephie, I sat in the living room and texted Dean, anxious for an update. We had to be careful not to say too much on our regular message thread, but I also had to know what was happening.
Me
Heading to Mom’s place soon?
Dean
Soon. Wrapping up. I love you.
Love you too
Tapping on my phone case, I had an idea. So I opened an encrypted app the Protectors used for missions and typed out a message for Trace.
Papa Bear - I have updates on Harris Medina and Crosshairs Security.
I didn’t involve the Protectors before for a bunch of reasons, but I’d like to tell you everything that’s been going on if you’re willing to listen.
And then we can decide what to tell Owen.
I want to work with you on this if you’ll work with me.
I didn’t expect any response from Trace at this hour, but hopefully I’d hear back from him soon. I still hadn’t given up on joining the Protectors.
In fact, facing Ryan Garrett had only strengthened my resolve.
And now that Dean loved me back the way I’d always dreamed? He made me believe I could really have everything I wanted.
Dean turned up after sunrise, knocking softly on the front door. I rushed to open it, pulling him inside. He was cleaned up and wearing fresh clothes.
“Is Colby doing okay?” I whispered.
“Yeah. He’s holding up surprisingly well.”
He explained that Colby had driven them both out to Dean’s house, where they’d showered and changed, and then Colby had dropped Dean off here before heading home to his own place.
“He’s determined to drop by later to check on Stephie,” Dean said. “And to face your mom. He’s a good kid. Probably a keeper.”
“My baby sister deserves nothing less.”
“Is that our man Dean?” Mom called out, then bustled in from the living room, where she’d dozed off. “Thank goodness. I’ve been worried about you! Come here. You need a momma hug.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Thank you for making sure my girls got home safe. I’m so glad you’re part of this family.” She squeezed him tight enough that his eyes widened. “You’ve never mentioned a mother in your life, and I’ve never asked, but just know I love you like a son. You got that?”
Something intense flickered over Dean’s expression as he hugged her back. “Yes, Mrs. Marsh.”
“Regina,” she snapped.
“Yes, Regina.” He smiled, dimples flashing. “I, uh, I love you too.”
“You’d better.” She patted his cheek, and a blush crept up Dean’s neck. It was adorable. “Now, you both need to sleep. I’ve got the guest room set up for you. You’re staying, aren’t you? I need to know where you both are. At least for a day or two. I’m sure it’ll be good for your sister as well.”
“Of course we’ll stay.” I kissed her cheek. “That’s what I was planning on.”
As for sleep, though, I wasn’t sure I could relax enough for that. My nerves were all zapping like live wires.
Dean and I stripped down to our underwear and slipped under the covers in the guest room. I snuggled against him, grabbing onto him like a koala and resting my cheek on his bare chest.
“Did you speak to Medina?” I whispered. “Did he come to the cabin himself?”
Dean kissed my hairline. “Yep, he did. Along with a dozen guys from Crosshairs who I assume he trusts implicitly. Given the potential for a mutiny within his company, he wants to get it snuffed out as quickly and thoroughly as possible.”
“Helps that Garrett is now a prisoner, Woodson is dead, and several of their allies are dead too. Thanks to us.”
“Medina seemed appropriately grateful. He told me to pass on his thanks to you. And repeated his offer to give you evidence of Garrett’s suffering. I assume your answer is still no?”
I shivered. “I’m done with Garrett.” But there was something else I didn’t fully understand. “When you walked into that room and shot him, you could’ve killed him. You shot him in the shoulder and leg instead.”
“Either shot could’ve been lethal. Depending on where exactly I hit.”
“But they weren’t lethal. You knew what you were doing. They didn’t call you Bullseye for nothing.” I looked up at Dean and found him smirking, but that hint of a smile disappeared quickly. His arms tightened around me.
“Would you prefer that I’d killed him?”
“No, that’s not what I mean. I just want to understand why you didn’t.”
Dean rolled his tongue over his teeth, blue eyes contemplative.
“When I killed Garrett’s friends, it was because they were armed and trying to kill me.
Garrett was threatening Stephie, and of course I’d have done anything to ensure her safety.
But you’d already taken his gun. I had a split-second to decide, and…
I made my choice. Medina will ensure Garrett doesn’t harm you or anyone else again. It didn’t have to be me.”
I brought my hand to his upper chest, where the bullet pendant used to be. Now it was just his soft skin and the muscle underneath. “You told me once that good people always have a moment of hesitation about taking a life. Even when it’s justified.”
“And you told me I’m a good person, so…” Dean rolled onto his side and faced me. “Maybe you’re right.”
He hadn’t spared Garrett for that man’s benefit. Dean had made the choice for himself.
“I know I’m right. You have a good soul.”
“I lost it for a while, but you helped me find it again.” He brushed his lips over mine. “It’s probably tattered, but whatever soul I have, it belongs to you. All of me belongs to you. I love you.”
“All of me belongs to you too. All my love. My future. But that future is up for discussion, you know. If you ever get the itch to wander again. If you ever get tired of Hart County and want to spend a season somewhere else, I could take time off work and…”
“No. I’m done wandering.” Dean placed my hand against his heart, and then he mirrored my position, pressing his palm flat to my beating heart in turn. “I have everything I need right here.”