Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Tyler
The moment I answered the call from Sheriff Holloway felt like my life had been suspended midair.
His calm, collected voice telling me that Delaney had called into dispatch reporting that Megan was at the park with them did nothing to help ease me.
He told me deputies were en route, and he was giving me a heads up that they had everything under control.
Control my ass. The psycho bitch could’ve done anything to them, and I wasn’t with them. I wasn’t there to protect them from her.
Mammon couldn't get me to the park soon enough. He barely has the truck stopped before I jump out. The sight of my woman and son clinging together on a park bench, deputies surrounding them, did nothing to help the anguish eating away at my chest.
With my eyes locked on them, I sprint across the grass, my heart hammering against my rib cage. My boots pound the earth as I close the distance between us. Delaney's face is pale, her eyes wide with fear even as she tries to comfort my son.
I push past the deputies who don't bother to stop me. They know exactly who I am. Who these two are to me.
Dropping down in front of both Delaney and my son, I wrap my arms around them, assuring myself that they're safe. Breathing for the first time since the Sheriff called me.
Delaney lets out a sob and wraps an arm tight around me.
"You're both okay," I murmur and press a kiss to the top of both their heads. "Safe, she's not going to hurt you anymore.
"Ambulance is two minutes out," the female deputy announces.
"I don't need an ambulance," Delaney protests, her breath hitching in the process.
"Ma'am, you should be checked over. She got you good on the back of your head, I'm guessing with the shovel tossed back there," another deputy states.
I pull back and assess the back of Delaney's head, indeed seeing the blood there. "You need to be checked out, sweetheart," I tell her, not leaving room for her to argue with me.
“I’m okay. You’re here, I’ll be fine.” She tries weakly.
“You still need to be checked out. You’re going to the hospital for them to look you over.”
"Daddy," Dash whimpers and curls himself deeper into me.
“I’ve got you,” I tell him, kissing the top of his head. “Daddy’s got you.”
"I did my best to protect him," Delaney whispers, eyes locked on my son. "I really did."
I close my eyes and nod. I didn’t need her to tell me. I know my woman. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do for those she loves and cares about.
"You okay, kiddo?" I ask, keeping a protective arm wrapped around him.
Dash nods against my chest, his small body trembling. "She was scary, Daddy. She had a shovel and she hitted Laney."
My jaw clenches as fury surges through me. I press another kiss to his forehead, trying to keep my voice steady. "You're safe now, kiddo. No one's going to hurt you or Delaney. Never again. I promise you that."
"Who was she?" he asks, lifting his head, lips trembling, eyes shining with tears that spill down his cheeks.
Fuck.
The last thing I want to do is have this conversation with him. Not during all of the commotion surrounding us.
The ambulance arrives with its flashing lights, and paramedics rush toward us before I can answer him. I lift him into my arms while the paramedics move to Delaney. Around us, the world narrows despite the chaos.
I keep my eyes glued to Delaney while the paramedics assess her.
"I'm fine, really," Delaney insists, but her eyes are glassy, unfocused.
The paramedic gently examines the wound on the back of her head. "Ma'am, you're going to need stitches. There's definitely a concussion here."
I feel Dash's grip tighten on my shirt. "Is Delaney going to be okay?" he asks quietly.
"Yeah, kiddo, she's gonna be okay," I tell him.
"We're gonna take her in," one of the paramedics says, stepping back.
"I swear, I'm fine," Delaney protests, standing, swaying. I step in close to steady her.
"Sweetheart, you're going to the hospital," I tell her.
"Fine," she huffs and looks at Dash, "I'll go, but what about him? He needs to be with you. You should take him home. He needs you."
"We'll follow in your truck." No way was I leaving her side. But I know she’s right. My son needs me. I also didn't want Mammon to wait around or have to get someone to get my truck for me when I can just take hers.
Delaney nods only to wince. My gut churns over the fact she's hurt.
Shit.
I should have insisted that they stay at the ranch and not leave. It's my damn fault this happened. She said they would if I wanted them to.
Watching the paramedics load Delaney onto a gurney, I wait until they have her in the back of the ambulance before acknowledging the fact that Mammon had been sticking close, not saying a word.
Turning to him, I hold his gaze.
"You good?" he asks, eyes darting in the direction of the ambulance, concern filling his gaze.
"Not even close," I tell him, stroking Dash's back. I still need to answer my son's questions, but not yet. "I'll meet you at the hospital,” I tell him, not fully meeting his gaze. None of this would be happening if it weren’t for my crazy ex
"This isn't your fault. You know that, right?" Maddox asks.
"Isn't it?" I grunt tersely. "If it weren't for me, my woman wouldn't be in the back of an ambulance. My son wouldn't be clinging to me, scared out of his mind."
"It's not on you, Ty," Mammon states calmly, getting in my space, hand coming to my shoulder. "Put the blame where it belongs." He squeezes me and moves back, heading for his truck.
Sighing, I do the same, but instead for Delaney's truck.
I get my son fastened in and climb behind the wheel just as the ambulance pulls off.
At least with them not rushing, I know she's going to be okay, but with all the shit that's happened, I don't want the stress of it to cause her to lose the babies that brought us together.
Fuck.
I grip the steering wheel tightly and follow behind them, wanting nothing more than to be with her. But I also have to put my son first, meaning when we get there, I've got to talk to him before heading in. Delaney will be pissed if I don't.
Parking in a spot close to the ER doors, I turn the engine off and look over to my little boy. "You asked me who that woman was." I stop to wait for Dash to look at me and nod. "You don't remember her, you were only a baby, but she's your mother."
"She's not my mommy," Dash says, his lips quivering.
"No, she's not. A mommy doesn't do what she did. Megan is sick and needs help. She's going back to the place that will give it to her." Hopefully for a hell of a lot longer with all the shit she pulled today and recently.
"She said she started the fire at Laney's house." Dash's eyes well with fresh tears. "Laney’s not going to hate me because that woman hurt her, is she?"
Fucking hell.
Unfastening Dash from his booster seat, I pull him to me, wrapping my arms tight around him. "Laney could never hate you, kiddo."
"I loves her. I wish she were my mommy," he cries and tucks his face in my neck.
"I love her too. Now, how about we get in there and see that she's good so we can all go home?"
"Okays," he whispers, not letting go.
Taking the keys out of the ignition, I open the door and shove them in my pocket. Honestly, I'm not sure I want to know all the details that entailed my woman protecting my son. All that matters is they're both safe. No one can hurt them again.
"I'm telling you, I'm fine." Delaney sighs, shifting on the couch. "You don't have to move him."
We got home hours ago after the hospital discharged her. Dr. McAlister even came down and spoke with us while Mammon took Dash to get a drink. He protested at first, but Mammon convinced him to go with the promise of finding some awesome snacks.
Now that everyone who stopped by to check in on her and my son is gone, I can tell Delaney is done with having people in her space. I can see it in her eyes.
Throughout all the visits, she's kept Dash close to her, and he didn't seem to mind.
The two of them cuddled together while having a movie-a-thon, watching first The Goonies and now The Sandlot is finishing up.
Even when everyone was around us, I didn't mind so long as they were both in my line of sight.
Even as Dash slipped into sleep, lying next to Delaney. The movie played on until Mammon left.
With the last of the guests gone, I let out a breath of reprieve. Finally, I have them all to myself, and I needed to reassure myself that they were safe.
I move from my spot and scoop Dash into my arms. "I'm moving him to his bed.
Then taking you to ours," I whisper. The need to hold her in my arms is nearly overwhelming, but I’m not doing it on the couch.
I want to stretch out without feeling uncomfortable.
Not that I would be in the living room, still, the bed sounds way better to me.
Delaney huffs, relenting to the fact that I wasn't giving in.
Taking Dash to his room, I cover him with a light blanket. I know he won't be out for long. It's still early enough in the day, but a nap right now is good for him.
Stepping out of his room, I glare at the woman walking my way. "I was coming back to get you. The doctor said you need to take it easy."
"I am," she whispers, walking right into my arms.
Grunting, I hold her close, guide her to our room, and lay down next to her, pulling her into my arms. "Scared the shit out of me today."
"I'm sorry. I should have listened to you," she utters against my chest, letting out a ragged breath. "She was the one who burned down my house."
I close my eyes and sigh. "I hope she doesn't get out anytime soon. I'll kill her if she does."
"You heard what I told Sheriff Holloway."
I heard her giving her statement to the Sheriff.
It'd been after Dr. McAlister finished her exam of Delaney and she'd gotten her stitches.
She'd told him everything. I sat there listening quietly, seething over it all.
Megan had some warped illusion that we were hers and Delaney was taking us from her.
My woman had done everything she could to protect Dash, including sending him to her truck to lock himself inside.
"I'm sorry she burned down the home you grew up in. I can't tell you how much I wish I could fix it."
Delaney lifts her head, fresh tears in her eyes. "None of this is your fault, Tyler. She should have never been let out of prison. That's on them, not you. What she did to me is on her. It's not like you asked her to set the fire. You didn't hit me with a shovel. And you didn't aim a gun at me."
I squeeze my eyes shut at the mention of the gun. I don't know how Megan got hold of the damn thing, but Delaney risked herself being shot, all to keep Dash safe.
God.
This woman is everything.
Opening my eyes, I curl a hand around her neck, meeting her gaze. "You know how much I love you?"
Delaney's eyes grow wide, and her lips part on a gasp. "You love me?"
"Damn right, I love you. So much. More than you'll ever know."
I lean into her, claiming her mouth in a tender kiss. As much as I want to deepen it, now isn't the time. What I need more than to be inside her is to hold her close and know she's right next to me.
Whole and breathing.
Right where she'll stay for the rest of our lives if I can help it.