26. Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Declan
O nce I have Savannah in the truck, I quickly phone my mom to ask her to watch Kenzi tonight. Savannah won’t be happy about staying away from her for another night, but she needs time to recover after my ex nearly killed her.
I feel an immense sense of guilt right now. Savannah came to Magnolia Falls seeking refuge from violence, and in the last two days, her house has been ransacked and someone tried to hit her with a car. If she hadn’t met me, then she wouldn’t have almost been murdered tonight.
Looking over at Savannah, I realize she’s still in shock and frozen. Once we pull into my driveway, I cut the engine off, jump out of the truck, and walk around to Savannah’s side. She doesn’t make a move to get out or even look at me. I pull the door open and try to get through to her. “Savannah, baby, we need to go in the house.”
Mason told me he was sending patrol cars to Mom’s house to protect her and Kenzi. I’m able to protect my woman on my own, but not out here in the open. I still don’t know what to expect from Savannah’s ex.
Savannah doesn’t acknowledge me and continues to look like she’s in another world. After unbuckling her seat belt, I gently pull her out and carry her into the cabin, walking straight into our bathroom. I stand her up and start undressing her. “Baby, I’m going to help you get undressed and then we’re going to take a shower. We need to clean your cuts and scrapes.”
My beautiful girl has dirt from the parking lot on her clothes. It breaks my heart that someone tried to hurt her for something that had nothing to do with her. Savannah never stole me from Lisa. Lisa and I were over two years ago. Our breakup had nothing to do with Savannah and everything to do with Lisa’s own actions.
Savannah and Kenzi have given me a purpose and a reason to live again. I love them both, and there’s nothing and no one that can change that. I’ll kill anyone who tries to take them away from me. The only thing that saved Lisa tonight was that Mason beat me there, or I’m certain I would have strangled the life out of her. I’ve never hurt a woman, but I have no qualms about killing her after she almost took Savannah away from me.
After undressing us both and turning on the water to the correct temperature, I wash Savannah’s hair and then her body. It feels like déjà vu. The first time I bathed her, I kept it very clinical, just as I am now. There’s nothing sexual about what I’m doing. Once we’re both clean, I wrap her in a fluffy towel and set about brushing the tangles from her wet hair. Afterwards, I tenderly apply ointment and Band-Aids to her cuts and scrapes and put her in one of my T-shirts to sleep in.
Throughout it all, she stays silent. I fear her body has gone into shock.
Throwing the covers back on our bed, I help her get in before I climb in behind her, pulling the covers up and bringing Savannah over to lay her head on my chest so I can hold her close.
“Savannah,” I plead desperately. “I’m begging you, baby, to forgive me, please don’t leave me. This happened because of me, and I wish I could take it back. If I had the power, I’d shield you from any future harm, because the thought of you being hurt again kills me. Baby, please, are you okay?”
That single question shatters her composure, and now her body trembles as tears stream down her face, her breaths shallow and rapid. Kissing her on the top of the head, I keep murmuring how much I love her and how sorry I am.
Savannah never speaks, but finally cries herself to sleep. Unable to doze off, I try to formulate a plan for if she ever tries to leave me. I won’t allow it, but I know she’s emotionally fragile, especially after the last two nights. I’ll have to move with caution. My baby girl isn’t going anywhere.
When Savannah wakes the next morning, she acts like nothing has happened. She refuses breakfast, instead opting to dress for the day with the intention of visiting Kenzi and going back to work.
“Vannah, we need to talk about what happened last night.”
“I don’t. I just need to get on with my life, Declan, and I have to get to work.”
My face turns beet red, and my fists clench tightly at my sides, as I shout, “One of your coworkers was involved in a plan to take you away from me.” My voice cracks as I think about losing her. “I almost lost you last night, baby.”
Turning to face me, a look of sadness crosses her face. “I’m sorry, Declan. I throw myself into work when I’m stressed. With my house being destroyed, the confrontation with Chet at work yesterday, and then Lisa attacking me in the parking lot, I’m overwhelmed.”
“Baby, I am too. Please don’t shut me out. I know this was my fault, but I can’t let you go. I’m a selfish fucker, and I can’t live without you ever again. ”
Savannah reaches up and places her soft hand on my cheek. “Dec, this is not your fault. That woman isn’t well, and she made her own decisions. I can’t believe that Chet was involved. Until yesterday I didn’t think he would ever behave that way. I mean, he’s always been a little too familiar with me, but he’s never outright hurt me.”
“I will talk to the Parkers, but you aren’t going back there. If Anderson makes a move to hurt you, I can’t protect you there. After everything that’s happened, I can’t take the thought of losing you again.”
“What about the money? I have to work to survive.”
“Savannah, no, you do not. Remember, you’re not alone anymore, and I’ve told you, you are mine, and I take care of what’s mine.”
“Kenzi needs things, and it’s not fair to ask you to support a child that isn’t yours.”
“Don’t ever fucking say that again. That little girl is more mine than Anderson’s, and I love her like she’s my own. From this point on, you will refer to me as if she’s my own flesh and blood and I will take care of her as if she is.”
Savannah’s eyes widen in astonishment, but soon her lips curve into a warm smile. “You are a good man, Declan Walker.” Savannah thinks for a moment. “Can I ask you a favor, Declan?”
“Of course, baby, anything.” Looking into her deep brown eyes I see worry.
“If Derek does get to me, please, just take care of Kenzi for me. She’s going to need someone who will protect her.”
The mere thought of Derek taking Savannah from me pisses me off all over again. “I’m sick and tired of these assholes trying to take you from me. He’s not going to touch you, and you are going to be here to raise our little girl with me. Don’t ever talk like you are leaving us again.”
Savannah reaches up placing a kiss on my cheek. “Like I said, a good man.”
A rush of pride slithers over me, knowing that Savannah thinks of me as a good man.
Overwhelmed by the weight of my responsibilities, I request a moment before we retrieve our girl. Savannah agrees and busies herself in the cabin while I step outside to make some calls.
After I talk to my crew, Mason calls me, and I ask for an update on Anderson.
“As far as I can tell, he’s left town. We are still going to be looking for him as a suspect in the break-in at Savannah’s. We’ve issued an APB and declared him a suspect of interest. Hopefully, some other department will pick him up away from here.”
“Thank fuck.” I breathe a sigh of relief. “Knowing that the asshole is out of town and away from my girls is the best news I’ve heard in a while. I just hope he doesn’t come back.”
“There’s no way to tell, but I’ll try to keep an eye out.” Mason clears his throat. “Declan, I have something to show you. You and Savannah need to come up to the station. We found something in Derek Anderson’s hotel room that you need to know about. When Savannah see’s what we have found, she’s going to need all the support she can get.”
“Okay, Mason. We’ll be there soon.”
“Dec, steel yourself, because what we’ve unearthed will make your blood boil.”
“Can’t you tell me what it is now?”
“No, Dec. This must be done at the station. I’ll see you both soon.” Mason sounds like he’s upset. I’ve rarely heard him sound that angry.