Chapter 24
People Will Say We're In Love
Seth set Mara in a chair at the kitchen table and filled the kettle. She needed something warm to help with the adrenaline dump. He did too, and while he’d prefer coffee, it would be a terrible choice this late at night. Or this early in the morning.
As soon as someone else arrived, he’d get a blanket for her, but for now, he put the kettle on the stove and returned to sit beside her, wrapping his arms around her.
Those pretty lips pouted. “I can’t stop shaking. It’s over. I should be fine.”
Seth chuckled. “It’s the adrenaline. Happens all the time.”
“You’re not shaking.”
“Only because the army trained our bodies so we can deal with it. Trust me, I’m shaking on the inside. I’ve never been so scared, Mara.”
“Me too. Did you mean it? It wasn’t adrenaline and fear talking?”
Knowing exactly what she meant, he tilted her chin up, so they were gazing into each other’s eyes. “I meant it. I love you, Chaos Machine.”
Her eyes sparkled, and her lips tilted up even as she leaned in to kiss him. “I love you, too, Mr. Clean. Or Mr. Dirty, depending on the situation.”
He grinned. “The dirty stuff’s the best.”
“With you, it is.”
His heart expanded again. The damn thing would be too big for his chest with all the love pumping through it. Love he’d never expected to feel.
“Coming to this apple farm was the best decision I ever made.”
“You didn’t think so that first night.”
The mischievous sparkle in her eyes had him grinning. “Your baking smelled delicious, but the chaos you’d left in your wake nearly had me running for the hills.”
“I’m glad you were brave enough to stay.”
They heard people in the mudroom, and Ford called out. “Just us. Marcus is here.”
Most of the group trooped in. Some moved to grab snacks and drinks from the fridge. Amber moved to the stove to tend the boiling kettle. Every single one of them touched him and Mara as they moved by.
Jolie disappeared through the door to Mara’s rooms and returned with a blanket and Fritter. The cat yowled as it saw Mara. He leapt from Jolie to thump into Mara’s arms.
She folded the cat into her, and Seth felt another shudder run through her. He thanked Jolie and tucked the blanket around Mara as she held the cat.
Boomer also moved over and laid his head on Mara’s lap, even while he kept his eye on Amber. The dog was as intuitive as anyone Seth knew.
Amber brought over a tray of mugs of chamomile tea, and sat on Mara’s other side, patting Boomer’s head.
“I’m so glad you’re okay. Once the adrenaline dump hits, you’re going to want to sleep for a week.
The tea and some of your apple loaf should help you get through the next bit.
The sugar will counteract some of the shock and give you a temporary energy boost. ”
He knew Amber had been through her own hell—more than once.
Mara thanked her with a small smile. He could see the fatigue weighing her down and hoped he could get her into bed soon.
Marcus entered the kitchen, looking official in his uniform.
His eyes took in everything, then he sat across from Seth and Mara at the table.
“I’m glad you’re both doing okay. We’ve got Blake MacNeil in custody in a squad car.
There’s a deputy with him. He’s showing remorse, and I believe he’s no longer a threat to either of you. ”
Mara leaned into Seth’s side as she petted Fritter. “Thank you.”
“Our local doctor, Lia Moreno-Cheveyo, will be here in a few minutes. I know you’re probably exhausted, but having her look you over before you crash is smart.”
Mara sucked in a deep breath. “I’m fine.”
Marcus nodded. “And brave and smart, from what I hear. But it’s still a good idea to talk with her. It won’t take long.”
Seth figured Arrow almost always got his way with his patience and determination. The kindness lurking behind his every action helped, too.
Mara nodded. “Okay.”
“Thank you. I’ll feel better once Lia checks you over for injuries and the after-effects of what MacNeil used to knock you out.
I’ll need to get statements from each of you, but that can wait until tomorrow.
The others have filled me in on what happened, so I have the basics, but I’ll need to hear from each of you, so I have the whole picture. ”
Mara sighed and leaned into Seth more heavily. He knew she’d hate reliving it, but it was a necessary step, and she wouldn’t be alone. He’d also learned from his training and experiences that talking about it was an essential step to putting it behind them.
MacNeil had apparently never had the opportunity to do that until tonight. Even while Seth was furious with the man, he also felt sorry for him.
A couple he hadn’t met yet walked into the kitchen with Knox and Thea. Knox made introductions. Lia was the doctor, and her husband, Joe, was a co-owner of Midnight Security.
Seth shook their hands. “Nice to meet you. Thanks for coming out.”
Lia smiled as she shook Mara’s hand. “Not a problem at all. We’re glad to help. Can you show me to your room, Mara, and we can chat for a minute?”
Straight to the point, which was good as both he and Mara were drooping further by the minute.
He rose and offered his hand to Mara. Boomer licked her hand and then moved so she could rise, which she did very gingerly—trying hard not to limp.
MacNeil had hurt her more than she’d let on.
He growled, and picked her up to carry her to her room.
Seth kept Mara in his arms as the others called out good night.
Once they were in Mara’s suite with the doctor, Seth closed the door behind them and carried her to the bedroom. Mara sighed, and he agreed with the sentiment. Safe. Home.
Lia smiled. “I know it’s hard, but I’d like to speak to Mara privately for a moment, then I’d like another moment with you both. I promise not to be longer than necessary.”
Seth nodded and moved into the living space, Mara’s luminous eyes stayed locked on his until he closed the door behind him.
Seth paced the room, trying to expend the last of the adrenaline. All he wanted was to wrap Mara in his arms and ensure she slept.
The future would still be there tomorrow.
Mara sank onto the bed when Lia left. Fritter snoozed in the chair in the corner. It was well past midnight, and she wasn’t sure she had the energy for anything other than collapsing into bed.
Where she’d likely have nightmares.
Even at the thought, a shudder ran through her. Seth returned from seeing Lia out and sat beside her on the bed, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. “How are you? Why didn’t you tell me he kicked you?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. So much happened, I didn’t even remember it until I tried to walk.
Lia said nothing’s broken, just bruised.
I think the fear pushed out all the pain for a while.
I’ve never been so scared. The thought of Maki’s brother trying to hurt us is wild.
We talked about Anson being a potential problem, but Blake being so angry came out of nowhere. ”
His arm tightened. “I’m sorry.”
She looked up to find guilt and sorrow in his eyes. She shifted until she was facing him and cupped his jaw with her hand. “Not your fault. Not any of it. Blake wasn’t able to deal with his brother’s death, but that’s not on you. Just like Maki’s death wasn’t on you.”
“If I’d—”
She touched her finger to his lips, cutting him off.
“No. Horrific things happen all the time. In the military, they happen more frequently. You didn’t set out to harm Maki.
You didn’t try to hurt him. Like you and your team, he was trained to handle situations no one should have to face.
None of that makes it your fault. It’s okay to have regrets; it’s okay to be sad, but please don’t feel guilty for doing your job.
Like we both said out at Chick Inn Time, Maki wouldn’t want that. ”
Seth’s lips twitched in a tiny smile. “You sure you’re not a therapist as well as a baker? You sound like the doctor.”
She smiled back. “I liked her. She was so straightforward about it all.”
“I like the fact that you didn’t sustain any serious injuries, and the after-effects of the chloroform are already gone.”
“Always looking out for me. I like that too. I also think she was right about tonight being traumatic for both of us.”
“I would have traded places with you in a heartbeat.”
She kissed him softly. “I know. I also knew you’d find a way to save us.”
He leaned his forehead on hers. “I’m trying to let the guilt go, as you both said, but it’s hard.”
“We’ll get through it together.”
Seth scooped her up and settled her on his lap. She snuggled in, and they stayed like that for several minutes. Not talking, just staying in contact, trying to convince themselves they were safe.
Eventually, Seth kissed her forehead. “Shower or bed?”
“I’d like to wash his touch off me, but I don’t have the energy. Let’s just sleep.”
Instead, he lifted her in his arms and headed to the bathroom. When she started to protest, he set her on the closed toilet seat. “I think we’ll both feel better when we’ve washed away the day.”
Knowing he needed the emotional cleanliness as much as she did helped.
Seth turned on the water and then stripped off his clothes. Despite her exhaustion, she enjoyed the view. The man was gorgeous, and her body reacted with need.
Seth held out his hands to help her stand and then shucked her clothes off her before she could even start. When he tried to lift her into the shower, she waved him off. “I’m just bruised. Lia said I’m okay to stand and walk.”
Inside the shower, the mist surrounded them as she leaned into him. The warmth and safety reached down into her core.
The onslaught of tears surprised her. She hadn’t expected to cry now that she was safe, but the sobs seemed to start in her toes and consume her body.
Seth tightened his grip, and his voice shook with emotion when he spoke. “Let it out, Mara. Let it all out.”
She did. Letting go of the fear and terror.
Seth’s hands coasted over her, offering her comfort, reminding her she was safe and cocooned here with him.
When she managed to stop the sobs, he kept his hands roaming over her skin, reminding her he was there.
“Sorry about that.”
He chuckled into her hair and kissed her forehead. “Nothing to be sorry about. It’s better to let it all out. Keeping it inside lets it fester.”
Which reminded her of Blake. “Do you think he’ll be okay?”
Seth hummed out a noise. “Blake? I think so. Part of me wants him to suffer in jail forever because of what he did to you.”
She looked up and caressed his jaw. “I feel the same. But the other part of me feels so sorry for him.”
Seth sighed and rested his forehead on hers. “Me too. I’m guessing he didn’t have anyone to talk to about his brother. Without a support system, it’s so hard to deal with it all. Shame, guilt, sorrow.”
She nodded. “Maki would be so sad for him.”
Seth brushed his lips over hers. “You’re an amazing woman, Mara. Not many people would be so sympathetic to someone who’d held them hostage.”
She shrugged. “I don’t think he really wanted to hurt either of us. He just didn’t know how to handle all the feelings. I wish I knew a way to help him.”
Seth nodded. “We’ll talk to Marcus tomorrow. Suggest Blake get some therapy, and see what Marcus suggests we can do to help him.”
Her heart grew again. “Good idea. Got any more?”
He frowned at her, and she reached up on her toes to kiss him. “I don’t want to think about it anymore. I want to think about you, and the fact that you love me back.”
His grin was fierce, and a little feral. “I have plenty of ideas about that. I love you, Mara. For now and forever.”
She had to battle back more tears, but these were happy ones as she repeated his words. “For now and forever.”
His eyes flared, and he kissed her with need. So much need. So much want.
Soon they were lost in the passion, in the love that filled them both.
Mara let the fear and sorrow drift away. They’d resurface, but for now, she’d focus on Seth and driving him clear out of his mind.