Chapter 38
Amelia couldn’t believe that man had tracked her down. He’d almost ruined everything. But Thario and Frog had saved her. The police were gone, saying they would be in contact in a few days.
“Oh God, Frog. Is he okay?” Amelia asked.
Apple nodded. “He needs surgery but will be okay.”
“Good. I want to go see them.”
“Thario said he would call once the surgery is done and Frog is awake.”
She nodded and then turned. It felt like the air was thicker than normal, making everything run in slow motion. She moved to Nichole. “Thank you.”
Her friend hugged her and kissed the side of her head. “Anything you need. We’re here for you. I think the rest of the women are planning to stop by this weekend and into next week to keep you company.”
“Thank you.”
She glanced around, noticing that all of Apple’s teammates were there. She was thankful they were willing to help. There was no way she could deal with it on her own.
Apple was beside her again, and she reached out and grabbed his hand. She wasn't sure how much time had passed, but the sun was rising. They'd survived.
She moved closer to the kitchen where everyone was standing and made sure to speak loud enough for everyone to hear. “Thank you all for helping out.”
“Of course,” Sharp said before giving her a hug.
The rest of the guys hugged her, and Shine and Squat said they were headed to the veterinarian's office to help Thario.
“Please tell Thario I’m praying for fast healing for Frog.”
Squat squeezed her arm. “I will. We’ll make sure he knows.”
Shine came over and gave her a hug. “I know he’s glad you’re safe. We all are.”
She nodded but still felt weird that Frog had been harmed. “I’m glad the bullet didn’t do more damage.”
“We all are. That dog saved Thario. I don't know what will happen when he gets older. Thirteen years is about how long they live, and he's seven.”
She squeezed Shine’s arm. “Tell him we’ll be by later.”
Shine nodded then turned and left with Squat. Trip took off and Jay and Nichole left. Griz and Sharp put away the cleaning supplies before coming over to say goodbye.
Then, it was just the three of them. Lainey yawned, and Amelia knew she needed some sleep. Apple noticed and picked her up.
“Come on, bug, let’s get you into bed.”
“But I’m not tired,” Lainey said around a yawn.
“Sure.” Apple carried Lainey upstairs to her room, and Amelia followed. It only took her a few minutes to fall asleep.
Amelia's head had started to pound about thirty minutes earlier, and now that Lainey was asleep, she felt that maybe she should rest, too.
“Let’s go downstairs.”
“Sure.”
She plopped down on the couch, and Avery slid onto the seat next to her. He took her hand and raised her fingers to his lips.
She shook her head. “I can’t believe that bastard showed up here.”
“Same. When I received the call, I felt like my whole world was crashing out. Then I heard you were okay. I don’t know what I would have done if you or Lainey had been hurt.”
Her stomach turned, and she shook her head. “I was so afraid.”
“I bet.”
“Thario was great, Frog, too.”
“I’m glad he was here.”
She blew out a breath and shook her head. “Your friends are great. They’ve done so much for me.”
“They are the best. It’s more like family, or how family is supposed to be.”
She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed. “I’m glad I’m with you.”
“So am I.” Apple couldn’t stop touching her.
She was his center, his life, his everything.
He knew she would do anything to keep Lainey safe, which meant she would have gone with the bastard.
Just the thought of her at his mercy drove him wild.
If the man hadn’t died, he would have searched all of heaven and earth to get her back and destroy him.
From what he'd heard from the detectives, they weren't interested in pressing charges. The kill had been clean. The man had attacked, and Thario was just keeping the place safe. At least they wouldn't suffer any legal retribution for what happened.
“Let’s get some sleep. I want to hold you.”
She stood and took his hand. They headed into the bedroom and stretched out.
When she snuggled against him, he thought his heart might burst. He knew he had the best person in the world with him.
This was how everything was supposed to be.
He and Amelia raising Lainey, just living their lives together. This was true happiness.