Chapter 37
Elowen startled awake. She sat up, seeing Griz beside the bed. He stood and reached for her hand.
“Hey, you’re in the hospital.”
His words surprised her. She blinked as she glanced around, noticing the monitors she hadn’t seen before. “What?” She rubbed her face, trying to remember. “Oh God, you saved me.”
He squeezed her hand. “I came as soon as Thario found your window broken. I wish we could have gotten to you earlier.”
His words brought a smile to her lips. “It’s okay. You’re the best.”
His lips quirked up a little on one side. “No, I think you’re the best.”
She closed her eyes, going back over everything that happened. At first, it was all fog and darkness. He’d drugged her, that much she knew. There were parts that were coming back, but it was still obscured by darkness. When she opened her eyes, Griz leaned in and kissed her forehead.
“I want to go home,” she whispered.
Griz nodded. “Soon. We contacted a glass repair company, and they’re at your place fixing your door. The renters are still there. They went in and cleaned up the glass after the police finished.”
Shock pulsed through her. “Oh no, I hate that their vacation was ruined.”
He chuckled, which surprised her. “No way. They talked to Thario and told him they’re all amateur sleuths who like to read through cold cases and real crime stories.
They haven’t solved anything, but they were very excited to see this up close.
They also wanted to make sure you were okay.
They asked that first before they revealed that they were excited about everything that happened. ”
She shook her head. “Wait, what?”
“Yeah, crime junkies. They want to book next year.”
She opened her mouth and closed it before speaking. “Wow, I don’t know how I feel about that.”
He nodded. “It is a little odd.”
“Yeah.”
“Though they would probably be more aware next time they came and look out for you.”
She sighed and snuggled down in the bed. “I probably should get more cameras up.”
“We can figure that out later.”
He was right. They could figure it out later. She had a great man who loved her. Soon, they would be together all the time.
Before too long the nurse came in and drew some blood, promising her they would get back to her with the results of the tests.
The doctor came in. He looked young and glanced at Griz nervously before meeting her gaze.
“So you were out of it when you arrived. You were drugged, and then the knock to your head didn’t help.
You have a small concussion, nothing terrible, but you need to rest. You’ll need to check in with your doctor in a few days.
And next, we need to talk about what happened to you. Do you want to speak alone?”
She shook her head. “No, I want Griz to stay.”
The doctor nodded, then glanced down at the paper in his hand before looking at her again.
“We did a rape kit, and I didn’t see any tearing, but I did see some bruising.
We are running a panel of labs. The results will be back either today before you leave or in the next few days.
Of course, you’ll need to go see your gynecologists and get tests at six months and then a year.
I know that sucks, but because he drugged you, you don’t know exactly what happened. ”
The words from the doctor were like ice water on her, but Griz pulled her into a hug and kissed her on the forehead.
“We’ll get through this.” Griz’s words made her feel better.
Still, it was so much to take in. She hated that some guy had tried to destroy her. She never thought anything like this would happen to her. How could she have?
It was all so weird and terrible. She wished she could go back and fight harder or maybe do something different. But she couldn’t have predicted this man would attack her. It wasn’t her fault, but knowing that didn’t get rid of the icky feelings coursing through her.
The doctor went over a few more things before he left. Not knowing what happened while she’d been drugged was messing with her mind.
“Hey, whatever is going on in your brain, you need to know I love you.” Griz was trying. She glanced up and met his gaze. The love shining in his eyes was evident. She felt better. With his help, she might actually get through this.
“So you don’t think less of me?”
He shook his head. “Hell no. You’re strong. You survived.”
“But—”
“No. There are no buts. You didn’t do anything wrong. You are blameless. I know you have guests at the cabin, and I have work, but we’ll figure something out.”
She shook her head. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
“I know, but I’ll worry about you.”
“I’ll be fine. That guy won’t get out, and if he does, he won’t come around again.”
Griz’s lips thinned, and he shook his head. “If he does get out, I’ll make sure someone is on his ass all the time.”
She laughed. “How?”
“I’m in the Navy. There are a bunch of retired Navy people all over the country. I’m sure there are a few in the area, and if there aren’t, I’m sure I could scrounge up a few retired Marines who would be willing to help. I’ll make sure you’re protected.”
She reached out and touched his arm. “Thank you. You don’t have to.”
“But I will because I care about you.”
“Thank you.”
The nurse finally came around and had her sign stuff.
Getting out of the hospital seemed to take forever, but it was only another hour before she was allowed to leave.
She was tired and closed her eyes a few times on the drive home.
When she arrived home, she was surprised how good her cabin looked. It was like nothing had happened.
Griz would spend another night with her, but then he had to go home. She hated that he had to leave, but she wouldn’t voice that. He still had to work. His being able to come here at the drop of a hat had been great.
Thario stopped by close to two. His dog, Frog, came over and put his head on her lap. She reached down and scratched him behind his ears.
“Hey, Frog, how are you doing?” Frog answered by licking her cheek. Laughter bubbled up, and honestly, it felt great to laugh.
“He likes you,” Thario said.
“I like him.”
“Hear that, Frog? She likes you.”
Frog wagged his tail and then spun around before moving to sit next to her. Thario sat across from them, and Griz pulled up a chair to sit next to her.
“You going to be okay up here alone?” Thario asked.
She nodded. “I’ll be fine.” Her gaze slid to the floor. Thario was quiet, and Griz didn’t fill in the silence. She finally looked up, seeing the doubt in his eyes. “What?”
“Are you sure?” Thario asked.
She blew out a breath. “It was a weird experience. I don’t know what happened. I was drugged for most of it.”
“I should have shot him,” Thario said.
“Oh, I… Could you live with yourself if you did?”
Thario let out a bark of laughter. “Totally. You forget I was a Navy SEAL.”
Griz patted her knee. “The only reason that guy isn’t dead is because we’re not deployed on a mission.”
She looked from Thario to Griz. “Yeah, I did forget. I guess that is normal for you both on missions.”
Thario nodded, and Griz answered. “It is. But we are here, and laws apply. But if that jerk comes after you again, he’s dead.”
“He’s not getting out, is he?”
Thario shook his head. “I talked to the detective and the prosecutor. They are going to try to deny bail. He tried to kill his mother, he kidnapped you at gunpoint, and he held you. Also, there is evidence he killed at least two more people. So it isn’t likely that the judge would grant him bail.”
She wrapped her arms tighter around her body. “If he gets out, I’ll be careful.”
“If he gets out, I’ll come up here,” Thario said.
“I have a lot of vacation, and I turned in my retirement paperwork. I should be able to come up a few more times before I retire.”
She squeezed Griz’s hand. “Thank you. I appreciate what both of you have done for me. You saved me.”
Griz pulled her onto his lap and into his arms. She leaned her head against his shoulder. He would protect her. She would be safe with him in her life. If he couldn’t be near, she knew she would have someone watching after her.
Meeting Griz had been more than just a lucky coincidence.
This man was supposed to be in her life.
Before Griz, she’d been satisfied, but now, she couldn’t imagine a life without him.
He was her rock, and she would lean on him when she needed.
She hoped to become his rock, too. It would take time, but she would be there for her man, making his life better.