55. Chapter 55 - Rosalyn
It’s ironic that six months ago I was sitting in the exact chair he is while he dabbed my face from injuries that Eli caused.
Today it’s me carefully tending to Cade’s split lip from his fight with not only Eli but his niece’s new husband.
“Why didn’t you tell them there was a bomb?” My brows knit as I hand him a cold pack for his cheek.
“I was trying,” he groans. “It all happened so fucking fast. And the whole time all I could think about was you.”
That makes a shiver run through me. He was almost killed because I was a distraction.
I froze with my panic at the woman knowing who I was. It had me blindly following her even though I knew it was wrong.
“You still didn’t tell me how you got away.” His palm wraps my waist to pull me onto his thigh while his other holds the frozen bag of peas to his face.
“You called.” I shrug, leaning into his shoulder. “It reminded me who was more important to listen to.”
When his mouth lifts in a smile, it makes him wince. “I’m a guardian angel whispering in your ear.”
“Or the devil,” I giggle, kissing his neck. “But it made me finally open my eyes and look around. That’s when I saw the sheriff. When I called out to him, she panicked and ran off.”
“I can see that, I’d hate to be on his bad side,” Cade groans.
“I need to touch base with him. He sent a text that said Sophia and her husband were rushed to the hospital and that there were a few other bystanders with minor injuries.” He lets out a long sigh.
“I wish I had done things differently. I should have just shot that motherfucker.”
It’s a shock when I realize how little that bothers me.
“I wish you would have,” I admit quietly. “Then at least there would be one less terrible person.” I curl against him, my thumb drifting to the cut on his lip. “He just keeps hurting people. They do all these awful things and yet that bitch had the audacity to tell me that you’re the bad guy.”
He chuckles, shaking his head. “Maybe I am? I always end up in the wrong place and the wrong time. The only thing I did right was wandering into the damn woods behind your house and talking to you like a creep.”
“I’m fine with you being my stalker.” What would my life look like if it wasn’t for him?
Would I even be alive?
A shudder runs through me. I’m so far from that mindset now I don’t recognize it.
His arm tightens, then he pats my hip. “Let me call Wade. I need to know if Sophia is okay. That fucking blast was big enough to take out half the bleachers.”
I unfold from his lap. “I’m going to shower while you do that.” I’m hesitant to let him out of my sight.
What if this part is the dream and I wake up to find out that I’m back in that horrible house, trapped with the monsters again?
Seeking out the bracelet on my wrist, I rub it while he stands stiffly.
“Ugh, too bad there isn’t a tub in this apartment. A good soak with you in it with me would cure everything that ails me.” He grips my neck, kissing my temple, then focuses on my twitching hand making his eyes narrow. “Ros, how about I call, then we can get in there together?”
Biting my lip, I nod. “Yes, please?”
When Wade answers, Cade hits the button and holds his phone out flat between us. “Wade, you’re on speaker with Ros. How’s Sophia?”
“She’s good. Oliver took the brunt of it,” he grunts. “He’s pretty fu-I mean, he’s in bad shape. They aren’t sure if he’s gonna make it.”
“Damn it.” Cade closes his eyes and clenches his jaw. “I tried to get them away.”
“I know. I’m catching all kinds of shit from the feds. They’re pushing to have this labeled as a terrorist attack. We were there and still couldn’t stop it.” Wade’s exhale whistles against the speaker.
“I had him, Wade. I had Eli on the fucking ground with the detonator in his hand.” Cade lets out a grumble. “John had some woman grab Ros. Eli made me choose.”
“Hell, I would have done the same thing if it was Elena. If Rosalyn is up for it, I’ll be over to Pete’s tomorrow, say around noon. There might be a link with who that mystery gal is and where in the hell they’re hiding.” He pauses. “I have to go. We’ll talk more then.”
Cade tosses his cell on the table. “I can’t imagine the pain that Sophia is going through.” He stares down at the black screen, then raises his dark eyes. Pain deepens the crow’s feet hemming them as he reaches for me. “Losing you on our wedding day would have been my villain origin story.”
I rush to him, forcing myself to be gentle as I wrap my arms around his waist. “I’m sorry I made you take me. I should have just stayed here.”
“Ros, there’s no way to know it would have turned out different.
It could have been worse.” His palms flatten over my back in long slow strokes.
“That truck was aimed for the main exit. They were probably gonna drive through the whole damn crowd gathering to cheer them on.” His chest expands against my cheek, then he lets it out in a warm wash.
“Maybe it had to happen this way so a lot more people didn’t die. ”
I hadn’t thought of that possibility.
There were so many children. Families.
The thought of the devastation sinks like a stone in my belly.
He tugs me with him, his voice dropping into that irresistible syrup of command. “Come on, baby. Let’s go wash away today.”