52
JACKSON
I wait impatiently outside the emergency department doors. The only reason I’m not pacing is because Ethan’s arms are around me from behind, his head resting on my shoulder. I don’t blame him for being exhausted, and I’m sure he’s hurting, which is my fault.
I’ve never been this bone-tired in my life. Even my fingers are sore from swinging that bat with everything I had. I put my heart and soul into killing Hugo, and it was worth every ache and pain. I’ll dream about his mutilated face and skull. It’s far better than the nightmares he’s given me.
Despite the fatigue, my body feels lighter, and although I have a world of shit to make up for, I’m not depressed. My mind isn’t racing. I worry about the legal ramifications of everything that occurred tonight, but I have faith in Reece.
I know—crazy, right?
The trauma team is currently working on him. They don’t believe the bullet hit any major arteries or organs, but he’s lost a lot of blood, and the damage to his shoulder and arm is extensive. He’ll be taken to surgery once he’s stable and the unit is ready.
His commander, Ethan, and I demanded he get the best care—a private room, top surgeons, whatever is necessary. No expense spared.
I owe him my life.
And I don’t need Aurora divorcing me because I injured both her boyfriends and destroyed our dream home all in one night.
And put Desi and Dante at risk.
Andshe could’ve been kidnapped. Or worse.
Jesus, when I fuck up, I do it in epic proportions.
Regret and guilt overwhelm me. My head spins, and I sway on my feet.
Ethan tightens his embrace. “You alright?”
“I’m sorry I brought this on us. I was going to take care of it myself.” I release a shaky exhale and blink the tears away. “I’ll fix the house, or we can move. Anything you want.”
“I don’t give a shit about the house, you know that. I only want us to be safe. We’ll figure it out. Let’s get through these next few days first.” He brushes his lips over my temple. “I have no intention of allowing either of you out of my sight.”
“I wish we were always like this.” The thought slips past my lips. My weary mind lacks a filter, although I don’t have much of one, even on a good day.
“I know.” He grows quiet, and just when I think that’s all I’m getting from him, he adds, “Me too.”
Hope flutters in my stomach like butterflies. “Why can’t we?”
“This is really bothering you, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“We can…privately.” He yawns and stretches his neck. “And it’s probably something we need to discuss with Aurora.”
His yawn is contagious, and I rest against him and close my eyes. “She knows.”
He nuzzles the curve of my neck. Something shifts between us. I can’t pinpoint it, but I sense it with every fiber of my being.
An agent or officer or whatever they’re called gave us Special Response Team T-shirts and scrub pants to replace what was confiscated as evidence.
The medic patched up Ethan’s chin and offered him an ice pack.
We washed up the best we could in the bathroom in the private waiting room they put us in.
Now, all we need is Aurora.
As if my thoughts summoned her, the tracker beeps on my phone. “They’ll be here soon, thank fuck.”
The vehicle comes to a stop, and Dante exits the back seat. “She’s injured—not bad, but she won’t let anyone touch her.”
I round the car before the words are out of his mouth, Ethan behind me.
I’ll lose my mind if she’s hurt. This is all my fault. These things shouldn’t happen to her and wouldn’t if she wasn’t part of my life.
I pull the door open, and she slumps forward.
Panic shoots through me. I crouch and cup her pale face in my hands. “What’s wrong?”
Her eyes slowly focus. “Jackson,” she breathes, then her gentle expression crumbles as her forehead falls to mine.
“Baby,” I sob, right along with her.
Ethan reaches around me and drags her from the vehicle, setting her on her feet. She whimpers and collapses into him, and he lifts her into his embrace.
“Where are you hurt?” His gravelly voice shakes, and his eyes glisten with tears.
I’ve never seen Ethan cry, and I come apart at the seams. I’m a fucking mess, leaning into his chest for support while I hold on to Aurora.
Her bottom lip trembles. “Your face?—”
He cuts her off with a growl of her name. “Answer me.”
“I stepped in glass. I was scared. The men all looked the same… I wanted to get to you.”
The men look the same because they are the same—on the outside. LAPD in SWAT gear versus Homeland Security’s Special Response Team…in SWAT gear. She would know no difference. We would know no difference.
Tears stream down her cheeks, and I brush them away. “It’s okay. We’re here now. It won’t happen again. I swear to you.”
I’ll quit. I won’t leave her side. I’ll sell Kyle’s properties and investments to fund a war against whoever is left. I’ll testify—whatever I have to do to keep us safe.
Ethan’s voice softens yet remains stern. “You’ve been walking around with glass in your feet?”
We saw her take off on the security cam but didn’t see where she’d injured herself. Dante helped her to our room, but I lost sight of her after that. Another reason to add cameras to the bedrooms.
“I need you.” She buries her face in his neck. “Just hold me. Don’t let me go.”
She cries, and I cry with her, my heart breaking for all I’ve put her through.
“I won’t,” he chokes and hugs us tighter, his head against hers, his fingers in my hair. “I’ll never let either of you go.”
The three of us cling to one another, releasing the pent-up fear and emotions of the night until Ethan clears his throat.
“We need to check on Reece, baby, and have you examined.” He kisses her temple. “And don’t tell me no. I haven’t forgotten about you not listening to me.”