Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 118333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 592(@200wpm)___ 473(@250wpm)___ 394(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 592(@200wpm)___ 473(@250wpm)___ 394(@300wpm)
Styx’s face was neutral as he listened to me. Mae turned to her husband, some silent communication occurring between them. Styx lifted his hands. “Y’all aren’t going anywhere.” Mae spoke Styx’s words. His hands froze, a pause. Then he signed, “Y’all are family.” Styx dropped his hands and walked out of the door. With a small wave, Mae followed her husband.
I exhaled in relief. He wanted Tanner here. He wanted us here. But as I lay in my bed, I couldn’t get the visit from Styx and Mae from my head. It seemed more than a simple check-in.
But I couldn’t think of any reason why.
Beauty left for the night to get herself some rest. When the door was shut, I stared across at Tanner. He still wasn’t awake. But I needed him. I needed to touch him, to feel his warmth. Pulling off the comforter, I held my side as I lowered my feet to the floor. I was wearing a nightdress. Beauty must have brought it for me. I smiled. It was purple and silk. It reminded me of what I married Tanner in. Knowing Beauty, it would have been why she picked it.
Taking a deep breath, I moved, using the bed frame for support. I walked across the small space between me and Tanner. When I arrived at his side, I ran my hand through his hair. My chest ached as I looked down at Tanner’s wounds. I could have lost him . . . I could have lost the love of my life . . . my husband . . . my soul’s other half.
Careful of the IV, and ignoring the pain in my side, I crawled onto the bed and slipped under the sheets. Tanner’s torso was bare. He only wore track pants.
The minute I was beside him, my bruised heart instantly healed. I laid my arm over his waist and absorbed his warmth. Lowering my head to the pillow, I kissed his stubbled cheek. “I love you, mi amor,” I whispered and breathed in his smoky, leather smell.
Even the sterile ointment on his wounds couldn’t take away his addictive scent. I held his left hand and ran my thumb over the wedding ring. I smiled at the sight . . . then Tanner’s hand twitched. I stilled, waiting, breath held . . . waiting for more . . . Tanner’s fingers moved. I sat up, and stared at his face. Tanner’s eyebrows pulled down, his tongue traced his lips . . . finally, his eyes cracked open.
I couldn’t help it. A sob left my throat as he blinked, revealing to me the bright blue eyes I adored so much. They were dazed at first. The confusion he felt was obvious by his lost expression. I kissed his cheek, his nose, then his lips. “Tanner,” I whispered, happy tears trickling down my cheeks. It took Tanner only a moment to kiss me back. His hand came up to the back of my head. I heard him hitch a breath and realized the movement must have caused him pain.
I tried to pull back, but he kept me in place. “No . . .” he whispered against my lips. “Stay.”
My heart melted.
I kissed him softly, trying to pour everything I was feeling into the touch—love, gratitude, pride, and adoration. All of it, every emotion that had ever coursed through my soul in my years with him. In our fight to be together.
I tried to communicate it all.
I reared back and looked at his face. There was no confusion, anymore. “We’re . . . alive . . .” he rasped. My heart cracked when, with shining eyes, he smiled. “We’re alive . . .” He said the words with such relief, such awe—a whispered benediction from his lips.
“Yes,” I cried, laughing, letting caged joy break through. “We’re alive.” I kissed him again. I kissed him through fallen salty tears, labored breathing, and painful injuries. But it didn’t deter us. We were here. Saved.
Saved for the sake of the other.
Breaking away, I passed Tanner the water from the nightstand. I brought it to his lips, wincing at the movement.
“You’re hurt,” he said quietly. Then his eyes widened. “Diego . . . he shot you.” Tanner’s eyes dropped to my side. He tried to reach for me. But I stopped him by placing my hand on his chest.
“I’m fine.” I ran my hands near his wounds. “You were hurt worse.” I met his eyes. “You killed Diego.”
Tanner relaxed on the bed, and I could see the relief in his eyes. I settled back down on his chest. Tanner put his arm around my shoulders. I heard him hold his breath as he moved. I sank into his side.
The room was silent. I basked in the moment. The silence was the perfect soundtrack to match my thoughts. At peace. Happy . . . liberated.