He watched me intently before nodding once. “I’m about to get a nurse in here anyway, now that you’re awake. Once they check you over they can have a look at me. As long as it’s in here. I’m not leaving you.”
My stubborn man.
I nodded, scooting closer to him awkwardly with my casted arm. He wrapped an arm around my waist, dropping his forehead to mine. “Scared the shit out of me,” he rasped, his voice thick.
“I’m okay,” I whispered.
“Took you right out from under me,” he lamented. “I was stunned from the accident. Felt so fucking helpless. I’m so sorry, babe.” He swallowed hard as his body shook with emotion.
I wrapped my good hand around the back of his neck. “This isn’t your fault. You came after me like some sort of avenging angel.” I smiled. “My badass angel. They didn’t stand a chance.”
“They still got their hands on you.”
“I’m okay,” I assured him again. I’d say it as many times as I needed to.
He pulled back slightly, looking down at my cast. “Never been so fucking scared. If I ever lost you… I can’t even consider it.”
“You don’t have to,” I cut in, determined to ease his torment.
He looked at me then, his gaze clear with a focus I hadn’t seen in him before. “Marry me.”
“Wh-what?” I sputtered.
His tone and gaze were steady as he answered, “If there’s anything this morning has taught me—hell, that the past year I waited to bring you back to me has taught me—it’s that life is short and so fucking fragile. I want, no I need to spend my life with you. I need my ring on your finger, my baby in your belly, and I’m tired of waiting for anything when it comes to you. I love you, Sarah. Marry me.”
For a moment, we just stared at each other, the incessant beeping of the equipment and my shocked breathing the only sounds.
“Yes,” I whispered through my shock and elation.
A slow grin lit up his handsome face as he once again dipped his forehead to mine. “Say it again,” he demanded against my lips.
I smiled. “Yes.”
He gently grasped the back of my head, bringing his lips to mine. For the moment, nothing else existed except the two of us as our tongues and lips met in a fiery kiss, cementing the future we’d just promised each other.
“Ahem.” The sound of a throat clearing had us breaking apart, though Theo kept a hand over mine. We turned to face the nurse who was appraising us with a lifted brow.
“My girl just agreed to marry me,” Theo announced proudly. “You’re lucky we still have clothes on.”
I smacked him, cheeks reddening with embarrassment.
She chuckled, clearly amused. “She’s got a broken arm, and from the look of it you’re pretty banged up yourself. I think clothing staying on for the time being would be best.”
“Speaking of being banged up, he hasn’t been checked out yet,” I told her, gesturing to Theo as she checked my vitals. “He could have a concussion.”
Theo rolled his eyes but remained silent as she looked him over.
“All right, Casanova, let’s get you seen to.” She nodded.
He was shaking his head before she was even done. “I’m not leaving her.”
“How did I know you’d say that,” she muttered. “Fine. But if you need more than a stitch or two, I’m admitting you.”
A smile twitched at the sides of his mouth. “Yes, ma’am.”
She clucked her tongue, looking at me. “You sure you can handle this one?”
I smothered a grin. “I’m sure.”
There wasn’t a challenge more beautiful than taking on Theo Armstrong for the rest of my life.
****
“Please go home,” I pleaded with Theo a few hours later as Travis, Emerly, Sid, and Sam looked on. Danny and Cade had popped by earlier, as well as Ryan. “You should rest, get some decent food. And, babe, I love you, but you need a shower and a change of clothes.” I wrinkled my nose at the last bit. The nurse had cleaned up and bandaged his injuries when she’d examined him, but he was still wearing the same blood-splattered, sweat-soaked shirt from the accident.
“I’m good.” He shook his head. “Someone can bring me a change of clothes and pick us both up a decent meal if you aren’t discharged in the next few hours.”
“We can do that,” Sam volunteered. “No problem. Just let us know what you need.”
“You think I’m gonna leave my fiancée after today?” he demanded of me.
His declaration was met with shrieks from Em and Sam. “You guys are engaged!” Sam squealed.
“Congratulations!” Emerly grinned as Travis and Sid shook Theo’s hand and did the whole man hug ritual that made me wince with how hard they pounded each other’s backs.
Both girls dipped to give me careful hugs. “Looks like we have another wedding to plan.” Em smiled.
“No need to plan. We’re going to Vegas as soon as possible. You all can come if you want.” Theo shrugged.
I snorted. “In your dreams, babe. That’s not happening. Do you want to deal with my mother if we tried to have a Vegas wedding?”
He paled noticeably. “Shit,” he grumbled.
“We don’t have to do anything huge,” I assured him, fighting a smile. “But I want our family and friends there. I was sort of thinking we could do it back home on the ranch,” I added hopefully. “My parents are going to be so thrilled. I think they like you more than me at this point.”
He grinned. “Well, they certainly were supportive when I asked for your hand.”
I looked at him in shock. “You asked for permission? How? When?” I sputtered.
His expression softened. “Those intentions I told you about? I talked to both your parents before we left Montana. And trust me, sweetheart, they like me, but they love you more than life.”
“That’s so sweet,” Em murmured, reminding me that we had an audience as I stared at Theo in awe.
It was an old-fashioned move and not one I would have necessarily expected of him. But my parents, especially my dad, would have. It showed how much he loved me and how much he respected my family.
“I more than love you,” I whispered.
“I more than love you, too,” he whispered back.
Travis cleared his throat uncomfortably. “I hate to change the subject, but the Feds aren’t going to hold off much longer on wanting a statement. Shit timing, I know. We kept them off you so you could recover a bit. Are you up to talk to a couple of suits?” he asked me. “They’re in the waiting room.”
I didn’t think it was something you ever felt ready for, but I wanted to get it over with. “Yeah,” I agreed, still staring at Theo as his gaze cut to Travis.
“We’ll give you guys some space,” Sam said. “If you don’t get discharged, Sid and I can run to your place and pick up some clothes. We’ll bring you both some dinner, too.”
“Thanks.” I sighed gratefully, once again thankful for the amazing friends Theo and I had. “Don’t push too hard though,” I instructed, eyeing her growing belly. She still had a couple of months to go, but I could tell the pregnancy was starting to wear on her in a way she tried to hide.
She waved me off before throwing a warm look at Sid as he wrapped an arm around her. “I’m fine. Plus, you know my man here would never let me push too hard.” She rolled her eyes with a grin as Sid grunted his agreement.
“You mind if I stay?” Travis asked as Sid and Sam left the room.
“No, it’s fine,” I replied, leaning back against the bed, trying to get comfortable.
“I’ll go get us some coffees,” Emerly offered, and Travis delivered a sweet kiss to her temple.
“Thanks, baby.” He watched her with a tenderness I was still getting used to seeing in him as she left the room. Only when the door was shut did he turn his attention to me. “Just tell them everything you remember, Sarah. These are solid men I’ve worked with before. They’re on your side.”
“Th
ey on their way?” Theo asked from his seat beside me.
Travis nodded just as there was a rap at the door. He opened it to two suit-clad men. “Brenner, Gladstone, good to see you,” he greeted, offering a chin lift and gesturing for them to enter.
Theo stood and shook each of their hands before they turned their attention to me.
“Miss Scott,” the older of the two, with gray hair and kind blue eyes, greeted me. “I’m Agent Brenner, this is Agent Gladstone.” He gestured toward the younger man with dark brown hair.
“Nice to meet you,” I murmured.
“I doubt that.” He smiled gently. “We’ll try to make this quick so you can get some rest. We have a statement from Armstrong, as well as a detailed file from Talon on Weston’s harassment of you and the open murder investigation. I just need your statement regarding this morning, plus anything else you want to add,” he explained.
I nodded, starting from the car crash. “It was more of the same from him—irate that I was trying to move on with my life when in his delusional brain I’d ruined his,” I scoffed. “He kept saying how I was his.” I shuddered at the mere thought. “How I’d ruined not only his life but his father’s as well. Somehow he knew Talon was looking into him,” I explained. “I think it made him desperate to act. The guy he had with him seemed pretty clueless. He freaked once he saw Theo tailing us and then the police. I convinced him to bail out.” Theo squeezed my good hand approvingly as I continued. “One thing is really bothering me though,” I shared.
“What’s that?” Brenner asked, his pen poised over his notepad.
“I asked him why he killed Jess.” I swallowed against the emotion that surfaced every time I thought of her. “He said he didn’t. Given the circumstances and the fact that at that point I don’t think he expected me to escape, I don’t see why he’d lie. If anything, I’d expect him to brag about it. I don’t know that he did it or had anyone do it. He seemed genuinely surprised by my question.”
“Who knows why bastards like Weston do anything they do?” Agent Gladstone scoffed. “We’ve opened an active investigation that we can just about close. We’ll take your comments into consideration, but gotta say, the guy had every motive. All evidence points directly to him.”
I desperately wanted to accept that, to believe my nightmare could be over, but something wasn’t sitting right.
“He’s going to jail for a long time, sweetheart,” Theo added. “We’ve got him on everything from more minor charges like stalking, to major ones of kidnapping, grand theft auto, and battery.” His voice grew pained at the last part as his gaze lingered on my face. I hadn’t had a chance to look in a mirror, but assumed there was some bruising there.
“We’ve also got at least one prostitute willing to testify that not only did he solicit her, but that he also beat her. He’s done,” Travis put in.
I wilted against my pillow in relief and exhaustion.
“You got what you need?” Theo asked the agents, clearly ready to wrap this up.
“We do.” Brenner nodded. “If we need anything else we’ll reach out.”
Travis nodded his agreement, shaking both men’s hands. Theo did the same.
“Miss Scott.” Brenner nodded toward me. “Damn sorry about what happened, but glad we have some resolution for you.”
“Me too,” I murmured. “Thanks.”
“I’ll take off, too. Let you get some rest,” Travis said after the agents had left the room.
“Great first day back at work, huh?” I muttered.
He offered a sad smile. “Glad you’re okay, Sarah.” His gaze cut to Theo. “Take a few days off—both of you. We’ll check in soon. You need anything, call me.”
Theo offered a chin lift as I raised my good hand in a small wave. “Thanks, Trav. Say goodbye to Em for me.”
“Will do,” he agreed in parting as he stepped into the hallway, the door clicking shut behind him.
In the silence that followed, I stared at the ceiling, grappling with the fact that my nightmare was finally over.
Theo scooted his chair closer, folding his upper half over the bed to be closer to me. “Babe.” His voice was pained as he watched me struggle with my emotions. “Wish like hell I could crawl up there with you.”
I nodded as silent tears streaked down my cheeks. “Me too,” I replied hoarsely. “But my boyfriend is a behemoth and would break the bed.” I smirked through tears.
“Your fiancé is a behemoth,” he corrected with a small smile that didn’t mask the concern in his eyes. “What can I do?” he asked as his hand grasped mine.
I turned my head on the pillow to look at him. “You can get me the hell out of here.” I smiled through tears, though I wasn’t kidding and we both knew it.
He nodded. “I’ll get the nurse in here, but baby, the doctor has any concerns and you’re staying put,” he warned firmly. “You just came out of surgery a few hours ago. I don’t want to push it.”
“I’m fine,” I insisted. “I want my own bed, a decent meal, and a shower.” I looked down at my cast and grimaced. “Or as much of a shower as I can manage.”
“I’m gonna take care of you,” he assured me. “Hell, I’m not letting you out of my sight anytime soon.”
“Sounds good to me,” I agreed wholeheartedly.
All I wanted was to curl up in our bed with the man I got to spend the rest of my life with, free of the fear I’d lived with for the past several years. I wanted to lie in his arms and feel free.
Once Theo got three opinions from different doctors and one nurse that I was good to be discharged, we headed home to do just that.
My overprotective man. I wouldn’t have him any other way.
Chapter 24
I didn’t kill her.
I startled, waking for the third time that night as Evan’s voice haunted my sleep. I was on my back in our bed, Theo’s arm over my waist holding me close.
I’d been discharged around dinnertime. When we arrived back at the condo we were met with gorgeous flowers, dinner prepped and in the fridge, and a bottle of wine.
My girls had been here.
Theo had helped me wash my hair in the sink, his loving hands stroking through my locks as I awkwardly kept my arm from the spray.
It was going to be a long six weeks.
I’d called my parents. Theo had sat by my side while my mom cried both in concern and relief, and my dad listened, nearly speechless, a state I couldn’t remember him ever being in. I was at a loss for how to ease them. I’d looked at Theo in dismay and he’d taken the phone without delay, sharing that we were engaged. The news had immediately brightened the mood and redirected their attention. No doubt Mom would be sending me color schemes before I even had a ring on my finger.
The fact that Theo knew how to take care of not only me, but my family as well, was something I didn’t think I’d ever cease to marvel at.
We’d crawled into bed early, with me curling into Theo on my left side as we mindlessly watched television. Neither of us seemed able to process everything that had happened, and instead needed to soak in the comfort of each other. I didn’t remember falling asleep, but I certainly remembered waking up every time afterward.
“Baby.” His sleepy voice rasped with concern. “You’re having a rough night.”
“Sorry.” I sighed. “Maybe I should go sleep in the office.”
His body locked tight. “You don’t leave our bed. We do this together. Got it?”
His intensity didn’t surprise me. I’d known he wouldn’t like the idea of my leaving, but I still felt badly waking him.
“What woke you this time?” he asked gently.
The first time it had been my arm aching. He’d gotten me some pain reliever. The second had been the sound of the crash echoing in my mind.
And now it was the voice I never wanted to hear again but feared would always haunt me. “I keep hearing him say he didn’t kill her,” I whispered.
“You believe him,” he surmised
as his hand caressed the dip in my hip.
I nodded. “I just don’t see why he’d lie. The agents earlier didn’t seem to take my claim seriously. I don’t think they’ll spend any effort on it. Someone needs to. I got my justice, Jess deserves hers.”
“I’ll look into it, sweetheart,” he vowed. “Swear.”
“Thank you,” I murmured in relief.
“Anything for you, Sarah. Anything.”
I knew that—to the very marrow of my being, I knew that.
“Your arm feeling okay?” he asked with concern.
“Yeah. Just hard to find a comfortable position,” I explained. “Of course it had to be my right hand, too,” I grumbled, thinking of how difficult the next several weeks would be.
“There are perks of it being your right arm,” he pointed out bizarrely.
I snorted as he dipped into the bedside table. “I can’t write, typing will be a bitch. Hell, feeding myself will be….”
I stopped speaking as I felt him slide something onto my left ring finger. All of a sudden, I couldn’t even remember what I’d been complaining about as I stared in muted wonder at the large, very sparkly diamond on my finger.
“Didn’t plan on doing this at 3:00 a.m.,” he admitted with a sheepish grin. “But….”
“It’s perfect timing,” I assured him with awestruck wonder, gazing at the diamond on my finger. And it was. I needed the reminder of everything that was to come—of the future I had ahead. The ring was a welcome reminder, and a beautiful one at that.
The large cushion-cut diamond sat upon a delicate gold band. It was incredibly classic and yet bold in its own way. It was absolutely perfect, and I told him so.
“Good.” He smiled, pleased. “I’ve had it for a while,” he admitted.
I looked over at him in surprise.
He shrugged. “Didn’t come get you from Montana to fuck around, sweetheart. I knew what I wanted before I even arrived.”
His admission had an emotion so profound welling up inside me, I could scarcely contain it.
“You changed my life,” I murmured, looking over at him through a sheen of tears. “I was in purgatory, too afraid to look behind me and terrified to move ahead. I wasn’t really living.”
Collide (Talon Security Series Book 3) Page 15
