“But I will share with you that she isn’t a problem.She won’t cause you any harm and no, she's not hurt.”The set of his jaw made her think there was an unspokennot yet but Josie could leave it.She told Ares she could handle his obligations and by not asking him about it again, she was keeping her word.
She closed her eyes again, not able to stay awake one second longer.
“Hey baby.”
Josie tried to sit up in the bed.The room was darker.
“Hi.”
“Your mom and Carlos are here.I made them take a break.”
“Has anyone made you take a break?”
“I don’t need to,” Ares rubbed his face.“I’m not leaving your side.”His tone was steel, gave her a shiver up her back.
“Okay.”She could talk a little easier.“What happened to Carter and Jared?”
“Both those pieces of scum are in custody.They will never hurt you again.”Ares squeezed her hand so tight, she cried out.
“Sorry.I am sorry I didn’t keep you safe.”
“You couldn’t have anticipated Carter being a psycho.”The look he gave her said that he felt otherwise.
There was one more thing she wanted to clarify.She tried to smile, coughed.Ares took a cup of ice, fished out an ice cube and pressed it against her lip.The concern in his eyes made her feel very cherished.She crunched the ice then sat up straighter.
“When you brought me here…?”
“Yes?I had to, Josie.You looked so ashen I knew they’d done something to you with how you were slurring your words.”
“I know.Here is the best place for me, it’s not that,” she tried to swallow.
“What is it?”His tone was so concerned, he leaned forward as if he was ready to slay the next dragon for her.
“You said, ‘wife.’”
“Yeah, I did.”
“Why did you say that?”She stared at his handsome face, hoping for….she didn’t know but her pulse leaped in anticipation.
“Because I’m yours, Josie.Maybe I wasted my big acts on Christmas Eve—”
“It was a great Christmas Eve,” she squeezed his hand.
“I could buy you anything you want but that doesn’t prove that I love you or that I’m yours.As soon as you are out of this hospital, I'm putting a ring on your finger and we’re getting married because I’m yours and you are mine.”He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.
She couldn’t breathe, she laughed, tears falling down her face.
“Ares….I love you.”
“I love you, Josie.I need you like I need my next breath.I love you.I will do anything to make you happy.”His tears shed, and she reached as far as the wires would let her and wiped them off her face.
“I can’t wait to get out of here.”
“I want you home.I didn’t protect you but I will from now on.”
“You didn’t have a choice, Ares.I'm so sorry.It's not your fault what happened.”
“It’s not yours, either,” he squeezed her hand.
