My phone rings and I pull it out.“What?”
“Fucker bled out all over the steering wheel.I’m on my way back, cleanup is handling it.”
“Thanks,” I tell my guy and disconnect.
“Floriiiiiisssss,” Quinn screams from inside.
“Why the hell is my wife calling out for you?”I snarl.
Floris is shaking his head wide-eyed.
Bursting through the door, I ask the question to Quinn, “Why the hell are you calling out for my brother instead of me?”
My gaze hits her leg and I notice the way her ankle is resting on a pillow.“What happened to your ankle?”
“You left,” she accuses.“You were mad, you yelled at me, and you left.I don’t like you very much right now and I’m in a bit of a pickle.”
I frown and try to remember the moment, but I’m pretty sure, “I didn’t yell.”
“You whispered harshly.Harshly.You might as well have yelled because I was freaking out and you...”
I sigh and cut her off.“Didn’t yell.I was angry at myself, at what just happened, not at you.”
She narrows her eyes.“Agree to disagree, now go away.I need to talk to Floris because I’m still mad at you.”
Emotions and getting attached is something I’ve never done when it comes to women.It’s why I’m starting to doubt my own sanity, because this woman is affecting me in many ways.
Taking a calming breath, I sit down next to her and try a different approach.“What pickle were you referring to?”
Her shoulders slump and she holds out her hand.I now notice the phone in her hand and don’t recognize it.
“This was in my pocket.It isn’t mine and it wasn’t there before my brother hugged me,” she tells me with tears in her eyes.“I’d really like to have my brother back.A little piece of what’s left of my so-called family.He’s been the one who was always there for me.He could have killed me today and he didn’t.I told him I was pregnant and married to you.Still, I don’t trust him because with everything that just happened, I don’t trust anyone anymore.And I’d really like to have my friend here.Bri’s the only one who I consider my freaking friend and I miss her.”
There’s no way I’m going to point out the fact that she is trusting someone; me.I take the phone from her and with my other hand I reach for her to gently cup the side of her face.
Gliding my thumb over her cheek, I whisper, “I yelled because you scared the fuck out of me.You had a gun to your head and could have died, it fucked with my head.”
She closes her eyes and her lashes stick together due to the tears.“See?You did yell.I don’t like any of it, and I really need my ankle to stop throbbing.”
She leans into my touch and her eyes flutter open.My throat clogs up at the sight of this woman and her open emotions as she stares up at me.
Without giving it another thought, I lean in and brush a kiss against her forehead while I murmur, “Thank you for your trust.I’m going to call the doctor to check on your ankle and I’m going to call Tate to bring your friend over.”
A sob mingled with a, “Thank you,” rips from her.
I caress her cheek one more time and drop my hand, knowing she’ll pull back anyway with what I’m about to say.“Don’t thank me yet.Trust goes hand in hand with honesty, and I haven’t told you about Micah, who is currently tied and locked up in our basement.”
Her eyes widen in surprise.“Then who the hell is texting me?It said they came from Micah.”
“Good point.”I grin.“I’m going to find out.”
She bites her bottom lip.“First, you’re going to call Tate, right?Then, maybe when I’m a little less pissed I can see Micah?”
I reach for her face again and relish the fact that showing affection comes easy now when it comes to my wife.“We’re going to handle a few things first, then I’ll take you to see Micah.”
Surprise hits me when she leans forward and kisses my cheek.“Thank you.”
“You never have to thank me, darlin’.I’m your husband, it’s my privilege to see to your needs...whatever they may be.”
