“Okay, Miss Marshal, cuts have been cleaned and bandaged. You’re okay to go when you’re ready.”
She gave the paramedic a small smile. “Thank you.” She’d known she was fine, but after crashing her car, Jace and Eastern had pushed for her to be looked over by paramedics for the small scrapes and bruises.
She itched to go over to Jace, but he was still talking to deputies, so instead she moved to the steps at the front of his house. The second she started walking, Jace’s gaze shifted to her. It was so intense that she swore she could feel it.
As much as today had been a lot for her, it had been even more for him. He’d had to relive one of the hardest moments of his life—losing a teammate.
God, her heart hurt for him when Stephanie had accused him of killing Dean. When he’d revealed what Dean’s death had done to him, and his wish that he’d been able to do more. She’d known, he’d said it before, but today there’d been so much raw emotion in his words.
It wasn’t his fault. It had never been his fault. And she’d remind him of that every day if he needed her to.
The ambulance left, and Elle watched as Jace shook the officers’ hands before they left too.
She rose from the steps as Jace made his way toward her. Immediately, he pressed his temple to hers, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. “I’m so glad that’s over.”
She studied him. “I’m sorry about everything.”
A muscle pulsed in his jaw. He was still hurting. Would probably hurt for a long while.
She cupped his cheek, needing him to look at her. When those beautiful blue eyes collided with hers, she frowned. “You know that she was in pain, right? She needed someone to blame, and you were the easiest target. Nothing about what happened to Dean is your fault. It’snever beenyour fault.”
He turned his head and kissed her palm. “His death will always feel like a wound I can’t stitch back together. And for a long time, that wound hurt more because, just like Stephanie, I needed someone to blame, and that someone was me.” His gaze bored into her. “But you’re right, his death wasn’t my fault. It was a tragedy…but it wasn’t my fault.”
Thank God. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him close.
He held her back, his chin resting on her head.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” he whispered.
“Me too.” Glad they werebothsafe. “I need to get to the hospital to see Aunt Jewel.”
He nodded before lifting his head, studying her. “I’m so fucking angry about Casper.”
She swallowed. Jace was with her when she’d told the officers about Casper crashing into her car. About the things he’d said…the way he’d tried to touch her.
She hated to think what might have happened if Stephaniehadn’tshot him.
“He was high on something. I’m not saying he deserved what happened to him, but he certainly didn’t do himself any favors.”
It was kind of strange how Stephanie had inadvertently ended up saving her from him. The fine hairs on her arms stood on end. She didn’t want to think about any of that.
Jace’s arms tightened around her, his eyes narrowing at her shudder. “Maybe we should leave the visit of your aunt until tomorrow. Rest for a bit.”
She shook her head. “No. I need to see her. Besides, as long as you’re by my side, I’ll be just fine.”
He frowned. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. All I need is you, Jace. All I’ve ever needed is you.”
CHAPTER 31
Elle had one hand out the window, letting the wind slip through her fingers as they drove down the street. Jace’s fingers felt warm on her leg. He’d barely stopped touching her in the weeks that had passed since Stephanie’s attack. And she wasn’t complaining about that one bit. She needed his touch as much as he needed to touch her. She needed the reassurance that they were both okay, alive and breathing.
“What are you thinking, Tink?”
She turned her head to study him, a small smile curving her lips. “How lucky we are to have each other.”
His fingers tightened around her thigh. “I think about that every day.”
