“Did you find anything in there?” Callie asked.
“He was stocked up with enough supplies to last for months. Possibly up to a year. And we have confirmation from Lola’s parents that he had access to this cabin whenever he wanted, since they hadn’t stepped foot inside since losing Lola.”
She sucked in a sharp breath, still in disbelief that his obsession with her had started because of a resemblance to his ex.
“We also found both the Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate that was used to drug Hamish, and the chloroform that was used on you, Callie.” Eastern looked at Lock, his voice lowering. “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine.”
His words rang with dishonesty. He wasn’t okay.
Eastern gripped his shoulder. “I’m going to wrap things up, then I’ll get you guys home.”
The second he walked away, Lock turned to her and studied her face. “I’m sorry. I’m so damn sorry about everything.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“I brought him into your world. You werekidnappedbecause of me.”
“Because ofhim. You trusted him, and he abused that trust, because he was mentally unwell.”
“I should have seen it.”
“He hid it well. So well that no one saw, including the rest of your teammates.”
Lock lowered his head, touching his temple to hers. “I hated seeing you in his grasp. You looked so damn scared.”
“I wasn’t scared for me. Antwan had that gun pointed atyou. I was terrified he’d pull the trigger.”
Lock lifted his head. “If I’d lost you today—”
“You didn’t. And you won’t.” Her brows tugged together. “How are you really?” She wanted the truth, and she didn’t care if it was hard to hear.
Pain flickered across his features. “It’s going to take time to come to terms with everything. And even then, it will always hurt. But I’ll get through it because I have you.”
She cupped his cheek. “And I’ll help you in any way I can.”
“Just you being here helps.” This time when he lowered his head, he kissed her. The kiss was slow and gentle and healing. “Thank you for loving me.”
“I didn’t really have a choice. The second we met, I was yours.”
“And I was yours right back.”
CHAPTER 35
Lock’s gaze traced Callie’s closed eyes as she slept. The slight rise in the corners of her lips. He studied every inch of her, casting it all to memory.
Two weeks had passed since the kidnapping…since Antwan.
It was still fucking hard to think about. To remember what Antwan had done. But every day it got a little easier to accept. What helped was reminding himself of what he had. His brothers. The other guys on his team, who he would always consider family. And Callie and their baby.
He touched a hand to her stomach, and she let out the cutest moan he’d ever heard.
They’d gone to the hospital within twenty-four hours of the kidnapping. Everything was fine.
His family. Callie and this baby were his family, and fuck, he was lucky to have them. Something he was reminded of every day.
His gaze shifted to the crack of light sneaking in between the curtains. He should get up. Jesse was coming over soon to say goodbye before he went back to Amber Ridge. He’d insisted on remaining in town until the investigation was tied up, but he’d stayed with Aspen these last couple weeks to give him and Calliesome space. Together, they’d told the other guys on the team about Antwan, and they’d been just as blindsided.
