My breath caught, so I pulled away, held his face in my hands, and gave him a relieved kiss. "I love you."
Jessop smiled slightly, and his eyes softened. "I love you, too," he murmured in a barely audible whisper. I turned and walked toward Oliver's utility truck with a resolute expression. Behind me, I heard the men whispering, but I ignored them. I looked where Dodge had been standing. A dark stain had spread there. My gut heaved.
I steadied myself on the truck with my hand. After glancing at me, Oliver helped me get into his pickup. "Drink this. It's only water."
I leaned my head against the headrest and took a sip. "Thank you."
He nodded and sprinted to his side, climbing in. "Jessop and you, huh? It's about time," he whispered.
At the very least, his remark made me flush.
"I thought there had been a sighting of Aiden,” I said, rubbing at my arms.
"Just a diversion. Sadly, we didn't realize it until it was too late."
“I still think I should be used as bait." Oliver gave me a glance that made me sigh. "I understand. Jessop would be furious. Aiden is after me. He's going to come get me when he can."
"We don't know if he wants to take you with him or if he wants you dead, Penelope." He let out a sigh. "I apologize for being direct. It's a fact."
"I don't think Aiden wants me dead.” I swallowed a terrified breath. I reached up and pressed a hand against my collarbone as panic slowly overtook me. Something had to give. I couldn't continue like this. Even though Aiden had only been free for a day, a lot had happened since then.
I was terrified knowing that Dodge was fighting for his life.
When I arrived at the hospital, my heart lurched in my chest, and I feared what I would learn when I stepped inside. As it turned out, Dodge was holding his own and was currently in surgery. Rosie told me this just as Tallulah rushed into the waiting room, followed closely by Riley. The moment our eyes met, I burst into tears. My best friend wrapped me in her arms and held me while I cried. "It wasn't supposed to be Dodge," I whispered between hiccups. "Aiden wanted me, Talla."
"You need to stop blaming yourself. Dodge made his own choices, and he knows that." I nodded, trying to believe her, as we sat in silence waiting for news about Dodge.
Rosie blew out a loud breath. "It's true, Pen. Dodge was just doing his job. He won't blame you. No one does."
"I guess." I couldn't meet her gaze. My guilt over Dodge being shot would eat at me for a long time. I knew myself, so I knew this. "Okay, then." I huffed out a breath. "Tell me what's happening with Carlisle and Jane."
Talla winced and cast a quick glance at Riley, who stood awkwardly inside the waiting room. "I think Carlisle has had enough of playing up to Jane.” She shrugged. "He thinks she is going to meet up with Aiden soon because she's been fidgety. Whatever that means."
"I want this over with. No one is safe while Aiden is around." I leaned back in the chair and rested my head against the wall and closed my eyes.
The next thing I knew, a doctor in scrubs stood in the doorway. I missed what he initially said. The only words I understood were that Dodge was out of surgery and holding his own. He would be okay. I grabbed Talla's hand and squeezed it, needing her to hold me together. I wasn't normally so emotional. It must be my hormones.
* * *
At that moment, I wanted to stab Aiden Winters with a sharp object. I hate that he still had the power to hurt Penelope. I didn't feel the slightest bit of guilt for wanting the man dead. I figured that was the only way for Penelope to be free of him. So, yes, I didn't feel guilty.
Rosie looked lost, alone, and worried sick about her friend and partner. I moved between Rosie and Pen and took Rosie's hand in one of mine and wrapped an arm around Pen. We sat there for a few minutes before Riley popped into my head.
"Are you ready to head back?"
I narrowed my eyes at the fidgety man.
"I take that as a no!"
"You think?"
"Are you two talking to each other again?" Pen asked.
Rosie frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"
Fiddlesticks. "Um, I have some sort of connection with Riley. It's strange, but it's there. I can't explain it."
"Oh," she muttered.
