The very thought of how close it came…
Bea could have died, too.
A chill grabs hold of my body. My chest goes tight.
I could have lost Bea before I even had a chance with her.
All the people she helps would have lost her, too.
Her parents would have been devastated.
Shit.
It was too damn close.
“Indy.” She rests her head on my shoulder. “I’m okay. I’m safe.”
“I know.”
“Really.” Her hand comes to my leg and squeezes. “You protected me. You and your team. And now I’m free. The real killer is going to prison. Am I nervous about seeing Jenna’s parents? Yes. But I’ll deal with it. And after…”
The belt around my chest releases a notch. “We’ll pack up your things and head west.”
“Yes.” She lifts her head and meets my gaze. With a smile, she adds, “I’m going to get a fresh start. With you. And I can’t wait.”
“It wasn’t asbad as I thought it might be.”
In profile, Bea’s expression is pensive. But thankfully, not unhappy. She glances out the car window at the blur of trees passing by before turning to me. “They were sad. Obviously. But not mad at me. So I’m relieved about that.”
Without thinking, I reach over to take her hand. A beat later, I inwardly flinch. There’s still a small part of me that anticipates rejection, even though Bea’s never given me reason to feel that way.
But instead of rejection, she twines her fingers between my carbon and metal ones, like it’s the most natural thing in the world. With a small smile, she says, “I’m glad I saw them. Even though I was nervous about it.”
As the red light in front of us turns green, I accelerate through it. “It was really brave, Bea. What you did. Going there, not knowing how they’d react…”
“I think it helped them,” she replies. “Having someone to talk to Jenna about. And knowing that I’m okay. After everything.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “I don’t know them, obviously. But it seemed like… a weight had been lifted after they talked to you. If that makes sense.”
Bea nods. “It does. And I’m glad they didn’t ask about that night. I was worried they might. But they just wanted to know how I was doing and if I’m holding up okay. I felt a little bad that I couldn't tell them the whole truth, but I guess it doesn’t really matter in the scheme of things, does it?”
Guilt pricks at me. “They know all the important things, Bea. They know you’re safe. They know their daughter’s killer is in jail. That he won’t hurt another woman. And they got to talk to you about memories of Jenna.”
After a silent pause, she nods. “True.”
The road that leads to Bea’s apartment building comes up on the right, and I flick on the blinker before turning onto it. “So,” I say in a brighter tone, “what would you like to do for the rest of the day? Do you want to go anywhere? Or would you rather just relax at home?”
Bea thinks for a few seconds. “I’d rather stay home. If that’s okay with you. Cuddle on the couch, order delivery, watch a movie…”
“And maybe have a repeat of this morning?”
Her solemn expression brightens. “Oh, yes. Definitely that.”
Slowing, I make a left into her apartment parking lot. Scanning the lot, I locate a spot close to her front door, second-to-last in a line of six. As I maneuver into the empty spot one-handed, I reply, “I have some other ideas of some things we could try, too.”
“Oh?” Her eyes light with interest. “Like what?”
“Hold that thought.” I shut off the ignition and open the driver’s side door. “Let me come get you. Then I’ll tell you some of my ideas.”
