Jed wasn’t so sure about that.“What about the other men with Tinker?Lyle and the others who kidnapped us?”
“They’re all dead.We found them patrolling outside the cabin.One guy was stomping his feet and whining about it being so cold.”
Jed snorted.That one sounded like Snake.
Darren got to his feet, shoving his hands in his front pockets, suddenly appearing nervous.“I, uh, need to tell you something, and I hope you don’t get mad or at least, don’t take it out on her.”His friend’s gaze settled on Sadie’s sleeping form.
“What?”
“We couldn’t let her stay covered in all that blood, especially if we were going to bring her to the hospital.I, uh,” he rubbed the back of his neck.
“You what?”Jed’s nerves spiked.
“I brought her into the shower to get her cleaned up.I had to get in there with her to help.She was in shock and just standing there.I don’t think she even knew where she was at the time.She was kind of in a trance and rubbing her head like she had a headache.I left my boxer briefs on, but God,” he swallowed hard.“It fucking broke my heart to see her fall apart like that.”He rubbed his chest absently.
Jed relaxed.Darren was as trustworthy as a brother could be.He didn’t think for a minute that he would make a play for Sadie.The man was so head over heels in love with Kylie, he couldn’t see straight half the time.Out of all the brothers, he was glad it was Darren who’d gotten her cleaned up.They had a shared history, and she would not have allowed anyone else in there to help her.
“Darren,” he waited for his friend to look at him again.“I’m not mad at you.I’m glad you were there for her.She knows you and has been through some shit with you.Even if she wasn’t carrying your child, you guys have a bond created from the trauma you both experienced.We both know she wouldn’t have gone into the shower with anyone else.Thank you for taking care of her.”
His friend swallowed hard and glanced toward Sadie again.She was still asleep.How was she sleeping like that?
“How’s the baby?”
Darren’s face sported a full smile this time.“Good.The baby’s doing good.”
“I’m glad.”
“I’m going to go let the rest of them know you’re awake and doing good.I’ll stop at the nurses’ station to let them know, too.”
Sadie made a cute little noise as she tried to reposition in the chair.Her eyes opened for a moment, saw that he was awake, and sat up.“Jed.You’re awake.”
“Yeah, baby.I’m awake.”
Her eyes teared up as she whispered, “I was so scared you wouldn’t wake up.”
“I’m, uh, gonna,” Darren hitched a thumb toward the door.
“Go ahead.We’ll be fine.”After Darren slipped out the door, he patted the bed beside him.“Come here, baby.I need to hold you.”
Sadie didn’t have to be told twice.She lowered the rail and put a knee to the mattress.She rolled to her side and snuggled up with her head on his shoulder.She tipped her head back and cupped the side of his face.“I was so scared you were going to die.He stabbed you, and there was so much blood.”
“Shhh.It’s okay.I’m okay.We’re both here, and we’re both safe now.Thanks to you, I hear.”
Her brows dipped as she frowned.
“Hey.Are you all right?”
“Yes.I’m fine.It’s,” she paused and tipped her head back down so he couldn’t see her eyes.“I’m sorry I couldn’t do what you asked me.I mean, I understand what you asked me, but something in me snapped, and I just couldn’t do it.”She smoothed the wrinkles out of his gown, being careful not to come in contact with his bandaged area.
“Hey.Look at me.”He waited until he had her attention.“I’m glad you didn’t listen to me.From what Darren told me, you saved both our lives.And I’m fucking happier than shit that you killed that son of bitch before he could hurt you or kill you.”Then a soft smile curved his lips.“You’re my hero, Sadie Swallow.”
She snorted, rolled her eyes, and snuggled in closer.“It’s over.We can live our lives now without the threat of Tinker trying to take us away from each other.”
“It is over.And you’re right.We can live our lives.And in the spirit of living our lives free and easy, when we leave here, we’re moving your things and Oliver's to my house.We’re not wasting one more minute.I love you, and I want to be with you for the rest of my life.”
“I love you, too, Jed.”
Those were the words he wanted to hear.Feeling at ease with his woman in his arms, he finally let the pain meds take him back under.The way he saw it, if he and Sadie could live through this hell, they could live through anything as long as they did it together.
