He smoothed a hand over her head. “You don’t have to think about that. I’ve got you, and I swear I’ll never let you go.”
Her body relaxed and she closed her eyes. He was right. She didn’t have to think about Tyson Brown and his intentions ever again. She was safe in Reid’s arms, and she never wanted to leave.
Chapter 27
Reid refused to leave Eve’s side while the medic looked her over in the back of the ambulance. He’d carried her to the parking lot, memorizing the way she felt in his arms. And now he couldn’t wait to pull her close again and never let her go.
Chaos had taken over the once-empty lot. Cruisers with flashing blue and red lights filled spaces. Deputies marched between the crime scene and their vehicles, hanging yellow tape to preserve the scene and collecting evidence.
Madden stood with Deputy Hill, probably replaying the events that had led them to this moment.
Dirt smeared Eve’s face and holes in her clothes broadcast her struggle, but it was the ugly purple marks around her neck that made Reid want to put a fist through a wall. Tyson Brown might not have gotten exactly what he’d planned, but he’d put his hands on Eve, had almost killed her.
And it was all Reid’s fault.
“Can you lift your head a little,” the medic asked. She gently touched a sensitive spot along Eve’s collarbone with her fingers.
Eve winced and tightened her hold on his hand.
“You’re going to be sore for a couple of days, but no serious injuries. You have a slight concussion and wound on your head. I’ve cleaned your cuts and scrapes, and I don’t see a reason to take you to the hospital. Lots of rest the next few days, and I recommend finding someone to talk with about what you just went through. Trauma takes time to heal. Be good to yourself.”
“Thank you,” Eve said.
“So she’s free to go?” Reid asked.
“Whenever she’s ready.” The middle-aged woman hopped out of the back of the ambulance and walked across the busy parking lot to speak with Deputy Silver.
Reid shifted on the hard gurney inside the ambulance. He wanted to whisk Eve away from this place, give her all the time she needed to put this whole nightmare behind her. He stared down at her dirty face, and guilt stung his heart like a pack of angry bees. “If I’d lost you, I would have never forgiven myself. I’m so sorry I let this happen.”
“You didn’t let anything happen,” Eve said, her voice hoarse and quiet. “This isn’t your fault.”
He shook his head, unwilling to let her words penetrate the thick cover of blame wrapped around him. “I shouldn’t have taken you to the parade. I should have kept my eyes on you the entire time. If I would have done my job right, he wouldn’t have taken you away from me.”
She flattened her palm on his jawline. “Not today. But he would have kept trying.”
“I’m so sorry.” Regret like he’d never known waged a war inside him.
“Do you remember what you told me the first night Tyson attacked me? You told me I wasn’t allowed to apologize for things that weren’t my fault. He did this, not you. You have nothing to apologize for. You saved me.”
Reid squeezed his eyes shut for a beat and let her absolution rain over him. Blowing out a long, steadying breath, he looked at her. “No, honey. You saved me.”
She quirked up a brow, but he didn’t expound. Now wasn’t the time to focus on anything other than getting her someplace warm and comfortable. “You ready to go home?”
Dropping her hand to her lap, she stared up at him with wide eyes. “I’m ready to leave, but I’m not ready to go back to myhouse. Not after everything…” Her voice trailed off and tears fell down her face.
He folded her against him, careful not to hurt her. “Honey, we can go anywhere you want. My apartment, the safe house—hell, how about I take you to the beach or a cabin in the mountains? Get away for a few days and recover. Just know that no matter where we go, you’ll be safe. I’ll keep you safe.”
A smile curved up the corner of her mouth. “We?”
Tucking his thumb and index finger under her chin, he stared into her eyes. He’d hidden his feelings for too long, too afraid that his emotions would lead to disaster. And look where that had led him. With the woman he loved in danger and him a wreck, knowing he’d held back.
“Yes, we. If that’s what you want. I want to stand by your side as we battle back to your new normal. As we navigate our future. As we process all our baggage and grow and learn together. Because as uncertain as things are right now, the one thing I know is that I love you, Eve.”
A soft gasp puffed through her perfect lips. “I love you, too, Reid. I thought I’d never get a chance to tell you.”
His heart swelled and he kissed her softly. “So where should we go? Hawaii?” He wiggled his eyebrows and was rewarded with a short laugh.
“Anywhere with you is paradise, but for now, can I stay at your place? At least for a night or two?”
