He smiled.
"Yeah. I agree," he said and leaned over the center console. “Hey. Is that my scarf?”
I glanced down at the dirty piece of fabric that no longer resembled the one I’d wrapped around me all those hours ago and chuckled.
“Sorry. I borrowed it for courage.”
“And?” he raised an eyebrow. “Did it give you any?”
I smiled, relaxing back into the car seat.
“What do you think?”
Dare tugged at the scarf, pulling me closer to him and I touched my forehead to his before he could kiss me.
"We need a shower," I said. "We're too dirty and bloody to be kissing."
Dare put his hand behind my head and pulled me into his mouth. He didn't care about our state. He just wanted to show me how much he loved me. As if he needed to after what he'd done for me. If anything, I needed to show him how I felt about him.
He came after me. He'd saved me. He'd given me my freedom again. Loving him back was the least I could do.
THIRTY-FIVE
DARE
Despite the pain, I focused all my attention on Zach. I still couldn't believe we'd made it through. I couldn't believe he was standing here, in front of me, safe and sound in my house from the horrors of his past. We were clean, dry and together.
It was in that moment, surrounded by mundane things and cute animals that I realized how close I'd been to losing my freaking life but, most importantly, how close I'd been to losing him. I didn't know what I'd do knowing I'd left him with that monster. I didn't even want to think about that. All I wanted was to hold him close, tucked into the crook of my neck, and never let him go.
A sharp burn made me jolt and I glanced at my new friend with a frown.
"Ouch!" I said, pointedly.
Ari raised an eyebrow with a smug look on his face.
"Do you expect me to say sorry, my friend?"
"It wouldn't hurt."
"You do know you got shot right?" he chuckled.
"I'm painfully aware."
Ari nodded.
"Are you now?" Warren asked and marched back into the living room. "Because you're acting as if Ari is the one hurting you and not your own stupidity."
"Hey!" Zach groaned and Warren glared at him too.
"Don't get me started on you, mister," he said and I had to choke back a laugh.
Zach bit his lips and lowered his head. Warren seemed to be satisfied with himself, and stepped forward to squeeze Ari's shoulder.
"How's it looking, bud? Is he going to live?"
Ari rocked his head from side to side, grimacing, before he said, "The next few hours will be critical."
He winked at me and I snorted. Zach, on the other hand, gasped.
