“I came to see my walking partner.”
“Sorry, sir. I’m confined to quarters.” She looked up at the IV.
“Well, then, we will have to take an imaginary walk. Cassie, I want you to know all of us will help you get your answers. No matter what happens between you and my son, you are family. Lil tells me you’re still having doubts about whether you deserve the effort. I thought we cleared that up too?”
“I’m trying. Talking with Detective Blake brought all the worries back.”
“And memories?”
“Some. My body is a billboard advertising disgusting things. What man would want to be with me?”
He scratched his brow. “Well, if you put it that way, anyone who is scarred should be exiled, never to be heard from again.” He sat close. “Did Ian tell you a little about me?”
Cassie nodded. “Just a bit.”
“I work with military victims of sexual assault. I can tell you that a lot of those women, in particular those higher in rank, feel responsible, dirty and unworthy. They are conflicted to lead, afraid to pursue healthy relationships. I’ll tell you what I tell them: if you don’t try, you’ll miss the party. There are plenty of people willing to help you get there. As far as Ian goes, my son wants you just the way you are. His eyes are wide open.
“You were not responsible for this, and you did not deserve it. You’re a giving and generous woman. Treat yourself with the same kindness that you would anyone going through a trauma. It’s okay to feel. If you ever took a boat ride, you know you can go up and down.”
“Thank you, Declan.”
“You are quite welcome. Cassie, one more thing: don’t hold on to the secrets. You’ve spent too much time in the darkness.” He looked up to see Pete in the doorway. “Now, those medical folks are getting antsy. Get some rest, young lady.”
“You taught your son well, sir.”
Cassie knew she couldn’t move forward until she put her past behind her. That meant she needed to end this.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Hunter passed Ian on the path between the houses. “I think I’m gonna need your help.”
“What do you need?”
Hunter reversed course. Once inside, they sat at the kitchen table. “First, let me see your arm. San Diego called.” Ian tore the bandage off. “Looks good. You can leave it open to air as long as you don’t roll in the mud.”
“Okay?” Ian said flatly.
“Are you taking the meds?”
“Yes, sir, Dr. Montgomery,” Ian said, sarcasm filling his tone.
“Damn, I was hoping to have to shoot you in the ass with some antibiotics.”
Ian tossed a peach at him. “Now what do you need help for?”
“I have Cassie’s latest bloodwork. Her body is starving. She’s trying to eat enough on her own, but she can’t keep up.”
Ian ground his teeth. “What does she need? What do we have to do?”
Hunter tilted his head. “It’s not ‘we.’ It’s all her. I did a scan of her belly. It’s not anatomical. She needs to let us put the feeding tube back in.”
“What’s the issue?”
“She’s refusing. I even gave her a choice of four types.”
“Why? I’ll meet you in her room in thirty minutes. If you have to, sedate her and put it in.”
“Did you hear yourself? She’s an adult. You want me to assault her? This isn’t a command decision where you can punish her for insubordination.”
