Carson didn’t answer her.She’d see in a moment.He pulled his long-sleeved shirt over his head, followed by his undershirt, leaving himself bare from the waist up.He held his hands out to the side and spun around for her inspection.He let her see their matching tattoos.His was larger, but it was the exact same.Blue eyes and all.
It was as if they were meant to be.He didn’t even remember why he’dchose blue eyes on the phoenix.It was as if he’d known he’d be swept away one day by a blue-eyed flame-haired woman.
Carson turned to face her, grabbing her hand and placing it on his right pectoral.“No more hiding.This is all me.”
Allie stared at his chest, then her gaze moved around to his shoulder and arm.He released her hand as shefelt over his scars, her thumb caressing the rough skin.There was no disgust on her face.No gasp of horror.
He shuddered under her touch and closed his eyes, giving her his complete trust.Her hand moved and settled over his heart.“I love you, Carson.”
His eyes popped open, and he saw all the love radiating from her blue depths.He closed the distance between them and kissed her.He thrust his tongue in deep, and she opened eagerly for him.He poured everything he had into the kiss.Showing her how much he loved her without words.Her hands glided up and down his arms.There was nothing left between them.All his secrets were out.He finally pulled back and kissed her on her forehead before stepping away from temptation.
“As much as I would like to continue this, we need to get the house cleaned up and Yurgio to the police.Sandy is probably worried sick about you.”
“Sandy,” Allie gasped.“Oh my God, she must have been frantic when I didn’t show up at work.”
“Well, you can assure her here in a moment.”He picked up his clothes and weapons and put everything back on.
“What do you mean in a moment?She’s here?Carson?”she screeched, looking angry that he would bring her friend here.Not like Sandy had given any of them a choice.
“She insisted.She was told to wait in the car for us with instructions to call the police in an hour if we didn’t come out with you.By now, I’m sure Jack or someone has assured her all is well, but she probably won’t believe them until she sees you with her own eyes.”
“Well, what are we waiting for?”Allie hurried through the woods; Carson kept pace beside her.“I can’t believe you brought her.”
Carson snorted.“You try stopping her from doing anything.”
It was a tearful reunion when Sandy and Alliecame together.Allie scolded Sandy for coming along, and Sandy scolded her for getting herself kidnapped as if Allie had planned it.Given the situation, Carson explained to Sandy what he’d done and how Allie had ended up being kidnapped, which had earned him his own scolding.
Yurgio and his guard were apprehended.They’d called a cleanup crew to dispose of the bodies and get Yurgio to the proper authorities.They covered up Juan Gomez and his family’s murder by calling it a car accident.No one questioned it.
“I want to go home now.”Luke and Gary had to ride back with them since they’d rodetogether and their cars were parked at her house.
Allie went inside as Carson spoke to Luke.
“Let us know if you need anything.What she went through was pretty traumatic.Shay would be more than happy to speak with her.”
“Thanks, I’ll tell her that.”With that said, the guys left, and Carson went into the house.
Chapter 37
Allie stood there in the living room looking around.Carson didn’t know if it was because some things weren’t in their rightful place or if she was remembering the attack.
“We cleaned up as best we could.I’ll have to find a new picture frame for your one picture,” he explained, filling in the silence.Allie had beenquiet the whole way back.He didn’t know if that was a good thing or bad.She had held up so well through the whole ordeal.He knew her adrenaline had worn off by now.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“You don’t need to thank me.”Carson licked his lips as he tried to think of something else to say.They hadn’t spoken to each other since he’d told her that Sandy was at Juan’s house.“Do you want me to stay or go?”
Allie turned and faced him.He noted a bright red spot on her cheek.Yurgio or someone else hit must have her at some point.He wanted to go back and kill them all again or beat Yurgio for harming her.“Stay.I don’t want to be alone right now.”
Carson felt his shoulders drop because he hadn’t wanted to leave her, but he would have given her anything she wanted.“Whatever you want.”He would do anything for her.
Allie looked down at herselfbefore back to him.“I’m going to go shower.”
He thought about offering to go with her, but he didn’t want to push her.Allie might need a few minutes alone to process what had happened.
She disappeared down the hallway, and he busied himself pacing it, listening for any signs of distress.After several minutes and the water didn’t turn on, he went and checked on her.
The bathroom door was still open, and he saw Allie standing in front of the mirror still dressed and looking at her reflection.
