Mara sighed and leaned into Seth more heavily. He knew she’d hate reliving it, but it was a necessary step, and she wouldn’t be alone. He’d also learned from his training and experiences that talking about it was an essential step to putting it behind them.
MacNeil had apparently never had the opportunity to do that until tonight. Even while Seth was furious with the man, he also felt sorry for him.
A couple he hadn’t met yet walked into the kitchen with Knox and Thea. Knox made introductions. Lia was the doctor, and her husband, Joe, was a co-owner of Midnight Security.
Seth shook their hands. “Nice to meet you. Thanks for coming out.”
Lia smiled as she shook Mara’s hand. “Not a problem at all. We’re glad to help. Can you show me to your room, Mara, and we can chat for a minute?”
Straight to the point, which was good as both he and Mara were drooping further by the minute.
He rose and offered his hand to Mara. Boomer licked her hand and then moved so she could rise, which she did very gingerly—trying hard not to limp. MacNeil had hurt her more than she’d let on. He growled, and picked her up to carry her to her room. Seth kept Mara in his arms as the others called out good night.
Once they were in Mara’s suite with the doctor, Seth closed the door behind them and carried her to the bedroom. Mara sighed, and he agreed with the sentiment. Safe. Home.
Lia smiled. “I know it’s hard, but I’d like to speak to Mara privately for a moment, then I’d like another moment with you both. I promise not to be longer than necessary.”
Seth nodded and moved into the living space, Mara’s luminous eyes stayed locked on his until he closed the door behind him.
Seth paced the room, trying to expend the last of the adrenaline. All he wanted was to wrap Mara in his arms and ensure she slept.
The future would still be there tomorrow.
Mara sank onto the bed when Lia left. Fritter snoozed in the chair in the corner. It was well past midnight, and she wasn’t sure she had the energy for anything other than collapsing into bed.
Where she’d likely have nightmares.
Even at the thought, a shudder ran through her. Seth returned from seeing Lia out and sat beside her on the bed, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. “How are you? Why didn’t you tell me he kicked you?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. So much happened, I didn’t even remember it until I tried to walk. Lia said nothing’s broken, just bruised. I think the fear pushed out all the pain for a while. I’ve never been so scared. The thought of Maki’s brother trying to hurt us is wild. We talked about Anson being a potential problem, but Blake being so angry came out of nowhere.”
His arm tightened. “I’m sorry.”
She looked up to find guilt and sorrow in his eyes. She shifted until she was facing him and cupped his jaw with her hand. “Not your fault. Not any of it. Blake wasn’t able to deal with his brother’s death, but that’s not on you. Just like Maki’s death wasn’t on you.”
“If I’d?—”
She touched her finger to his lips, cutting him off. “No. Horrific things happen all the time. In the military, they happen more frequently. You didn’t set out to harm Maki. You didn’t try to hurt him. Like you and your team, he was trained to handle situations no one should have to face. None of that makes it your fault. It’s okay to have regrets; it’s okay to be sad, but please don’t feel guilty for doing your job. Like we both said out at Chick Inn Time, Maki wouldn’t want that.”
Seth’s lips twitched in a tiny smile. “You sure you’re not a therapist as well as a baker? You sound like the doctor.”
She smiled back. “I liked her. She was so straightforward about it all.”
“I like the fact that you didn’t sustain any serious injuries, and the after-effects of the chloroform are already gone.”
“Always looking out for me. I like that too. I also think she was right about tonight being traumatic for both of us.”
“I would have traded places with you in a heartbeat.”
She kissed him softly. “I know. I also knew you’d find a way to save us.”
He leaned his forehead on hers. “I’m trying to let the guilt go, as you both said, but it’s hard.”
“We’ll get through it together.”
Seth scooped her up and settled her on his lap. She snuggled in, and they stayed like that for several minutes. Not talking, just staying in contact, trying to convince themselves they were safe.
Eventually, Seth kissed her forehead. “Shower or bed?”
