Page 59 of Wounded Hearts

Chapter 27

It had beenthree long days since the darkness had swept away her life, leaving a numb, coldness inside. Mara turned her head and looked at the man in the hospital bed. He looked so big, so vital and strong, and yet she’d come so close to losing him forever.

“Come here, Mara.”

Drew held his big arm out and she walked towards him, blinking to hide the tears that wanted to come as the what-ifs went around in her head. Putting her knee to the bed, she climbed up beside him, laying her head against his chest. The nursing staff had frowned disapprovingly at her when she’d first done it, but they’d given up trying to stop her.

“Why the tears, beautiful?” Drew stroked his fingers over her hair as she listened to the strong, steady beat of his heart. He’d come so close to dying, another inch to the left and he’d be dead. His shot had hit at the same time Nazareli had released the knife, knocking her aim off target.

“I just can’t help thinking that if you hadn’t shot her, you’d be dead. I nearly lost you.”

His hold on her tightened to the point of pain and she felt his lips press against her hair. “I’m sorry I frightened you.”

That was her Drew, apologising for scaring her when he was the one with a knife wound to the chest. “You don’t have to apologise, Drew. You came for me.”

“I’ll always come for you, Mara. As long as you want me, I’m yours.”

Mara thought on his words as she cuddled closer. As long as she wanted him. Just the words he used proved how well he knew her. He didn’t say he’d come for her as long as he wanted her. He was once again giving her a choice. Letting her know he understood what she’d been through.

“What do you think will happen to Nazareli now?”

The shot Drew had fired had been non-lethal and she was now being held at some top-secret black site that only Eidolon knew about. Mara found it difficult to keep up with it all.

“Jack and Zin will question her and get what information they can.”

“Do you think Rhea will come after us again?” Rhea Winslow had gotten away. Her men had shielded her, many of them dying in the process.

“Undoubtedly. It’s a risk for all of us but especially Lucy, Lizzie, and Meg now we know why she wants them.”

“Look alive.”

Mara and Drew looked to the door as Doc, Dane, and Lauren walked in, the latter tossing her husband a beleaguered look at his words. Doc walked to the bottom of the bed and picked up the chart. Flipping through it he scanned the readings. She’d done the same thing after every obs check, wanting reassurance Drew was okay.

“How am I looking, Doc?”

Doc Turner looked at Drew over the top of his reading glasses and smiled. “Like you shouldn’t be taking up a much-needed bed in this hospital.”

Drew angled his head and grinned at her and she felt her toes curl in reaction. That look, that face was loved by her, it almost hurt how much she loved him.

“Thank fuck for that.” Dane sighed and Lauren slipped her arm around him, cuddling into his body.

“Poor baby, are you tired from standing watch over my healing brother?”

Mara noticed the love between them as Dane looked down at his wife, his expression the same one he’d worn at their wedding. “Well, now that you mention it, a nap does sound good.”

Lauren laughed at his leer and Drew made gagging noises as Dane kissed his wife.

“Let me speak to the doctors and see if we can get you home.”

By home they meant the Cunningham Estate. It had been decided that with Drew still healing it was too dangerous for him to go back to his flat. A flat that in the short time she’d stayed there, had been home. At the Estate he’d at least get support and care from Doc.

Mara’s parents had wanted her to go home to them but that had also been deemed too risky, so she’d go to the Estate with Drew. It was where she wanted and needed to be. The reunion with her parents had been difficult with many tears and lots of anger, both towards Brayden and themselves for not knowing. She’d cried too, not wanting them to blame themselves for what he’d done.

Doc left and as he did Lauren leaned in to look at the wound on Drew’s chest. “We should have that gone with a couple of sessions.”

Mara now knew Lauren was a healer, and Jace could read minds. Similarly, she’d discovered Celeste could also read minds if she touched someone, Zin had some sort of super-strength, and Roz’s kids could self-ignite. It was all fantastical and strange being surrounded by these amazing people, but the gift the sisters shared was the most amazing.

After she’d told him of her conversation with Rhea, Drew had told her about the gifts and why Rhea had wanted Lucy, Lizzie, and Meg. Individually, the girls didn’t have gifts but when they came together, they could somehow form a protective barrier for those around them. It was something they’d only recently discovered themselves, due to Meg being separated from them for so long.