Page 75 of Saved from Deception

I snuggle into his side experimentally. Leaning against Rylan’s firm muscles? A little uncomfortable on my bruises, but a much larger balm to my heart. So I give my weight to him, sighing at the rightness of it. “How long was I asleep?”

“A few hours. Definitely enough time for you to take another pill.”

Since I have some pressing needs in the bathroom, the horrific taste in my mouth being only one of them, and my arm really is aching, I agree. “Okay. And maybe some toast? Water?”

“Of course.” Rylan slides out of bed, still watching me worriedly. “Will you be alright alone?”

If someone had asked me that six months ago, I would have laughed at them. But considering I’ve been clinging to Rylan’s hand for the last—I glance at the clock, it’s past noon—twelve hours, it’s not an unreasonable question.

“I’ll be alright,” I reassure him. “I have to take care of a few things in the bathroom, anyway.”

“If you need anything,” he says as he slowly backs toward the door, “or you feel light-headed, sick, anything, call out.”

“I will.” I won’t. Not unless I’m literally sprawled on the floor.

I’m not calling for help in the bathroom.

Although my legs are a little unsteady. But I make my way to the bathroom, brush my teeth twice, tame my hair into something that doesn’t resemble a bird’s nest, and manage to wash my face one-handedly.

The normalcy of it all steadies me. When we first got home, I was so tired and overwhelmed and everything was so intense, I couldn’t think past it. But now, brushing my hair, inspecting the bruise on my cheek—not broken, just badly bruised, thankfully—I feel a little more like myself again.

By the time I go back into the bedroom, Rylan has an entire tray of food set up on the bed for me. Not just toast, but a bowl of cut fruit, two types of muffins, juice, water, and coffee. And a little bouquet of flowers in a glass vase: carnations and tulips and daisies.

I look at him in surprise. “Where did all of this come from?”

“Maya and Elle.” Rylan gives me a sheepish smile. “They stopped by while you were asleep. I would have gotten it all myself, but I didn’t want to leave you, so I texted them instead.”

“Oh. Thank you. I love it.” Another fracture from yesterday starts to heal.

He kisses me on my unbruised cheek. “I’m taking the next two weeks off to spend with you. Spoil you, give you foot rubs, buy you gifts, whatever you want.”

“Oh, Ry.” I carefully hug him around the tray, brushing my lips across his. “You don’t have to, but I’m so glad you are.”

I’m still trying to untangle my thoughts about everything, but knowing he’ll be right here every day is a huge relief.

Even though my stomach feels too small to eat, I nibble on some fruit and a muffin until I don’t feel hunger pangs anymore. Rylan helps by distracting me, showing me YouTube videos on his phone—cute animals doing adorable things that you’d have to be a robot not to enjoy.

It’s only when I’m done eating that I dredge up the courage to ask the questions that have been percolating since I woke up.

“What’s going to happen to him?”

Rylan tenses, his gaze jumping to mine, darkening with concern. “Do you want to talk about this now? It can wait if you’re not ready.”

My stomach lurches, and for a second I think maybe I’m not ready, but I’ll keep wondering and worrying if I don’t get the answers. “I need to know.”

Sighing, Rylan moves the tray to the dresser and rejoins me on the bed, settling down beside me. I snuggle into him, tucking my head under his chin. Thankfully, the pain pill is kicking in, so my bruises don’t hurt as much when I lean against him.

“Okay.” He takes my hand again. “Cole called while you were sleeping with an update. Holmes is being arraigned this afternoon.”

“Is that his last name?”

“Yes.” He bites out the word, little muscles in his jaw working. “He’s being arraigned on charges of first degree assault and kidnapping. So he won’t be getting out of prison for a long time.”

A sigh gusts out. “Okay.”

Rylan continues, “Morgan is back in custody. Tex tracked her to Ohio. So that’s good news, now the judge will deny bail and she’ll be in prison for longer.”

I throw him a startled look. “She violated her house arrest?”

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