Page 18 of Second Chance Serenity

So why do I feel so alone the moment he walks out the door?

“I really am okay,” I tell Carter for the hundredth time as he carries in yet another bowl of soup. It’s the third one he’s made me eat since I woke after sleeping nearly all day yesterday and nearly half of today. Honestly, if he keeps feeding me like this, I am going to be sick.

“I don’t know what else to do.” He plops down on the couch beside me.

“You don’t need to do anything,” I tell him as I clasp my hand on his knee. “I promise I’m okay.”

“You could have died.”

“And I didn’t.”

“Because of Michael.”

Just the mere mention of his name brings up a thousand feelings I’d rather leave buried. Especially when the image of his furious expression as he stood, drenched in rain, gun pointed directly at the man, floods into my mind all over again.

I’d been out of it, dazed, but that is one sight I will never forget.

Michael coming to my rescue.

“Because God made sure I wasn’t alone in that parking lot.”

“And He chose Michael to save you.”

“What are you getting at?”

“I don’t like the guy,” Carter says. I don’t point out that they’d been best friends before Michael took off. Just like Margot and I were. Only we’re still close. He and Michael had a massive falling out that led to Carter tracking him down at Fort Benning.

As far as I know, last night at the hospital was the first time they’d seen each other since.

“But he’s always had a torch for you.”

“Good for him. Mine burned out when he left town.” I take a bite of soup.

“I know, but maybe—” He stops talking and takes a deep breath.

“Just spit it out, Carter.”

“Maybe see if he can hang around a bit more. Just until they catch this guy.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Reyna—”

“No, Carter.” Setting my soup aside, I stand. “You have no idea what it felt like,” I tell him. My brother and I have always been close, so being vulnerable with him is as familiar as breathing. “He left me. Walked out without so much as a goodbye.”

“I know that.” Carter stands and crosses over to rest his hands on my shoulders. “But you need someone watching out for you now.”

“I have you. Dad. Mom.”

“You do. And we’ll do anything we need to do to keep you safe.”

“But?” I ask, sensing one coming.

“We’re not trained bodyguards, Reyna. Michael is.”

“So are the others who work at the security firm.”

“Then go to one of them. I’ll pay the bill. You can send it straight to me and I’ll take care of it. But please?—”

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