Page 93 of Love Finds Home

I nod.

“I…I just. Oh, God, is he dead?” Ginny gasps for air, her face a mask of worry and panic.

I look away from Ranger long enough to look out the window. And there’s no doubt in my mind that the man is dead.

“What answer will make you feel better?” I ask Ginny, turning away from the rain pelting my face through the opening in the wall.

“Tell me the bastard is dead, Elle. Please tell me the fucker will never do that again.”

I pull her into a hug, both of us squeezing tight. “He’s dead. The fucker will never do that again.”

“Too soon, bitch,” Ginny replies, trying to hold in a laugh. “Too fucking soon.”

“Tink?” Ranger asks from behind us. “Tell me you’re okay.”

Ginny lets me go, and I fall into his waiting arms, the enormity of what just happened hitting me all at once, and the floodgates open. The tears can’t be stopped. The body wracking sobs. And through it all, Ranger never loosens his hold on me. I know it’s going to be a long night and I have a lot of information to tell the people who need to know, but all I want is to curl up in Ranger’s arms and never leave again.

Chapter 32

Ranger

I pick up Elleand carry her out of the studio. She’s sobbing into my chest, her arms wrapped around me so tight, I don’t think she’ll ever let go. And I’m okay with that. More than okay. The relief I felt hearing her voice from the other side of the door was tangible in the air. Feeling her in my arms, being able to see for myself that she was unhurt, soothed the frayed edges of my nerves.

I walk down the stairs to the shop where chaos has erupted. Everyone and their brother are there. Well, brothers. Davis and Tiny are at the front of the shop, the worry on their faces relaxing a little when they see Elle in my arms.

“Ginny?” Davis asks.

“She’s coming,” I assure him. “She’s fine. Physically.” I hope my words convey the enormity of what went on up there and he’s prepared.

I sit down in my chair and adjust Elle on my lap.

“Elle? Baby, it’s alright,” I soothe, running my hand up and down her back. “I’ve got you, okay?”

“Don’t let me go,” she hiccups into my neck.

“Never,” I promise.

“I…” she starts and stops. “He…” she tries again. “Sister…”

“Shh,” I tell her. “Take your time.”

“You called me baby.”

“What?”

“You called me baby on the phone. And just now. You never call me baby.”

I chuckle, shrugging my shoulders. “What can I say? It just came out.”

“I like it. So much better than Tink.”

“Oh, Elle. Tink’s not going away.”

She laughs on the edge of a sob. “I know.”

“And please,” I beg, “never call me Jonny again?”

“That I can agree too. I hated even saying it, but I thought…”

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