Page 138 of Wilde Abandon

“Never.”He helped her out of the building.

She stopped short and stared at the two cop cars, Mason and Fox’s cars, and the ambulance all clustered in the driveway between an old house and—she turned and looked at the building behind her—yep, a shed.

The paramedics rushed forward and helped her onto a gurney.Fox stayed right beside her, never leaving her side, or letting go, whether he had a hand on her arm or her thigh as the paramedics checked her out and loaded her into the ambulance.

Exhausted, she let sleep carry her away, knowing Fox would take care of everything.He’d watch over her.She would never be alone.Not for the rest of their lives.

Chapter thirty-seven

Melodywokewithagasp, her hands flying up to protect herself against…nothing.She stared up at the ceiling in her apartment because Fox thought she’d be more comfortable at her place.And just like at the hospital each time she’d drifted off, then woken up, when she endured all the questions from the doctors and police, when she’d been hugged and coddled by her family, Fox was there.Right beside her.

He took her hands and leaned over her from his side of the bed so she could see him clearly.“It’s all right, sweetheart.I’m here.You’re safe.”He kissed one palm and then the other.“You’re safe,” he assured her again.

She breathed in, then let out a long exhale to calm her racing heart.One more time.Okay, two.Then three.Finally, she felt settled in reality and calm and the soft glow of the egg-shaped nightlight Fox made Dean run out and get because she didn’t want to be in the dark.“How long did I sleep?”

“A couple of hours.”He’d brought her home from the hospital late this morning.They’d kept her all day yesterday and overnight for observation.She was exhausted, dehydrated, and had a nasty headache from headbutting Amy and Josh, but no serious injuries.Well, except the psychological trauma.And let’s not forget the sore knuckles from punching Amy, and the severely bruised and abraded wrists that Fox rewrapped after he helped her shower because her hands were sore and she was so fatigued.

“What time is it?”

“Closing in on three o’clock.You missed lunch.Hungry?”He set her hands on her stomach, then leaned on his right hand as he stared down at her but didn’t touch her again.

They hadn’t had a lot of time alone to talk.And she’d kind of been out of it at the hospital even when she was awake.There’d been a few minutes here and there where they were alone together, but most of the time, there’d been someone from her family, law enforcement, or the medical staff with them.

Her mom and dad wanted her to go home with them to the ranch to recover.All she’d wanted was to be alone with Fox.

She didn’t want anyone to see her break down.She didn’t want to plaster on a fake smile and pretend everything was all right to ease their minds.

With him, she never had to do that.

And he had been there.He’d seen what that asshole did to her.She didn’t have to explain.

She glanced past him at the laptop he’d set on the bedside table.“Working?”

Distraction, more like it.He’d been silently fuming since he found her.

She didn’t blame him.His mother had betrayed him again.For money this time.

So selfish.So horribly unkind.

That was as nicely as she could put it.Because that fucking bitch deserved everything coming to her.

Tanya had even lied about the severity of her illness.No wonder she never wanted Fox at her appointments.

He’d have been so happy to hear that she was getting better.He’d have hoped for more time to build some kind of relationship with her.

But Tanya killed that hope inside him once and for all.

She’d begged to see him.

He refused every time one of the officers relayed the message.

She’d turned her back on him.Now he had to do the same to save himself any more heartache.

Melody would never forgive her for what she did, how she treated him, and not seeing that she’d be so lucky to have Fox as a friend and ally.

They could have at least been friendly with each other.And Fox would have taken care of her.

Now… His eyes filled with hate and rage and his fists clenched tight any time someone said her name.

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