Page 36 of Ruthless Love

I've been holding it together well.

Until now.

When I see them, I push up from my seat, and run to them. Their arms around me hold me together. Especially when I feel as if I'm going to collapse into a puddle on the floor. "Thank you all for being here."

"There's no other place we'd be," Char says, rubbing my back. "Would you like for us to pray?"

Glancing around at the waiting room, I see the amount of officers who are there for my husband. It gives me pause and causes my throat to catch. Before I can say anything, Cain's dad, Coleman, cuts through the group. "I think we'd all appreciate that."

He comes over to where I'm standing, dragging me up into a hug. We haven't always been super close, but he's constantly been there when Cain and I need him. Much more than my parents or Cain's mom has. He's been a steady presence. "Thank you for coming," I whisper as we hug.

"Couldn't keep me away, lost years off my life."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you." I wipe at my tears as we break apart.

"It's okay. He needs you here. But let's say that prayer. I think we all need it."

Holding his hand, I bow my head, and together we ask that God allow the man who means so much to us to make it through.

And tacked onto the end? I ask that he allow me to fix what's broken between us.

TWENTY-EIGHT

CAIN

"Thank you."I say politely as Marissa helps me get out of the bed. She hands me crutches and then stands to the side as I test my footing. Walking with this cast has been the most annoying thing about being hurt. It itches, and I can't take a shower without a complicated mix of a garbage bag and my wife holding on to one side of my body. It's fucking embarrassing.

"You're welcome, but try not to overdo it. I know how you are, and I know that you desperately want to get out of this hospital. Promise me you're not going to push it. The cast won't make things easy, and having a setback won't be hard."

She knows me better than anyone, and I find it hard to be honest. "You know me, Ris. I don't do well laying in a bed all day."

"I know," she fusses. "But you've been shot. You just got home from the hospital, and you're looking at some physical therapy."

Securing one of the crutches under my arm, I reach forward to grab her hand. "But I'm alive." I remind her. "Anything else is just collateral damage of what gets me back to work."

"I hear what you're saying, Cain, but you've gotta be patient."

Fuck being patient, and fuck this cast, too. "I'm thankful I'm alive..."

"Doesn't seem so much like it, Cain. Maybe you need to think about why you're so upset, and why you're so frustrated."

I make a noise in the back of my throat. "That's not something I need to think about, Ris. I know all of it. I'm pissed off at the fucker who put me here, and that situation can go fuck itself."

"So much use of the word fuck," she smirks.

I reach forward, cupping her neck in my palm. "There are many other things I can do with the word fuck. Would you like for me to give you a presentation?"

She's quiet. Her tongue reaches out, licking her dry lips. "No, but maybe tomorrow I'll head to the shop and give us some time apart."

I give her a look. "Or we could go to bed and see what we can do to work this tension out." When I make a move to head that way, she follows. Like the good little girl, she is.

Marissa

It feels like years since I've been at Enchanted Chapters. Hollie and Katie have taken care of it for me. They both deserve so much more than I've been able to give them.

Over the past few weeks, I've been busy taking care of Cain, shuttling him back and forth to PT, taking him to the shooting range to make sure he can handle the kickback and everything in between. We've made it, all of us.

When I walk into the shop, I'm almost overcome with emotions. Everyone from book club is gathered in the front, and they yellsurpriseas I walk in. The tears come fast and furious as they rush in, gathering me up in a group hug.

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