Page 60 of Echoes of Danger

“Well, baby? Do you see me?”

Tears well in my eyes as he sits on the side of my bed and takes my hand.

“Yeah,” I cry. “Yeah, I see you, Jacob. I never thought I’d get the chance to tell you how much I loved you.”

Jacob’s grip tightens around my hand, his thumb brushing over my skin in a soothing rhythm. The emotion in his eyes mirrors mine. Deep, raw, and full of all the words we’ve yet to say. For a moment, we just sit there in silence, the only sound the faint beeping of the heart monitor beside the bed.

“I’ve been right here the whole time,” he says softly, his voice hoarse, as if the weight of the last few days is still pressing down on him. “I never left. And I never will.”

I nod, tears slipping down my cheeks. It’s overwhelming to hear him say that. I want to be strong for him, for Eli, but the sheer force of everything that’s happened makes it hard to breathe, hard to think clearly.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “I’m sorry for everything. For… for putting you through this. For dragging you into my mess.”

Jacob’s face softens as he leans closer, his forehead resting against mine. “Don’t apologize, Del. You didn’t drag me anywhere. I’m here because Ichooseto be. I’ve chosen you, every part of you, the good, the bad, and everything in between. And I’ll keep choosing you every damn day.”

I want to respond, to tell him how much I love him, how much he means to me, but the words get tangled in my throat. Instead, I lean into him, letting the warmth of his body settle into mine. He’s here, and that’s all that matters.

“I’m scared, Jacob,” I confess, my voice barely a whisper. “I don’t know how to move forward from this. I don’t know what’s waiting for me on the other side.”

His fingers gently lift my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. “You don’t have to know right now. All we have to do is take it one step at a time. We’ll figure it out together. I’m not going anywhere. Not ever.”

A soft sob escapes my chest, and Jacob pulls me into his arms, wrapping me in the kind of warmth I’ve been craving since this nightmare started. I let myself fall apart for a moment, releasing everything I’ve been holding in. The fear, the anger, the confusion. And for the first time in what feels like forever, I allow myself to justfeel.

When the sobs finally slow, I pull back slightly to look at him, searching his eyes for any sign of doubt. There’s none.

“I love you,” I say, my voice stronger now. “More than I thought I could love anyone.”

He smiles softly, brushing the tears from my cheeks. “I love you too, Freckles. And I’ll spend the rest of my life showing you just how much.”

In this moment, I realize that no matter what happens next, no matter what demons we still have to face or what obstacles are thrown our way, I have everything I need right here.

Jacob spends the next several minutes telling me everything about how Paston and my high school principal were working together. How, for some reason, Paston chose my picture when Mr. Honiker sold his student's information to that sick man. It’s all too much, but I need to hear it all. So, I listen.

“Our daughter is being homeschooled,” I say after he’s finished.

“Agreed,” Jacob nods. “Now, kiss me, baby. I hear our son talking the doctor's head off. They’ll be here any second.”

I’m still smiling by the time Jacob’s lips touch mine.

“I love you, baby,” he says against my mouth. “So, fucking much.”

“I love you, too,” I whisper back. “Thank you for saving us.”

He presses a few soft kisses to my lips before pulling back.

“You and Steel were saving yourselves,” he smiles. “I owe that man my life. I owe him everything for keeping you safe.”

My son walks into the room with the doctor, and I spend the next several hours answering questions, medical testing, more questions from the police, and more testing.

***

The police apparently found Paston and his son dead at some property they owned a few hours away, along with a list of names and a written confession from Paston himself. I told the police everything up to the point of me shooting Paston. I never mentioned Jacob and the other men arriving.

We talked beforehand, so I was prepared.

The doctor who helped us and his granddaughter were never brought up either. Ghost told me that they’re back to living their lives, and it’s best if we kept them out of it.

The police knew there were holes in my story, but they didn’t question me further. They’re probably just grateful they get to take down some huge crime group.

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