Page 149 of Play Pretend

“We should go,” I agreed. “I won’t be able to rest unless a doctor thoroughly checks you out.”

Her smile seemed forced, but she nodded. “You’ll stay with me?”

“Every second,” I vowed, pressing my lips to her forehead. “I’m not going anywhere, baby.”

For a moment, I thought she was going to pull away, that I was moving too quickly. But then she melted into me, and my arms tightened around her.

Everything after that was a blur of statements, tears, and anger. Willow reluctantly went to the hospital, and after an hour of being poked and prodded, we left. Physically, she was fine. A little beaten up, but nothing serious.

But I could see the lingering fear in her eyes, the exhaustion weighing heavily on her as she stared out the window. Our fingers were laced together, and I knew I was squeezing too tight, but I couldn’t let go.

Even when we pulled up to our house—our house—I couldn’t let go of her. I couldn’t move. She stared at the house too, the same way she had after the break-in. My heart shattered at the emptiness in her gaze, at the way her lips trembled as she pressed them together.

He’d tormented her—us—for weeks. He was the one breaking into homes and stealing seemingly random objects, but they weren’t random to him. They were items for his future home with Willow.

Just the thought of how fucked up his logic was made me sick.

I thought when I caught the burglar, I’d feel a sense of satisfaction, of peace, but I didn’t. If anything, the only thing I felt was dread pooling in the pit of my stomach. Even if Toby promised that Braydon wouldn’t be let out for a long time, I knew there was no way of knowing that for sure. Not yet, anyway.

And if he was out on the streets again—I shook myself. I couldn’t let myself think about that right now.

My hand was still wrapped around the steering wheel, my knuckles white. I glanced at Willow again.

“Ready to go in?” I murmured, my voice somehow too loud. She didn’t say anything. She didn’t even move. “Baby?”

“He had a gun,” she whispered. My throat went dry at the words, and my hand tightened around hers. It was so small, so fragile, but it was the only thing tethering us together right now. “I thought I was going to die.”

“I would’ve never let that happen,” I said tightly.

Finally, she looked at me, and the expression on her face nearly undid me. Something thick was wedged in my throat, choking me, and my pulse pounded in my ears. I wanted to promise her that she was safe now, but I knew she wouldn’t believe it.

A part of me didn’t believe it, either.

What was I supposed to do? I wanted to hold her, pull her to me, but what if she didn’t want that? What if she wanted space?

But then she clicked her seatbelt off and slid toward me. Slowly. Hesitantly. That was all I needed—I moved to her, cupping her face gently, my thumb ghosting over the mark on her cheek.

“You’re home,” I said softly. “You’re safe. I’m here.”

She took a shuddering breath, her body trembling. Willow threw herself at me, her arms wrapping tightly around my neck. She didn’t sob, she didn’t wail. She did nothing but cling to me.

She fisted my shirt as I buried my face in her neck, inhaling deeply. “I’ve got you,” I murmured, and she moved impossibly closer.

“You always do,” she rasped. “Thank you for coming for me tonight. For saving me…again.”

I smiled, but it was sad. “I told you I’ll always come for you. I’ll always protect you.”

She pulled away to look at me. “You could’ve been hurt.”

I smoothed her hair from her face. “I’d happily give my life for you, Willow.”

Her eyes squeezed shut as she shook her head. “Don’t say that,” she whispered. “Don’t even think it.” Gently, she rested her forehead against mine, breathing deeply. “I don’t know what I’d do if I ever lost you. You’re—you’re my everything, Ro.”

My arms were tight around her. We clung to each other, our heartbeats falling into sync. Her body was warm, and—whole.

Safe.

She was finally safe.

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