Page 101 of Guarding Bristol

Chapter Thirty-Eight

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TJ took a step backas Cassie came out onto the front doorstep.She shut the door behind her and folded her arms across her chest, barring the entrance.“So, you are alive.”

He got the distinct feeling she wasn’t too happy about that.“Yeah.”He looked up at the second-floor windows through the veil of rain.Wondered if Bristol was up there.“She here?”

“Maybe.What are you doing here?”Cassie demanded, her voice just above a whisper.

He looked at her.“I need to see her.”

“What for?Because from where I’m standing, you’ve donemorethan enough damage already.”

Guilt pierced him.“Is she all right?”

Cassie’s stare was so cold it burned.He could practically feel the tips of his ears starting to sizzle.It was amazing he wasn’t incinerated under the force of the glare she was giving him.“What do you think?”

No, of course she wasn’t okay.“Is she hurt?”They’d told him she was fine, physically.But he needed to know for sure.

“She’s been frantic about you.Do you understand?Frantic.Even after everything she went through today, all she was worried about was you.Because no one at the DEA would tell her anything.She’s been sitting here for the past twelve hours without knowing whether you were alive or dead.In all that time, you couldn’t even have someone send her a single message to let her know you’re alive?What the hell iswrongwith you?”

“I would have called her myself if I could have.They had me in debriefings and meetings until thirty minutes ago, and everything’s under wraps because the investigation’s still active.I didn’t want to tell her over the phone.That’s why I’m here.”

She raised a dark eyebrow.“For how long?”

He opened his mouth.Closed it.Because she was tough as hell, and if he told her a lie right now, he was pretty sure she would knock his front teeth out.“For as long as I have.”

A hard, humorless smile curled her mouth.One that told him he’d just confirmed her opinion that he was a piece of shit.“Nice.After all she did for you.After the lengths she went to just to help you, and everything she went through today, you’re just gonna show up, use her again—”

“I didn’t use her,” he snapped, his temper slipping.He got that Cassie was trying to protect Bristol, but he didn’t appreciate the gatekeeper role right now.“I wouldn’t do that.I care about her, okay?More than I’ve cared about anyone in...Ever,” he finished.“If I could go back and undo what happened, I would.I would never have left her alone if I’d thought she was in immediate danger.Why do you think I went after her out there?I would have traded mylifeto protect her.”It was true.He’d gone out to that boat willing to die as long as it meant saving her.

Cassie’s stare thawed, and her posture lost its defensive edge.“That’s good to know,” she said quietly.

Good, because he was done with this conversation.The need to see Bristol was a burning coal under his ribcage, searing a hole in the center of his chest.“I need to see her.”

“Cass?Is someone here?”Bristol’s muffled voice called from somewhere upstairs.

Cassie’s lips compressed.Then she sighed and shook her head at him.“You hurt her now, I’ll rip your heart out.”She walked past him toward the street, knocking him with her shoulder on the way by.

He wasn’t forgiven, but she had grudgingly accepted that he wasn’t leaving without seeing Bristol.

He walked through the front door, locked it behind him.Didn’t notice a single thing about the layout or interior of the place, because Bristol appeared on the staircase in front of him.

She stopped halfway down it, wearing a robe, her hair up in a bun, no glasses.His heart did a painful roll.He opened his mouth to say something, but she made a choked sound and rushed at him.

TJ caught her, pulled her tight to his chest, relief flooding his body so hard and fast he felt dizzy.“Hey, Slugger.”

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