Page 40 of Comforted By The Mountain Man
“Where’s Asher?” I whisper.
Taking Ryder, he instantly lays his head on her shoulder. I stare, confirming he isn’t injured. I ran my hands under his clothes.
“He’s okay,” Grace says gently. “I’m going to help him take a bath.”
My head shakes frantically. “No. I can’t lose sight of him.” Keeping my hands against Ryder’s back, I look Beckett in the eye. “Tell me.”
Beckett steps closer, running his hand over my son’s head. “We were pinned down. Needed a clear out. Asher demanded we get Ryder back.”
“Where is he, Beckett?” I demand, tears streaming down my face.
“We wouldn’t have gotten out without him holding them back.”
“Where is he?” I scream, losing composure.
“Ryder, honey, Daddy’s on his way but your mama needs to speak grown-up things with the brothers. Okay?” Grace waits for Ryder to nod. “We’re right inside, Sierra. He needs to rest.”
I stare into her bright green eyes, knowing my outburst is only going to distress Ryder more. Logically, I know they’ll be safe inside.
“I’ll go inside with them,” West offers.
West, the more charismatic of the seven brothers. He’ll distract Ryder. I nod.
Grace, my son, and West head inside. My lungs aren’t working properly. I stare at the remaining Hunters, waiting for someone to tell me what the hell is happening.
“His phone is still at the location,” Grayson informs. “That doesn’t mean anything. During the fight, it probably fell.” My body starts shaking.
“Asher isn’t reckless by nature,” Ezra says, his voice quiet, his presence carrying the usual heavy darkness. “He’s probably on his way back now.”
“What if he got hurt?” I ask. “Or worse?” I slap a hand over my mouth. “I haven’t told him,” I cry. “He told me but I didn’t get to say it back.”
Nash takes me in his arms as I lose it. “I didn’t get to say it back!” My knees buckle. Only Nash’s arms are holding me up and I keep chanting the same thing over and over.
I knew I loved him. Even when I thought I was simply falling, the truth was, I was already in love. I was just scared to admit it to myself. Just when I believed in love and happy endings for me and my son, life rips it away before I get to cherish it?
It doesn’t make sense. Not with how little time we’ve had together but I can’t picture my days without him in them. I’m so lost in already grieving, I miss the sound of an incoming vehicle.
“Thank fuck,” I hear grunted.
“Hey,” Nash says softly, nudging me to look up.
Looking over my shoulder, my heart stops, then flares back to life.
Limping out of the passenger seat of a police vehicle, Asher holds his side. Grayson reaches him first, checking his injuries as Nash and Holden speak to the officer who drove.
I’m frozen on the spot, staring, scared to believe he’s really here, scared he’s injured and should be at a hospital. Then his eyes find mine and lock in. Those eyes release the hold fear has on my body and I sprint toward this man, not bothering to holdback the sob when I crash into his arms, which tighten around me.
“Baby, I’m here. I’m so sorry for making you worry,” he whispers into my hair. “I’m okay, Brown Eyes. Don’t cry.”
Pulling my face back, I take his bearded jaw in my hands. He’s got dirt, cuts, and sweat everywhere, and yet, he’s the most beautiful man in the world. Pulling my body closer, if that’s even possible, he drops his forehead on mine.
“I’m in love with you, Asher Hunter,” I finally confess.
His eyes close, exhaling.
“I’m sorry I didn’t say it sooner,” I whisper through tears.
“I love you,” he says, opening his eyes, looking deeply into mine. “Brown Eyes, I promise to always come home to you. You and our boy, both.”
