Page 116 of Perfect Order
Renee frowns down at me. So, I fill in a little more detail than what she learned in the conference room a few days ago before Leanne was kidnapped at her sister’s gravesite. “I’m not certain I can forgive myself. Look at what happened,” I croak out.
“Kane, people in love fight. And yes—some of them cause permanent damage. The true measure of a relationship is how you handle what happens next. Speaking as a bystander…”
I snort.
Her lips curve briefly. “I didn’t say I was an objective one. But nevertheless, both of you ran—you, emotionally, Leanne, physically. Why?”
I open my mouth to respond, but I don’t owe this woman the answers. It’s the still body on the bed who deserves them. When I say as much to Renee, she tosses me Leanne’s smile. I can’t say it isn’t disconcerting and heart-wrenching because the woman I want it from is motionless except for her chest rising up and down.
Renee drops into the seat across from me and runs her hand over Leanne’s hair. “Did she ever tell you about the time she wiped out our mortgage and rearranged her father’s stock portfolio?”
Amusement laces my voice when I lift Leanne’s fingers to kiss them. “When was this?”
“It was her high school graduation present to us. She said her father needed the help with both of his daughters going off to pricey universities.”
I bark out a laugh. “That sounds just like her.”
“I thought Frank was going to strangle her,” Renee reminisces fondly. “I have to say it’s such a relief to know she’s finally met a man willing to take care of her, even if she doesn’t need it. No one else ever has, you see.”
And reflected back at me, I find a woman who has been tested by the best and the absolute worst and still is willing to open her heart to love. It’s humbling. “I have a lot to make up for.”
“There’s a lot of tomorrows. And even if there’s not, then make today count. God knows she and her sister are the ones who taught me that.” She opens her mouth to continue, but there’s a groan from the bed. Leanne twists her head from side to side, moaning as she gets her bearings. Her eyelashes flicker as delicate as angel’s wings. And in that instant when her pain-filled eyes lock on mine, I realize there’s a secret no one shares about love. From second to second, it can change. It can flutter between hope or despair, laughter or tears, but until you’re caught in its wings, experience the flight of your heart soaring, you’ll never understand the undiluted emotions with it are never to be found anywhere else.
We both hold our breath as Leanne licks her lips before she rasps out, “How did I teach you that, Mom?” Dark blue eyes flick over and find her mother’s as she tries to pull her hands away. I just tighten my fingers. Judging by the frustration that crosses her face, I’m certain Renee does the same.
“Oh, Leanne.” Renee lifts her daughter’s hand before lowering the bed rail. She perches on the edge of the bed and presses both of their hands against her heart. “There aren’t enough apologies…”
“Mom, right now, I need a phone. Give me just a few minutes, please?” Leanne’s voice is cool. Even with her chest likely on fire from where Messenia’s bullet pounded against the Kevlar, she hasn’t hit the magic pump ready to dispense the painkiller. She’sQ?za, needing to ensure everyone and everything around her is safe.
I can’t help but jump in. “Crash, it’s okay.” Renee slips from the room to give us privacy.
Her eyes jerk to mine. “A phone, Kane. I just need two minutes.” Her anxiety causes her blood pressure to rise.
“Shit, fine. Any minute they’re going to boot us out of here if you don’t calm down.” I whip mine out of my pocket and hand it to her.
She immediately begins dialing. I hear her spew out a code before demanding an odd combination of items. Once she hears whatever she does from the responses on the other end, her body sinks into the bed relaxing. Her eyes mist over even as she tosses the phone back in my direction. “It’s done. It’s truly done.”
“What did you just ask Thorn to confirm?”
She sputters, “How did you know…?”
“It’s a long story. He was staking out your place. He came to Hudson. By the way, did you know Sam was your contact inside of Hudson? You should have seen Thorn barking out orders that sent a stick up Keene’s ass.” I smile crookedly at her.
She gapes at me. “For real?”
I nod, pressing her fingers between both of my hands. Then I break down. “God, when I saw that gun, I thought I’d never have the chance to hold you again.”
“Kane,” she starts, but I stop her.
I begin. “I was wrong, and it could have cost you your life. You ran.”
“I ran because—”
“Crash, just listen, please?” She acquiesces. “You ran because you didn’t believe you had anyone to trust in despite my promise to you—beyond trust. Right?”
“That’s how it was supposed to be. Absolute trust.” She winces when she shifts in her bed, turning her head away.
“Over the last six months, I’ve been working with a trauma therapist. He’s helped me put into perspective the events of what happened—with Gene, with my career ending, and what caused the trigger to ignite that day when you came to me.”
