Page 44 of Why Not Me?

Nodding, I don’t give them a second glance as I head into her room.

Shutting the door behind me, I can’t tear my eyes off Allie. I feel sick to my stomach when I see the scrapes on her face and the defeated look in her eyes.

The guilt I feel is making me sick. If I wasn’t so late she wouldn’t have been in that park and this wouldn’t have happened to her.

“I’m so sorry, Allie.” Sitting on the bed, I take her hand and run my thumb over her knuckles, biting back tears when I flip her hand over and see the bruising on her palm. There are little dents where pebbles dug into her palm.

She closes her eyes, swallowing hard. When she meets my gaze again, tears have filled her eyes and her lips are quivering. “Where were you? Why didn’t you call?” Her voice is tired, angry, hurt. A myriad of emotions letting me know I’ve disappointed her.

It makes sense that she would ask that. I was just thinking the same thing, but it hurts that those are the first words out of her mouth. I let her down in the worst kind of way.

“My appointment ran long, and then I had a plumbing issue at the clinic. I should have called. I’m so sorry I didn’t.” I reach out to tuck a hair behind her ear, freezing when she flinches. “Allie, I’m never going to hurt you.” My voice is low, earnest, holding a tinge of pain.

“I know that.” She licks her lips, wiping at her eyes.

“Do you? Because I reached out to tuck hair behind your ear and you flinched.” I drop my hand to my lap.

“Landon, it’s going to take me a while to get over this. I was almost raped. I have four fractured ribs and a mild concussion. And my body is bruised from head to toe,” she snaps at me, pulling her hand away and crossing her arms. The move is so defensive, it cuts deep that she feels the need to protect herself from even me.

Then her words sink in.

“Brendan said you were attacked.” I force the next words out. “Not that you were almost raped.” I can feel the blood drain from my face, the reality of the situation sinking in.

She drops her arms from their defensive position. Reaching out, she grabs my arm and pulls me down to lay next to her.

“I think we need to not think about it right now. I just want you to hold me, I feel like I’m about to fall apart.” She tucks her face into my chest, her body trembling. “I don’t want to fight with you.”

I hug her to me, holding her to me as tight as I can without hurting her. “I don’t know why words are coming out wrong. The thought of you being hurt makes me crazy.”

“I was so scared, Landon. It’s obvious he’s done this before, there was a method to how he intentionally kept my face pinned and in a way so I couldn’t see him.” She shudders, burrowing into me more, wincing. “I can stillfeelhim against me.”

We hold on to each other. I know the physical wounds will heal, but I look into her eyes and I see the emotional and mental toll she’s struggling with. Her work is no longer a safe place, her town is no longer a safe place, and how does she get past that?

Rage fills me as I think about the person that did this to her. It boggles my mind that anyone could possibly think that’s okay. What’s even worse is that he’s still out there, stalking his next prey.

The room is quiet except for the sounds of the medical machinery. Allie’s arms are tight around me, it’s like she’s trying to soak up my warmth. She doesn’t know it, but she’s holding me together just as much as I’m holding her together.

She tucks her head under my chin, cuddling up as close as possible.

“Please don’t leave me,” she sighs out.

“I won’t,” I promise.

Her breathing grows deeper, evening out as she falls asleep in my arms.

I wake up, groggy as I tune in to Landon having a heated argument with my nurse.

“I don’t care about hospital policy. She asked me not to leave her, so I’m staying. Unless you want to wake her up and explain to her that she needs to spend the night alone after being attacked.” Landon’s arms are still around me, his muscles flexing as he hisses at her.

“Sir, unless you’re listed as family or her spouse I can’t do anything about it.” The nurse is firm.

Prying my eyes open, I glance at the clock and groan when I realize I’ve only been asleep for an hour.

“Please let him stay. I need him.” My voice is hoarse, my throat on fire.

Groaning, I roll over and attempt to sit up.

Landon practically growls at the poor nurse as I shift on the bed, the lines of fluid swinging as I try not to get tangled.

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