Page 110 of No Mistake

“I’m sorry, Ryan. I’m so sorry.”

“Hey, come here.” Ryan held out his hand, alarmed to see her so upset.

Sophie didn’t move.

“Honey, please.”

Hesitantly, she moved toward him. Ryan took hold of her hand seeing her eyes were moist.

“You have nothing to be sorry for.”

“You’re hurt because of me.” Averting her eyes, she looked down at her hand in his.

“No, Sophie. I got hurt doing my job. It happens. This isn’t on you. You got kidnapped because of my job. I should be apologizing to you.”

“You got hurt because you helped with Chloe. If you hadn't come to the hospital that day, you wouldn’t be here. So yes, this is my fault and it almost cost you your life.”

Ryan squeezed her hand harder, tugging her closer, making her look up at him. Those beautiful blue eyes were swimming in tears, making them glisten. She looked pale and exhausted, and he was tempted to pull her down beside him and hold her, but fuck it, everything hurt way too much.

“If it wasn’t Chloe, it would have been someone else. Look, I can’t tell you everything about the work that I do, but considering the men that were involved, there was every chance I would have been part of this regardless of me knowing you. And if I had to do it again, I would. Chloe’s safe, your safe, the other hostages are safe. That’s all that matters, and this”—he gestured to his battered face and bandaged stomach— “will heal in no time and I’ll be as good as new.”

Sophie gently shook her head. “When I knew you’d been hurt...” The tears spilled over, rolling down her cheeks.

“Hey. I’m fine. You know there are these wonderful people called doctors who can always put me back together.” He smiled. “And while I didn’t have my favorite doctor working on me, I think they did a pretty good job.”

“God, how can you be so relaxed and flippant about this? You could have died.” She was shaking her head, tears streaming.

Letting go of her hand, he reached up and cupped her cheek, ignoring the pain it caused him.

“I’m not being flippant. I’m well aware I could have died. But I didn’t and I’m damn grateful, so I choose to focus on being alive, not what might have happened. I’m here and I’m going to be fine, and more importantly, you’re here. Dammit, Sophie, you’re all I can think about.”

She bit her lip, watching him, and he stifled a groan as blood raced to his groin.

“You’re such a beautiful sight. Even when you’re crying.”

He was rewarded with a small smile.

“How bad does it hurt?”

“Not that bad right now,” he lied. “The pain meds are working.”

He watched her gaze trail down his naked chest to his bandaged abdomen, then back up again. “You were lucky. The knife didn’t hit anything vital.”

Yeah, the fucker had wanted him to die slowly from blood loss.

“Yes, everything’s good in there.”

“I hear of these things happening. Hostages, terrorism. But this, being in it... It just... well... made it really real. Right here. Minutes from our homes.”

Ryan understood that all too well. Most people had no idea what was going on in their own backyard. They only saw what the media let them see. People went about their daily lives ignorant to the terror, wars, drugs, trafficking, and God knows what else happening all around them. Not knowing wasn’t a bad thing. It’s why he did what he did. To try and make the world a little safer for everyone.

“You see a lot of it in your job. Chloe does, too. Both of you are better prepared to handle this than most people. You’re lucky to have each other. And you have me.”

“I just wished I’d acted sooner. Hadn’t waited so long when Chloe didn’t call or text back. Maybe none of this would have happened.”

“Sophie, don’t. There’s always going to be ‘what ifs’. Stop analyzing it and just be happy you’re both safe. Focus on now and moving forward. And if you can spare some time, focus on me.” He patted the bed. “Sit with me? Unless you have to get back to Chloe?”

Sophie sat. “No, she’s sleeping right now.”

---