Page 88 of Come Back To Me

When I see him, his steely eyes scan the room, presumably looking for Travis or another member of the club. Dark purple bruises taint one side of his face and under his neck. I could see them yesterday, but seeing him this close, they appear so much worse. The air I need, I don’t seem to be able to breathe in. The urge to run to him—to hold him in my arms and never let him go, causes tears to fill my eyes.

His head swivels past me, then I see the moment he realises it’s me here. His eyes move back, and I stand slowly, my fingers gripping tightly to the others.

Dropping his shoulders, his head then drops to his chest.

“Move, Carter,” the officer by the door instructs. Dean’s inability to move is causing a bottleneck.

A man pushes past him, knocking him forwards a few steps. Dean doesn’t even look at him. His eyes are now locked with mine. They soften with every small step he takes towards me, the greenness outshining the black the closer he gets.

I can’t stop the tear that trickles down my face. All I can do is stand and wait for him.

When he stops in front of me, his eyes close. His forehead dips to mine, and I lean into the contact. I breath him in, drinkingin the fresh pine I smell every day, even without him around. God, I miss him.

My heart dances when his lips then push to the top of my head. He keeps them there, and as if he needs more of me, his hands slide to either side of my face, scrunching my hair in his fingers.

The touch of them against me releases a million tingling goosebumps to blanket my skin. The sensation makes my breath get caught in my lungs. Before I can freefall into him, Dean tilts my head back. He looks deep into my soul, his thumbs stroking underneath my eyes, wiping away my sadness. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“I needed you.” My voice shakes, but not once do I look away from him.

Letting out a sigh, Dean pulls me into his arms. He holds me tight, and I wrap my arms around him, pulling him as close to me as I physically can. “I’m guessing Mollie put your name on the form?” His hand strokes my hair as he talks.

I smile against him, my eyes closed, feeling well and truly in my safe space. “Don’t be mad.”

Pulling back, he looks down to me, his eyes wider. “I’m furious.” I can tell he is. My arms are still wrapped around him, but I see his eyes look at my bump. “How’s my girl?” he asks softly.

I take his hand in mine and place it across my bump. Gently caressing across my skin, I look down, too. “The baby’s fine,” I say. “I have another scan later this week.”

Dean’s eyes and nose crinkle as he smiles.

Straying my gaze, I look at his neck. I can’t help but run the tip of my finger over his skin where it’s marked. “What happened?”

As I ask, an officer walks past us.

Dean turns me, his hand protectively across my back as he guides me to my seat.

My eyes flit from Dean to the officer.

The man in uniform looks hard faced and angry. He watches us, and I’m now all too aware of everybody else in the room. I couldn’t see them stood so close to Dean.

Sitting opposite him, I put my hands on the table.

Dean scoops them in his, his hold on me much tighter than I was expecting.

“Dean?” I say, wanting him to talk.

He lets loose a breath, shutting his eyes. “I don’t want to talk about anything in here. Don’t ask me again.” His words are harsh. His tone, indifferent.

“Okay.” I swallow the lump now in my throat.

The mother next to us passes the baby to the man sat opposite her. Both Dean and I turn to look as the baby makes a saddening noise.

When Dean looks back to me, his eyes drop down. He can’t see my bump from where he is, but a flicker of worry flashes across his features.

“That can’t be us,” I whisper, knowing he’s thinking the same.

His hands tighten around mine. “I won’t let that happen, Mads.”

“How?” I ask, my voice rattling.Don’t cry. “It’s already happening. You’re in here. Not at home, with me.” I can’t imagine having to bring our child here to see him. I don’t think I could.

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