“Did he have a cut on his chin?”
Luna looks surprised. “He did. How—”
“When we kicked open the trunk of the car, it connected with his face. That’s the guy who took me.”
I toss the washcloth in the sink and head out of the bathroom right as Tse comes walking into the bedroom. I stop in my tracks and take in his dirty, sweaty shirt, and the bloodied knuckles of his hands.
“I’ll leave you guys to it,” Luna mumbles, slipping past me and out of the room.
“Sorry I disappeared on you,” he starts, his eyes never leaving mine. “I needed to blow off some steam.”
I walk up to him and take one of his hands, studying the damage.
“I see that. I need to clean these but you need a shower first.”
He looks at me funny but then nods and walks past me into the bathroom, yanking his shirt over his head on the way. I hear the shower turn on as I grab the first aid kit Lisa used on me and set it on the bed, getting some disinfectant and pads of gauze ready. Then I pull open a few drawers in the dresser, looking for something clean for him to wear. I’m sure Ouray won’t mind.
I find a shirt and a pair of sweatpants and carry them into the bathroom just as the water turns off. His showers are always fast, but this one probably broke a record. I hand him a towel when he steps out and he doesn’t waste time toweling off.
“Didn’t think you want to borrow a pair of Ouray’s boxers,” I tell him.
“You’d be right,” he grumbles.
I watch as he puts on the sweats commando, and almost feel guilty for wishing he’d just stay naked for my viewing pleasure. I love his body. Big, solid, strong, with just the right amount of padding to make it comfortable. I’m disappointed when he tugs the shirt down.
“Now let me have a look at those hands.” I give him a little shove into the bedroom and he takes a seat on the edge of the bed. “How is the other guy?”
I try to make light of the situation, because truthfully, the way he’s looking at me makes me a little nervous. I carefully dab some gauze soaked in disinfectant on his raw knuckles but he doesn’t even flinch. I can feel his eyes on me the whole time.
“I love you.”
His voice is raspy and so soft, I’m not sure I heard him right.
My hands still as I search his face.
“What?”
“Never used those words before. They feel a bit strange on my lips.” He takes my hands in his and pulls me between his legs, his warm eyes aimed up at me. “I love you, Fee,” he says a little stronger, and his words—aided by my pregnancy hormones—have my emotions well up. “Not gonna lie, I’ve had a lifetime of second thoughts about this just in the last couple of hours. I’m not sure if I can be who you need, and I’m scared as fuck, but when I think of a future that doesn’t include you all I see is a black hole.”
“Baby…” I take his face in my hands.
“I don’t have the logistics worked out yet,” he continues, obviously not done yet. “We’re gonna need a bigger place for sure, but I’ve got money socked away. I can afford to look after you and the babies—”
I cut off the flow of his words with my mouth, kissing him deeply and putting all my feelings into the kiss.
“You are everything I need,” I whisper against his lips. “Just as you are. I’ve never trusted someone this completely, and I love you so much.”
A knock sounds at the door, interrupting our moment.
“Shit. Ravi,” Tse mumbles. “He wanted to see you. He’s been worried.”
“Go, let him in.” I step out of his hold. “I’m gonna wash my face and be right out.”
I head to the bathroom when I hear him call my name.
“Never heard those words either,” he admits when I turn my head. “Feels good.”
When I walk into Ouray’s office a few minutes later, Van is so excited in his greeting he almost knocks me off my feet.
Ravi is more cautious in his approach and stops a few steps away, staring at the mark on my face.
“I’m sorry.”
My narrowly regained composure threatens to crumble again, but I hang on. These guys are gonna have to stop apologizing or I’ll be blubbering the next nine…wait…seven months.
I close the distance and fold him in a hug.
“Sorry? Are you kidding me? If you hadn’t gotten away, you wouldn’t have been able to give Tse the information he needed to find me.” I set him back and look him in the eye. “You saved me, kiddo. You and Tse both.”
The smile is barely distinguishable, but I see it. Just a slight tug at the corner of his mouth as he ducks his head and turns to the dog for distraction.
I meet Tse’s eyes and smile. His mouth doesn’t move but I read the smile in his eyes.
These guys break my heart. Both so closed off, yet I see all of them.
“I’m hungry.”
A chuckle escapes me. Typical teenage bottomless pit.
“I could eat something too,” I admit.
“Then let’s go see if we can raid Lisa’s kitchen,” Tse suggests.
Before he has the door all the way open, Ravi darts past him, Van Gogh on his heels.
CHAPTER 29
Tse
I STARTLE AWAKE when Sophia suddenly shoots up straight in bed.
I stroke a finger over her arm and she almost jumps out of her skin, her eyes wide when she swings her head around.
“It’s just me.”
Recognition washes over her features and I gently pull her down
