Jacked (Trent Brothers #1)(179)

A nurse pulled at the curtain, revealing another bed. Erin’s father gave me a lukewarm nod. Her mom, Christine, was standing near the dark window.

None of it mattered.

My tears broke again seeing Erin’s sleepy face curl into a smile.

“Doc.” I reached for her.

Erin’s left arm was bandaged up into a sling. A purple bruise shadowed her jaw.

“Hey, Cop,” she whispered.

My heart wanted to leap out of my chest. “Oh God, Erin. I love you, baby. Move me closer. Please. I want to touch her.” I stretched, catching her fingertips. The pain in my body would have to wait. “I’m so sorry, Erin. So sorry. Are you okay?”

She nodded. Tears of her own cascaded down her tender cheeks. “Yeah. I’m okay.”

“Oh, thank God.” My hands were trembling, but we managed to touch. Her fingers were warm. “I thought I’d lost you. I’m so sorry.”

She let go and wiped her eyes. “I was so scared.”

Guilt the size of a mountain smashed into me. “I know, sweetheart. I’m so sorry.”

“Okay, let’s get you into bed,” some nurse said, rudely reminding me that there were others around.

I grasped onto Erin’s bedrail. “No. Leave me here.”

My cot was jostled, breaking my connection with the only thing I cared about. A new ache formed in my chest when they moved me away from Erin. Just when I thought they were going to wheel me out of the room, the nurse parked me next to the empty bed in Erin’s room.

Confusion struck me for a moment. “I’m staying here?”

“Yep,” some nurse said, smiling.

Okay. Good. Staying here. Fuck, my ass is cold.

My parents introduced themselves to Erin’s, and everyone seemed to be happy and in a good mood while the staff settled me in. I couldn’t help but keep a watchful eye on Erin’s reactions. It helped me to be strong and to fight through the sheer agony of being jostled and propped up.

Oh, thank God. More blankets.

Erin was bundled up, too. Good.

I almost lost her.

I’d never lose her again.

I just pray she’ll forgive me.

“I love her.” My IV line snagged when I pointed. It was tangled up underneath me.

My mom gaped at me, apparently in shock, and then her face lit up. Erin and her mother appeared equally as stunned. Even some skinny nurse who obviously needed to eat more was smiling at me. Why they found this a surprise, I’ll never know.

Everyone seemed to be happy and getting along, talking and laughing as if they’d been friends for years. Well, that was before I stunned them into silence.

Their continued stares were becoming unnerving.

“I’m gonna marry her, you know. So start planning.”

Several mouths hung open, including Erin’s.

What?

I tried to shift but my balls pinched; the skin was stuck to my leg. That’s when I realized I was completely naked, covered only by a thin hospital gown thing with the snaps. A string hung down over my shoulder. This shit wasn’t even tied on. And where was my gun? Someone better have secured my weapon. It was loaded and chambered.

I don’t know why I looked under the blankets. “Where’s my gun?”

Erin was still staring at me; her sleepy eyes beautifully crinkled.

I couldn’t decipher her scrutiny. “What?”

Her beautiful face scrunched up even more. “Did you just propose to me?”

Wait, what? Did I?

Erin held up her hand. “Forget it. You’re high.” She turned away. Addressing her mom, my mom, and Sherry, she said, “He’s confused and babbling.”

I wasn’t confused; I’d just feel better knowing where my damn Glock was. “No I’m not. Who has my weapon?” I was hoping my dad would know. I didn’t see my stuff anywhere. “It was loaded, Dad. Please find it.”

My dad nodded at me and walked out into the hall. At least someone was on it.

I rolled my head on my pillow, catching Erin’s watchful gaze on me. God, I love her, and now she’s hurt. Again.

“I’m sorry this happened. Please don’t hate me.”

Her head shook slightly. “It’s not your fault.”

“Yes, it is.”

“No.” She firmly disagreed. “That girl was very unstable.”

“I should have seen it.”

Erin scratched her chin. “Sweetie, no. Don’t think like that.”

I studied her face, which was coated with determination and forgiveness. Could I have prevented this? Were there signs that I’d missed? Kara had shown signs of being obsessive/compulsive, but I never, ever imagined her being capable of— “Adam.”

I focused back on her piercing eyes. She called me sweetie. That’s got to be good, right?

“Do not blame yourself,” Erin ordered. “Don’t.”

I wanted to argue but she shook a finger at me.

And that was it.

That moment right then and there was it.

…each time she let me sleep peacefully all curled up around her.

…each time she made sure I was taken care of: fed, warm, loved.

…when she took each stitch out of my hand, making sure I was healed and pain-free.