Lies(54)

CHAPTER TEN


So many beeping noises destroying my peaceful sleep. Sheesh. Also, pretty much everything is white. Sheets, blanket, wall, ceiling.

Oh, no. My bad. When I turn my head, the monotony is actually broken up by some stupendous floral arrangements and bouquets. Peony roses, hydrangea, orchids, tulips, chrysanthemums, lilies…you name it. How overwhelming and lovely. Someone spent big-time on me. Like seriously. People can just be so amazingly wonderful sometimes. I mean, the world is really a delightfully lovely place when you stop and think about it. Just so extraordinarily great in general.

“Betty.” Thom hovers over me, face pale. “Babe, I’m here.”

“I know you are, silly. I can see you.”

The man of my dream just blinks. “You’re high as a kite right now, aren’t you?”

So maybe I giggle. Who could blame me?

His smile is tired. “I’d ask them to dial back the morphine drip, but I’m afraid you’ve got some deep bruising to your spine and a couple of fractured ribs. But you’re going to be fine. We’re damn lucky the bullets that hit you in the back weren’t armor piercing. They did enough damage as it was. They also cleaned up the deep graze from the bullet on your arm. That one’s going to scar. I’m sorry.”

Then it all hits me. The cottage and the crazy battle and everything we went through. With my fuzzy brain, however, the pictures are distorted. Askew. I can’t seem to see my way clear. “Thom. I think I killed someone. Again. Oh my God. I know we didn’t have much choice, but still…”

“Shit,” he mumbles, gently brushing my face. “Babe, don’t cry. You only shot Archie a couple of times, remember? He was a terrible person. But I’m the one who killed him. Put two straight between his eyes. So it was me, not you. Okay? Do you think I’m a terrible person?”

“No. You’re wonderful. The most wonderful man I’ve ever met.”

“Maybe I should keep you drugged more often.”

“I can’t believe we made it out of there alive.” I blow out a breath. Despite whatever happy drugs they gave me, even this small action takes a toll. “I don’t think I should move just yet.”

“Probably a good idea.” His gaze is so warm and fuzzy. Prettiest blue eyes ever. Only then I remember something else. Thom frowns. For some reason, there’s a vague long-suffering air to the man. “Why on earth are you crying now?”

“I just remembered. You got st-st-stabbed in the shoulder.”

“Babe, they stitched that up hours ago. I’m fine.” He’s wiping my blubbering cheeks again, a little line between his brows. “Stop that. Come on, you need to keep calm. It’s not good for you to get all freaked out over every little thing.”

“Every little thing? We just survived a war!” I sniffle. Can’t wipe my nose with the back of my hand because there’s a freaking huge needle sticking out of it. Geez. Luckily, Thom recognizes my need and hands me a Kleenex. I proceed to blow my nose in a totally ladylike manner. “Thank you. How’s everyone else?”

His expression stills. “Helene didn’t make it.”

“Oh no.”

“Charles is here now. He’s taken over command and is dealing with the feds and so on.”

“Did they find Scorpion?”

“No. Not yet. But we will.” He smooths my hair back from my face. “Betty, I’ve been thinking.”

“Hmm?”

“I’ve decided after this mess is tidied up, I’m going to retire.”

Color me stunned. Despite the fog in my head, his words slap a healthy though unwelcome dose of reality back into me. “Really? You’re ready to give up all the excitement and running around with a gun and everything? Hang on…are you just doing this for me?”

“Of course I’m doing it for you. I’d hardly be doing it for anyone else.”

“But what if you wind up all bored out of your brains and resenting me?”

“No.” He shakes his head. “That’s not going to happen. How could life with you possibly be boring? Besides, you were unconscious when I made the decision.”

“Yet I’m still the reason you’re making this decision, and it’s such a big-ass decision.”

“It’s the right decision.”

“Will they even let you retire? The organization?”

“After everything that happened, they’re kind of in our debt right now.”

“Oh.” I close my eyes. Despite having only just woken, I’m tired again already. On the other hand, I like looking at him. So I open my eyes once more. “You’re so pretty. But you’re talking about life-altering stuff here. On the one hand, I love the idea of you not being in constant danger. On the other…ugh. I can’t remember what I was about to say. Pretty sure I’m too high and wounded for such a serious discussion. I also don’t want to say the wrong thing. Are you sure you shouldn’t be lying down and resting too? How much blood did you lose?”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. And yes, that’s true, it is a big-ass decision. Let’s discuss it later.” He kisses me lightly on the lips. “I love you. Do you believe me when I say it to you now or what?”