Set Me Free (A Fugitive #2)(60)

He didn't say anything, just looked at my tears and started crying ones of his own. Our lips met in a shaky embrace that was tentative and sweet.

My Zach.

The nurse was right, everything was going to be okay.





*****





"Crocodiles?" Zach grinned, shaking his head.

I smiled at him, trying not to laugh. Laughing hurt too much. He held my hand, his thumb caressing my skin, jumping over the IV tube painfully protruding from my bony hand.

"So, you see, you have to keep telling me all your little stories. They might just come in handy one day." I bit my lip and closed my eyes as a wave of exhaustion swept over me. It had been three days since I was rushed into the hospital. I had been moved from ICU to a recovery ward this morning and was slowly regaining strength. My limbs still felt weak though and I couldn't ever imagine running again. The nurse chuckled when I told her that and patted my arm.

"The body is a miraculous thing. You'll be pounding the pavement before you know it."

Zach had cleared his throat at that, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. I'd given him a reassuring smile, promising not to leave him again. I hoped he could believe it. I had nothing to run from anymore. It was over.

A hard rock formed in my belly every time the realization hit. Thanks to that sharp piece of mirror, William Tenner would never be able to attack me again. It felt good and chilling all at the same time. I'd killed a human being.

"Are the police coming back again today?" I licked my dry lips and hoped they weren't. I was sick of trying to answer questions, especially when my brain still felt so fuzzy. Admitting who I really was to the Danville Sheriff had been terrifying.

"Not sure yet. I know the FBI want to come back again. Uncle Alex warned me they'll be heading this way soon."

I clutched his hand, my eyes shooting open.

"Hey, it's okay." He soothed. "Just tell them the truth. You're not the guilty party anymore, remember?"

"I tried to impersonate an FBI agent, I have stolen hundreds of dollars in the past five years. I killed a man, Zach. I'm guilty!"

Zach's expression softened. "That was self-defense and you know you could easily argue that all that other stuff was too. You were trying to survive."

I shook my head with a soft sigh, my fingers shaking as they rubbed my forehead.

"Hopefully they'll over look these misdemeanors considering the unique circumstances. Uncle Alex is pretty confident they're going to erase your last five years of criminal activity. What we're supplying them with will open up a huge ass can of worms that will bring down more than just Tenner."

I nodded, feeling sick.

"His family came to collect his body yesterday."

I flinched, a sharp breath shooting up my nose. I don't know what caused them, but tears sprung into my eyes. "I wanted to bring him to justice, not kill him."

Zach swallowed and slowly nodded.

Slipping my hand from his grasp, I rested it on my stomach, feeling dirty and ashamed.

Zach tried to reach for my hand again. "He deserved to die for what he did."

"Maybe. Or maybe he just deserved to go to prison for a really long time. Why did it have to be me? It's not fair that I have to carry this around now. He shouldn't have died by my hand."

"It's kind of like the circle of life." Zach shrugged.

I looked at his gentle smile, slightly confused by his answer.

"He killed your parents, you killed him. It's a form of justice, Lulu."

The nickname had just appeared in his vocabulary and I kind of liked it. It's what Dad used to call me.

I forced my head up and down, knowing Zach was right, but still hating the fact that I'd taken a life. Even if it was a filthy, greedy, evil life.

"So, what happens now?" I let my hand slip back into Zach's.

"Well, you let go of the past and start your life anew."

A breathy chuckle escaped my lips. "I don't know how to do that."

"I'll be there to show you the way." He winked, my insides warming. The gaze in his eyes made my heart tingle.

I was about to wrap my fingers into his shirt and pull him forward for a kiss when the door swung open.

"Hey, she's awake." AJ beamed, filling the room with his sunny presence. Lifting the bag in his hand, he wiggled his eyebrows. "I smuggled you in some goodies. Time to start fattening you up, skinny one."

He placed the bag on the chair as I shot a grin at Zach. He just chuckled, leaning back as Elliot and the girls entered the room. Liesl nudged Zach aside so she could snaffle a gentle hug and kiss me on both cheeks. It still hurt, but I managed to hide my grimace. The painkillers were definitely dulling the sense, but not making it numb. Her brown eyes were filled with motherly care as she held my face.

"How you holding up?"

"I'm good." I nodded.

"You don't look great." Jaeda's nose wrinkled.

"Thanks," I replied drily.

Her sweet titter made me grin. "But you will, sweet girl. Liesl and I are taking you shopping as soon as you're able."

"That might take some training," Elliot whispered. "These girls are marathon shoppers. You've been warned."

I smiled at his emphatic expression, my grin softening to a tender look of gratitude. He shook his head slightly, his tough exterior breaking for just a moment.