I fisted and flexed my hands, trying to use the motion to release some of the tension rolling through my body. It didn’t help. Images of the Polaroids Tessa had given to Walker flashed through my mind. My imagination took those memories and ran with them—Tessa’s body broken and crumpled on the floor, Tessa no longer breathing.
I scrubbed a hand roughly over my face, trying to clear images I could never un-see. The radio squawked, and my head jerked in its direction. The team leader spoke in low, rapid tones. My heart seemed to speed up and sink to my stomach at the same time.Tessa.
The man looked in my direction, taking my measure. He spoke into the radio. “I’ll bring him up.”
I strode quickly towards him. “Is Tessa all right? What happened?”
The team leader jerked his head for me to follow him up the long, gravel drive that led to the cabin. “We don’t know. The perp is dead, though.”
All sorts of scenarios flashed through my mind.Is she still missing? Injured? Dying?I couldn’t even feel relief at Garrett being dead because all I could think about was Tessa. I ignored the unhelpful man next to me and picked up my pace to a run. I needed to get to her.
“Slow down, would ya?” The team leader grunted and gave up. “Fucking civilians.”
I ran faster, pushing my muscles until they burned. An old cabin that looked on the verge of falling apart appeared around a bend in the road. At least a dozen SWAT team members milled around out front. I spotted Tuck heading towards me. I slowed my run, trying to catch my breath. “Where is she?”
Tuck directed me towards the house, guiding me inside and up the stairs. “Walk is with her. But I need you to be quiet and make no sudden movements.”
“What the fuck is going on?” I spit the words at him on a whispered growl.
We reached the landing at the top of the stairs, and I froze. Tessa. Covered in blood. She cowered against a back wall, holding out some sort of stake. Her arm trembled.
Tuck gripped my shoulder. “She’s in shock. She killed Abrams.” My heart spasmed in a mixture of pride and grief. Pride that my girl was so fucking strong, and grief that her tender heart would have to carry that burden. Tuck pressed on. “She won’t let anyone near her. Doesn’t recognize me or Walk. With all Tessa’s been through, we don’t want to have to restrain and incapacitate her.”
My body locked. “No. Let me talk to her.”
Tuck nodded. “Slow, okay? No sudden moves.”
“Got it.” We headed towards the open door. I spared the body on the floor only a quick glance, then my gaze stayed fixed on Tessa.
As I reached the doorway, her head snapped in my direction. “Don’t. Stay away.” Tessa’s eyes were wild as she shook the crude weapon at me.
I held out a hand in a placating gesture. “Tessa, it’s Liam.” She blinked rapidly. “You know me.”
Tessa shook her head. “Stay back.”
Fuck. I surveyed the room. Tessa huddled on the floor, three large men looming over her. I looked at Walker and Tuck. “You need to leave. Let me talk to her alone. She’s terrified.”
Walker shook his head. “No way. We’re already breaking just about every regulation known to man having you in here.”
I gritted my teeth. “Stand just outside. You’ll be able to hear everything. But right now, she’s outnumbered and scared to death.”
Walker let out a frustrated breath, his gaze went from me to Tessa and back again. “Fine. But we hear anything going south, we’re back again. I have an ambulance on the way, coming in quiet.”
“Thank you.” I waited while Walker and Tuck slowly left. Tessa’s eyes followed the action in jerky movements, her head and gaze jumping from me to the two men leaving and back again. She kept the stake pointed in my direction.
Slowly, I eased myself to the floor, wanting to be on her level. Then I began to talk. “Do you remember the first time we met?” I didn’t wait for her answer. “I didn’t make a very good first impression, nearly knocking you over, trying to get away from Bridgette.” Rage heated my blood at just Bridgette’s name on my tongue, but I pushed it down.
I studied Tessa as I kept talking. “But you forgave me for my rudeness. Eventually.” I drew patterns on the wood floor with my fingertips. “You let me help you take Trouble to the vet. I think seeing how much you cared for that little, defenseless kitten was when I first started to fall in love with you.”
Tessa’s head quirked to the side slightly as if she were searching for a memory just out of reach. I pushed on. “And when I saw you with Phoenix. That bond, so deep and rare, I loved you a little more.”
Tessa blinked rapidly. I slid just a bit closer. “Watching your talent bring images to life on the pages of a notebook…another piece of my heart. Gone.” Tears stung the backs of my eyes. “But most of all, you saw me. Who I really am beneath the façade the rest of the world sees. Fuck-ups and all. And you loved me in return.”
Tears filled Tessa’s eyes. I pushed myself even closer to her, trying to pinpoint any injuries. There was blood everywhere, but I had no idea if any of it was hers. “You are so kind. And strong. And beautiful. I’ve never loved anyone as deeply as I do you.”
Tessa’s arm began to shake violently, and I froze. “L-l-liam?”
Relief rushed through me in a wave. “Yes, Tessa. It’s me. Can I come closer?”
