“God, Joe.” I let out a heavy, shaky breath. “You scared me to death.”
“Sorry!” He chuckles. He opens the fridge and grabs a beer as if this is his house and it isn’t three in the morning. “I didn’t expect you home. Aren’t you supposed to be in St. Louis until tomorrow night?”
I fidget, not in the mood to get into everything with Joe right now. “My plans changed.”
“You should have called. Roman likes to know when plans change.”
“I did call. It keeps going to voicemail. He’s upset with me, so he isn’t answering.” I fold my arms over my chest. If I’m going to be reprimanded for something like that, Joe should know the truth.
“Uh, I don’t think that’s why he isn’t answering, Maddie,” he deadpans, then lifts the bottle to his lips and drinks deeply.
“What do you mean?”
“Roman is at the hospital,” he says flatly, crumpling up a wad of paper towels left on the counter. No detail. No explanation. Just drops a bomb like that.
“Why? What happened?” My chest tightens as I notice the blood soaking the paper towels in Joe’s hand.
“He’s okay,” Joe says quickly, following my gaze. “An intruder got into the house. There was an altercation and he stabbed Roman. But he’s completely fine, Maddie. Really.”
“Then why is he at the hospital?” If he wouldn’t even take Ty there, then I know there isn’t a chance in hell Roman would go himself unless absolutely necessary.
“Because he wasn’t conscious enough to fight me on it when I got here.”
“Joe!” I burst. “He passed out? Where did he get stabbed? Why didn’t anyone call me?”
“Easy, Maddie. He lost a good amount of blood, but we got him there and everything is fine. They’ve already treated him and they’re only keeping him overnight as a precaution.”
“I want to go see him,” I say, my lips quivering. I can’t believe this happened.
“Yeah, of course.” Joe grabs a bag off of the kitchen table in front of us. “I just came to get a few things for him. Ty is at my house with my wife.”
I nod, having trouble forming words. It’s already been an exceptionally emotional day for me and now Roman’s hurt. Wehaven’t had a good conversation in days, and now, someone attacked him in his own house while his son slept upstairs.
Joe and I drive in silence, my mind swirling in a million different directions. It’s a relief that Roman is going to be okay, but he should have told me what happened. Even if he was angry.
I shouldn’t have to find out like this. Everything is fine this time, but it’s a harsh reminder of the present danger in our lives. Nowhere is safe.
Joe parks in front of the hospital and we both hurry inside. He shows me down the hall to Roman’s room and I burst inside with Joe close at my heels.
Roman sits in the bed, tapping away at his laptop, and looks up at me wildly when I rush toward him. “Madison?”
Without a word, I throw my arms around his neck, draping myself across his body as I bury my face in his chest. He holds me tight against his body, pressing a kiss to the top of my head as he rubs my back. Tears stream down my face, every emotion of today converging on me at once. Defeat. Sadness. Fear. Relief deeper than I’ve ever felt.
“I’m okay, baby,” he whispers gently. “Everything is okay.”
No matter what’s happening between him and me, the moment I’m in his arms, he’s my lifeline and everything settles.
Breaking for air, I pull back from Roman and sit on the edge of the bed. He reaches out, brushing the tears off of my cheek, and I put my hand on top of his, just holding it there. His touch is already calming my aching heart.
“I found something I thought you might like back at the house.” Joe grins, slinging Roman’s bag onto the bed. “I also smuggled a couple of beers into your bag in case you need something to take the edge off.”
“Thanks, Joe.” Roman gives him a halfhearted grin. “You should get home. Text me and let me know how Ty is, okay?”
“Absolutely, man.” Joe nods. “Get some rest. Looks like you’re in good hands here.”
He gives me a quick hug and then leaves, latching the door behind him.
“You’re supposed to be in St. Louis.” Roman pulls me against him again, making some room on the bed so I can lie next to him in his arms. It’s small and cramped, but right now, it’s the most comfortable place in the world.
