She doesn’t wrap her arms around me, and I pull back,worried her arm is broken and I’ve hurt her further. That’s when I notice the handcuffs.
“I couldn’t get them off,” she says.
“It’s okay now. We will find a way. Are you okay? Do you need to go to the hospital? There was blood at the house.”
She shakes her head. “I’m fine. Just a cut. It’s not deep.” She shows me her arm. “I really want to go home and shower.”
My fingers trace her cheek where it’s bruised. “He hit you.”
She winces. “He did.”
I want to kill that man. “He’ll pay for that.”
She takes my hand in hers. “Can we please go?”
“Glad you’re okay,” Moose says.
Savvy glances from Moose to me.
“Moose, this is Savvy. Savvy, this is Moose. We work together at RHS.”
Moose sticks his hand out but then sees her handcuffs. “Oh, sorry.” He points to the cuffs. “We will have to get those off of you. I have some tools in my car that should work.”
I lead Savvy to Moose’s car. He grabs a cuff cutter from behind the driver’s seat and quickly gets her out.
“Will we need those for the police?” Savvy asks.
“No. The FBI will be dealing with Marco. Now, let’s go home,” I say.
Savvy sleeps on the drive back to my place. She wakes as I park.
“You said home, but until we know if you are safe, I’d like you to stay here,” I say.
She nods. “I’d like that, too.”
Once inside, I pick her up and carry her to the couch, setting her on my lap. I need to touch her constantly, to know she’s safe.
“I was so worried.” My voice breaks on the last word. I close my eyes as I can feel them grow watery. I’m not usually emotional, but this was too close a call. I can’t lose her.
I open my eyes and Savvy’s crying. “I was so scared when I woke up in that room and realized it was Marco.”
“He won’t get you again.”
We sit in silence, holding each other for a few minutes. Finally, I can’t hold it back any longer.
“This might not be the best timing, but I have to tell you this,” I say.
She lifts her head and meets my eyes.
“We haven’t really known each other for that long, and this might not be the right moment. But when I thought you could be gone…” I swallow. “Something inside me cracked. I’ve spent years telling myself I don’t need anyone. But you snuck under all of that.” I lean my forehead to hers. “I’ve already told you I want to see where this goes. But know, I’m all in. I’m falling for you.”
CHAPTER 28
Axel
I’ve been awake for about an hour, but I don’t want to move. Waking up in my bed with Savvy in my arms is amazing. I feel so content. I can’t say I’ve ever felt like this. And all we did last night was spoon, nothing more. It was exactly what I needed.
While I believe I loved my ex, I never felt like this around her. It’s like Savvy is the missing puzzle piece I didn’t know I needed. And she fits in perfectly.
