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Chapter Fifty
Mia
I made my way into my apartment as carefully as I could. Hawkeye trailed me, constantly asking if I needed assistance. No matter how many times I said I was fine, he continued to ask. It was sweet of him to offer, but I didn’t need his help. I looked at the faces that were waiting for me.
Catherine, Jackson, and Ally all stood in the middle of my living room, wide smiles on their faces. There were no more computers set up on every available surface. There were no more men I didn’t recognize standing around murmuring quietly to one another.
There was only silence.
There was no Terry, either. Part of me thought he would be there. That he would decide he knew better and wanted to be there to see me home. But he wasn’t. The one man I wanted to see at the end of the day wasn’t there. It was of my own doing, I knew that. But it didn’t mean it stung any less.
“Welcome home,” Ally said in a sing-song voice.
“Thank you,” I said, trying to sound cheerier than I felt. I could tell by the sad look in Ally’s eyes that I had failed.
“Told you we were going to get that son of a bitch,” Jackson said, stepping up to give me a one-armed hug.
“Thank you, seriously. Thank you doesn’t quite seem to cover it, but it’s all I’ve got.” Tears welled in my eyes. I felt an immense relief knowing Chad was gone.
“It’s all I need. I’m just glad we were able to get him. And now he won’t ever bother you again. I checked his pulse myself; he was a goner.”
“You have no idea how happy that makes me,” I admit. I felt like a cold-hearted bitch for being happy that someone’s son, someone’s brother and friend, was dead. But after everything that Chad had put me through, back then and now, I couldn’t make myself feel any sorrow for it. Maybe in time, I would. But right now, I was so glad he was gone.
Catherine came over to me next and gave me a hug. “Oh, I’m so glad that it’s over. I can’t wait to see your smiling face back at the office. Or maybe even for a drink or something.”
I nodded. “Yes, we’re definitely going to have to do that, and soon.” I shot her a wink.
I turned around to see Hawkeye still lingering by the door. “You know you can come in here.”
He smiled in return. “I know that. But if it’s okay with Muffin, I’m going to head out. I have a family that I think has been missing me.”
“Of course,” Jackson said, stepping forward to shake his hand. “Go on home and give the wife and boy a kiss from Uncle Jackson.”
“Will do,” Hawkeye said, then turned to me. “You try to stay out of trouble.”
I laughed at the remark. “I’ll certainly give it my best effort, but no promises.”
“If you ever need anything, Miss Mia, Muffin and Catherine know where to find me.”
“Thank you for everything. I’m glad I was stuck in hiding with someone like you.”
Hawkeye nodded and took a few steps closer to me. His voice dropped an octave when he spoke this time. “I’m sure you could call him. He’d come over to see you if you asked him to. You know it, and I know it. Tell him you were scared, tell him you were stupid. Tell him whatever you want. Just tell him you didn’t mean it.”
I made a slight shake of my head, almost so small I wasn’t sure Hawkeye saw it. He did. His eyes fell with the motion.
“My decision has been made,” I reminded him.
“You’re being so incredibly stupid right now, but it’s your life. I’m just glad I was able to help save it.”
“Me too,” I said, giving him a warm smile.
Hawkeye leaned in and gave me a quick hug. “Take care of yourself and that ankle.”
“I will. Thank you.”
“You don’t ever have to thank me. I would do it all over again.” And with that, he waved at the rest of the room and left.
When he was gone, Ally came over and gave me a hug before guiding me to the sofa. “You really need to get a load off.”
