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“Two days.”
“Oh…”
“You lost a lot of blood. I called a physician and they treated you here.”
That’s when I noticed the IV hooked into my arm and the distant beeping sound of the monitor. My blood pressure was taken and the cuff link tightened on my arm.
“I knew you would feel better waking up in your bed with the open window.” He kissed my head again then rested his forehead against my knuckles like he was saying a prayer. That’s when I noticed my wedding ring had been returned to my hand. “I was so worried…”
“I’m fine. I lost a little blood is all.”
“You nearly died, Button. You should have told me you were wounded.”
“I thought I could make it.” Sometimes I thought I was stronger than I really was.
He stared into my eyes like a man torn in anger and infatuation. “I’m pissed at you for leaving. That’s something I’ll never be able to forgive you for. But I’m so grateful you’re okay that it doesn’t matter.”
“I’m sorry I hurt you. But I don’t regret what I did.” I would do it again a thousand times.
“You got lucky.”
“No, I didn’t.”
He held my gaze while he waited for an explanation.
I cut myself and inserted a smile knife underneath my collarbone.” I pulled down my shirt so I could see the new stitches. “I knew they would frisk me but not pay attention to the wound. So when Bones had me alone I dug my fingers inside and pulled the knife out. Then I killed him.” I said everything without emotion because I didn’t feel any remorse. Everything I did made me sound crazy, but I never felt more sane. I did what I had to do to protect myself and my family. And now were free.
He shook his head. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You never would have let me gone through with it.”
“And rightfully so. This could have gone quite differently.”
“I was prepared for that possibility. But I had to save your brother. He’s my brother too.”
He sighed, his eyes softening.
“Marriage is about selflessness. I know you need your brother. I couldn’t let you lose him.”
He continued to stare at me, his eyes a mystery.
“Everything worked out in our favor. So let’s just leave the past in the past and be happy.”
He clenched his jaw then stared at our joined hands before he returned his look to mine. “I have to ask you something. Whatever your answer is, it doesn’t change us. But I need to know…”
I knew exactly what he was asking me. “He didn’t rape me. Well, he tried but didn’t succeed. I killed him before he could.”
Crow stared into my eyes until he saw the truth in my look.
“He got me naked and held me down. But that was the worst of it.” At the time it was terrifying and I could barely keep my focus. But he didn’t need to know those details.
“How did you sow your own wound?”
I would never throw Lars under the bus. I made him help me against his will, and if I told Crow the truth he would kick Lars out onto the street. “I did it.”
He raised an eyebrow in incredulity. “You did it?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“It’s called a mirror.” I would lie through my teeth if I had to. Lars did me a favor and I wouldn’t repay him by getting him fired.
Fortunately, Crow backed off. “I didn’t know you knew how to do that. Might come in handy.”
“Yeah…” Now I’d have to ask Lars to teach me.
He stroked the hair from my face and gave me a long look. “You’re incredible, you know that?” Compliments were few and far between when it came to Crow Barsetti, so I treasured it at face value.
“What do you mean?”
“You were brave when others wouldn’t be. You were fearless when you shoved that knife inside your body. And you were courageous when you ripped it from your body and stabbed that asshole in the heart. Button…you’re far braver than me and every man put together.”
I ran my hand up and down his arm. “Not braver than you. If you hadn’t come for me I would have died.”
“No.” He leaned in and kissed me on the forehead. “Button, you would have found a way.”
***
I sat on the balcony with Crow beside me. A book was in my lap but I stopped reading it a long time ago. Instead, I chose to cherish the view right outside the bedroom window. Crow sat beside me and worked on paperwork for the winery. He hadn’t gone back to work since I’d been home. My strength had returned but he continued to treat me like I was fragile.
A knock sounded on our bedroom door. “Crow, when the hell can I see her?” Cane’s angry voice stretched across our bedroom and landed on our ears on the patio.
