I start the shower and slowly undress her, needing to touch her, reassure myself that she’s safe and here with me. Her hands shake slightly as I slide her shirt over her head, and my chest tightens.
“You’re freezing,” I murmur.
“I think the adrenaline wore off.”
I pull her beneath the warm spray and hold her against me while the water runs over us both. She melts into my arms slowly, and I rest my chin on top of her head.
“I’ve got you,” I whisper. “You don’t have to be afraid of him.”
She wraps her arms tighter around my waist. “I’m not afraid because of me. I’m afraid of what you’re going to do.”
I pull back enough to look at her. “Ellie?—”
“He wanted a reaction from you, Bobby.”
“And he’s going to get one.”
She studies my face for a long moment before reaching up and touching my cheek. “Just come back to me when this is over.”
The words hit me hard because she says them like she already knows there’s no stopping what’s coming now.
I lean down and kiss her softly. “I’ll always come back to you.”
Later, we’re tangled together beneath the blankets, and Eleanor is curled against my chest while I run my fingers up and down her bare back.
“I’m never leaving again,” she says quietly.
My hand stills instantly.
I look down at her and search her face, trying to see if she really means it.
“I mean it. I know that walking out like I did has you worried. I know you didn’t even want me to go to Pilates because you were thinking I may not come back, but I promise you, Bobby, I’m never leaving you again.”
Relief moves through me so hard that I have to close my eyes for a second. I pull her closer and bury my face against her hair.
For months, I thought I was losing my wife.
Now she’s here in my arms, back where she belongs, and I know without a doubt that I will burn this city to the ground before I let anyone threaten her again.
CHAPTER 13
ELEANOR
I smooth my hands down the front of my dress and stare at my reflection in the mirror.
It’s funny. A few months ago, getting ready for one of the Kingston charity events felt exhausting, and I dreaded it. I didn’t want another dinner or another appearance.
But tonight it’s different because I can’t imagine wanting to be anywhere else but on my husband’s arm.
There’s a knock on the open bedroom door before Bobby walks inside already dressed in a black suit that fits him perfectly.
His gaze lands on me and immediately darkens.
“Well,” he says slowly. “That dress is dangerous.”
I laugh softly. “You say that about every dress I wear.”
“Because every dress looks dangerous on you.”
