"We'll follow in your truck." No way was I leaving her side. But I know she’s right. My son needs me. I also didn't wantMammon to wait around or have to get someone to get my truck for me when I can just take hers.
Delaney nods only to wince. My gut churns over the fact she's hurt.
Shit.
I should have insisted that they stay at the ranch and not leave. It's my damn fault this happened. She said they would if I wanted them to.
Watching the paramedics load Delaney onto a gurney, I wait until they have her in the back of the ambulance before acknowledging the fact that Mammon had been sticking close, not saying a word.
Turning to him, I hold his gaze.
"You good?" he asks, eyes darting in the direction of the ambulance, concern filling his gaze.
"Not even close," I tell him, stroking Dash's back. I still need to answer my son's questions, but not yet. "I'll meet you at the hospital,” I tell him, not fully meeting his gaze. None of this would be happening if it weren’t for my crazy ex
"This isn't your fault. You know that, right?" Maddox asks.
"Isn't it?" I grunt tersely. "If it weren't for me, my woman wouldn't be in the back of an ambulance. My son wouldn't be clinging to me, scared out of his mind."
"It's not on you, Ty," Mammon states calmly, getting in my space, hand coming to my shoulder. "Put the blame where it belongs." He squeezes me and moves back, heading for his truck.
Sighing, I do the same, but instead for Delaney's truck. I get my son fastened in and climb behind the wheel just as the ambulance pulls off. At least with them not rushing, I know she's going to be okay, but with all the shit that's happened, I don't want the stress of it to cause her to lose the babies that brought us together.
Fuck.
I grip the steering wheel tightly and follow behind them, wanting nothing more than to be with her. But I also have to put my son first, meaning when we get there, I've got to talk to him before heading in. Delaney will be pissed if I don't.
Parking in a spot close to the ER doors, I turn the engine off and look over to my little boy. "You asked me who that woman was." I stop to wait for Dash to look at me and nod. "You don't remember her, you were only a baby, but she's your mother."
"She's not my mommy," Dash says, his lips quivering.
"No, she's not. A mommy doesn't do what she did. Megan is sick and needs help. She's going back to the place that will give it to her." Hopefully for a hell of a lot longer with all the shit she pulled today and recently.
"She said she started the fire at Laney's house." Dash's eyes well with fresh tears. "Laney’s not going to hate me because that woman hurt her, is she?"
Fucking hell.
Unfastening Dash from his booster seat, I pull him to me, wrapping my arms tight around him. "Laney could never hate you, kiddo."
"I loves her. I wish she were my mommy," he cries and tucks his face in my neck.
"I love her too. Now, how about we get in there and see that she's good so we can all go home?"
"Okays," he whispers, not letting go.
Taking the keys out of the ignition, I open the door and shove them in my pocket. Honestly, I'm not sure I want to know all the details that entailed my woman protecting my son. All that matters is they're both safe. No one can hurt them again.
"I'm telling you, I'm fine." Delaney sighs, shifting on the couch. "You don't have to move him."
We got home hours ago after the hospital discharged her. Dr. McAlister even came down and spoke with us while Mammon took Dash to get a drink. He protested at first, but Mammon convinced him to go with the promise of finding some awesome snacks.
Now that everyone who stopped by to check in on her and my son is gone, I can tell Delaney is done with havingpeople in her space. I can see it in her eyes.
Throughout all the visits, she's kept Dash close to her, and he didn't seem to mind. The two of them cuddled together while having a movie-a-thon, watching firstThe Gooniesand nowThe Sandlotis finishing up. Even when everyone was around us, I didn't mind so long as they were both in my line of sight.
Even as Dash slipped into sleep, lying next to Delaney. The movie played on until Mammon left.
With the last of the guests gone, I let out a breath of reprieve. Finally, I have them all to myself, and I needed to reassure myself that they were safe.
