Page 39 of Wounded Hearts

“In that case, I’ll take my leave and see if I can sneak in an afternoon nap.”

Mara and Roz watched him leave and Mara noted the affectionate smile on Roz’s face. “Good man, that. Saved our collective assess a few times.”

Mara didn’t want to consider the dangers of the job Drew and the rest of them did, but it was becoming increasingly apparent that it was, in fact, very dangerous. Her life had enough uncertainty without thinking about the danger everyone she was coming to care about, and in Drew’s case love, were in. “What did you want me for?”

Roz put her hands in the back pockets of her leather trousers, her demeanour relaxed but Mara had the feeling she wouldn’t like this next question. “You know the layout of Blaisdon House. Is there any way we could sit down with the blueprints back at Fortis and go through them? Confirm what we think we know with what you do know? K and Dane can’t get close enough without triggering his alarms which we don’t want to do, yet.”

Mara wanted nothing less than to relive her time in that beautiful prison but if it would help the people who’d risked their lives by protecting her then she’d absolutely do it. “I can do that.” Mara saw relief wash over the other woman and was surprised she’d let her guard down enough to show it.

“Thank you.” Roz turned and made for the door. “You coming?”

“You want to do this now?”

“No time like the present.”

Mara followed, grabbing her new leather jacket on the way out. At the front door they stopped, and she saw Roz swing her leg over a large, black motorbike.

Mara blanched as Roz held out a helmet to her. “I can’t ride that.”

Roz continued to hold the helmet to her. “Why not?”

Mara felt her eyebrows hit her hairline. “Oh, gee, I don’t know maybe because I might die!”

“You won’t, I’m a good driver. Come on. I promise I won’t go fast.”

Mara considered it for a second and felt the initial fear being replaced by a sense of adventure. “Oh, what the hell. If I die, you can be the one to tell Doc he can’t have a day off.” Mara took the helmet and fastened it on her head.

“Deal.” Roz smirked and Mara got the distinct feeling this woman got her own way most of the time. But she had a soft spot for Drew so she couldn’t be all bad.

* * *

“Oh my god, what a rush.”Mara exclaimed as she swung her leg over the bike and grinned like her face wouldn’t straighten.

“I knew there was an inner wild woman inside you,” Roz said, and Mara laughed.

“No, not anymore but I did enjoy it.”

“Bullshit, you’re hiding behind your abuse.”

Mara felt like she’d been slapped in the face by the woman she’d ridden behind, she’d turned on her so fast. She felt her anger unfurl as she clenched her fists her skin prickling with indignation. “How dare you say that to me. You have no idea what I’ve been through.”

Roz leaned closer, her eyes never leaving Mara’s. “Don’t I?” Mara pulled her head back at that, it was the last thing she’d expected Roz to say. “You have no idea what I’ve survived. Don’t presume to know what others have been through. Some of us wear our scars differently, that’s all. You’re fucking strong and fierce. I see that light, that fire in your eyes. Drew is sweet, he’ll protect you until his dying breath and won’t push you for fear of hurting you. But I knew the second we met that you could take more, that the fire you thought had gone out was merely smouldering under the ashes of what was done to you.”

Mara shook her head as they stepped up to the door. “You’re wrong, my fire has gone. I just want peace, to live my life without risk.”

“Do you think loving a man like Drew comes without risk? Loving anyone has risk. Are you prepared to let Brayden Wells steal everything from you? Did you escape his prison only to impose one upon yourself?”

“I’m not ready.”

“No, maybe not yet. But don’t dull your flame, let it burn and find the woman who ran away on a girl’s holiday knowing it would get her in trouble but did it anyway. Find the woman who didn’t cower when armed men threatened her or her friends. That’s the woman who’ll help you recover, Mara, not this mouse you’ve become.”

“How?”

Roz pulled open the door and entered as Mara followed. “Do the things that scare you, that you know terrify you, and you’ll have won.”

Mara nodded letting every word that Roz had said settle in her soul.

“Now, lecture over. Let’s get these blueprints set up in the conference room.”