Page 30 of Guarding Salvation

“He is?” Shock and wonder filled her eyes with tears and yet the guilt still weighed heavy.

“He’s a little dynamo.” He dipped his head to look at her. “What?”

It was crazy how well he could read her. “I still feel guilty.”

“I understand all of that, Irish, but you can’t blame yourself for this. You had no control over what happened and ‘what ifs’ will tear you apart.”

Aoife sniffed the tears back; she was so sick of crying and just wanted her old grit and fight back. It was like being pulled down into a dark abyss that wouldn’t let go and he was her only light right now, which was pathetic, bordering on stalkerish. She was beginning to feel like she didn’t even know who she was anymore.

“I know but it’s hard not to blame yourself when you know that if your actions had been different then maybe the outcome would’ve been better.”

His arms tightened around her, and she felt his lips against her head. “I know that, believe me I do, but you can’t live like that. Things may have been different, but it doesn’t mean they would’ve been better. None of us have a crystal ball, nobody can see the future and if we could, the world would be a very different place and not necessarily for the better.”

Aoife was about to answer when the doctor and the man they called Waggs stepped out from inside the medical room where they’d taken Peyton.

Aoife pulled from Bram’s hold. “How is she?”

“She has a broken wrist and few broken ribs, but the tests we did, and the portable X-ray machine, showed no internal injuries. We can cast her wrist, or should I say, Savannah can, and then she can go home. But she’ll need to be kept an eye on for a few days, as she did sustain a concussion, and of course, the ribs and bruising are going to take some time to heal.”

Impotent anger flooded her at the thought of her friend so badly hurt.

“We can look after her. She can’t go home as it’s too dangerous. We’ll take her back with us.” Bram didn’t elaborate but Waggs nodded.

“Jack wants to see you, Bein, but, Aoife, is it?” She nodded at him. “Peyton is awake and asking for you.”

Aoife turned to Bram who winked and nodded at her to go on. “I’ll come and find you after I talk to Jack.”

She paused outside the door, knowing that when she went inside, she’d have to tell her that Bertie was hurt and see the look of worry and accusation in her friend’s eyes and know she’d put it there.

Pushing open the door, she saw Peyton sitting up in bed, a pile of pillows behind her, the white sheet against the medical gown she wore made her look pale beneath the bruising. Seeing each other they both burst into tears, hers of relief and guilt. Aoife rushed forward and took Peyton in her arms as gently as she could, hugging her friend as they both cried through mumbled incoherent words.

A few minutes later, Aoife gently pulled away and surveyed the damage her father and his henchmen had done. “I’m so sorry, Pey.” Her friend’s face was a mess, hardly a place on her that wasn’t black and swollen, her lip split, a cut over her eyebrow, and both her eyes almost closed and black.

“Hey, no, you have nothing to be sorry for. You didn’t do this, your father and his animals did.”

“But if…”

“No,” Peyton held up her hand to silence her. “No, I won’t let him do this. You do not get to carry his guilt or shame.”

“But Bertie.”

Aoife saw her friend’s eyes fill with tears, but she blinked them away and blew out a breath. “I know, Waggs told me. But he’s a fighter and I know he’ll pull through, he has to. He’s my protector and friend and I also know that little hero saved you. Savannah told me how close the bullet would’ve been to your heart if it had hit you. As much as it breaks my heart that he is hurt, I’m glad I still have my best friend with me.”

Aoife gripped her hand tight knowing how lucky she was to have this woman in her life. Aoife sat, not knowing how to explain any of what had happened or even if she should. “Bram wants you to come with us.”

“That’s fine, but how did you end up here? These were the people I was talking about when I said I had friends who could help you.”

Aoife let her jaw hang open in surprise at this news. “It’s a long story, but the man I worked for at the pub was attacked by my father and he gave me a number and told me to call it for help. I did and the next thing I know I’m in some secret facility and these people are helping me.”

Peyton nodded slowly, her teeth nibbling her bottom lip. “I guess that makes sense since it was a friend of this group who suggested I send you to that pub to find work. He probably thought you’d be safe being surrounded by whoever this group is. He must trust them, and Smithy doesn’t trust many people.”

“I’m just happy he did, or I’d be in hell right now.”

“Oh, Aoife, I wish I could’ve helped before now.”

“God, Peyton, you’ve been the only reason I’ve kept fighting. I think I would’ve been dead by now without you.”

Peyton gripped her hand in a surprisingly tight hold. “We’ll get through this, Aoife. These people will help you.”