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“It can be, if you want it to be.” Crash felt his throat go tight awaiting her reaction to his words.
She nodded. “I’d like that. I don’t ever want to leave. I feel safe with you.”
He tightened his hold on her. “I feel like I kinda fell down on the job of keeping you safe.”
“You kept me safe, Crash. If I’d have listened to you, Nicklaus wouldn’t have gotten ahold of me. I know that.”
They were silent for a few minutes, then Crash realized Shannon was silently weeping. He dipped his head to hers, his heart ripping at her pain. “Baby, what is it?”
“He had me, Crash. I didn’t want anyone else to touch me after you, but he did.”
His eyes slid closed, wishing he could go back and put ten rounds in the bastard. “I’m so sorry, baby. But you’re safe now. He can’t ever touch you again, sweetheart. You took care of him. You were so strong and you took care of him. I was so proud of you, honey.”
She sniffled quietly.
“No one is ever going to hurt you again, Shannon.”
“Hold me.” She clung tighter to him.
He squeezed her tight. “I’m here, baby. I’m here.”
*****
It was a week before the worst of the withdrawal symptoms were over. In that time, Crash never left Shannon’s side. He made her soup and waited on her, until finally she’d had enough of sitting inside and begged Crash to take her for a ride on his bike.
“Okay, baby. Let’s go.”
They were headed to the elevator when Crash’s cell went off. He pulled it out, glancing down at the screen. Cole. Putting it to his ear, he answered. “Yeah?”
“Open up.”
Crash disconnected and stepped over to open the garage door.
“Who is it?” Shannon asked as she heard a bike roll in downstairs.
“Cole.”
When the elevator opened both Cole and Angel stepped out. Shannon ran to her, hugging her tight. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry.”
“Honey, I’m fine. How are you?”
“Over the worst of it. It was pretty bad there for a couple of days.”
Angel nodded. “I know. I felt the same way.” She looked over at her husband. “Cole took good care of me.”
“Do you want some coffee?” Shannon offered.
“That would be great.” The women moved off to the kitchen.
Cole looked over at Crash. “Sorry, she insisted I bring her over so she could see for herself that your girl was okay.”
Crash grinned. “No problem. Shannon was going a little stir crazy being inside for days. She finally felt better today. I was gonna take her for a ride.”
“You want company? We could all take a ride down the coast, get some lunch.”
“Sounds good.” Crash looked over his shoulder at the women. “Looks like they’re having coffee. You want some?”
Cole shrugged.
