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“Don’t you let what-ifs haunt you,” Mack said. “I promise that we’ll do everything in our power to stay safe and happy. You need to promise us the same. That’s what we can do. That’s what we can control.”
Tris nodded and closed his eyes. “I hatethat manso much. Why does he get to do this to us?”
The door opened and Wally and Roe came back inside. Roe filled a glass for him and helped him sip some water.
“The doctor said you’d be alright.” Roe set the glass on the table next to the bed. “They pulled the bullet out and it didn’t hit anything too important. You’ll be out of the hospital by tomorrow. You better thank the heavens it wasn’t worse. I’ll kill you if you die.”
Tris chuckled. “Dad, leave him alone.”
“Never.”
“What happened with Bollinger?” Mack asked after another drink.
“Wally got him,” Roe said, smiling fondly at the bodyguard. “Practically sat on him until the police arrived.”
“He’s in jail with no bond,” Wally said, leaning against the wall. “This isn’t small town Loriston, Georgia. He has no friends in high places here. No one to convince the police it was just a big ol’ joke. I give it maybe two days before reality sets in and he turns on James and Gabriel.”
“Good,” Mack said, yawning again. He let his eyes close and drifted off to sleep, satisfied that Roe was angry, not sad. Curses were much better then tears.
It wasdark out the next time he woke up. Tris was gone and Wally snored from the chair in the corner. Roe sat in the chair next to the bed, dark eyes watching him.
“Hey, sweetheart,” Mack said, reaching for the water glass.
Roe scooted forward and helped him take another drink.
“Did Tris go back to campus? Are you feeling better?” Mack asked.
“Tris told me about your talk with him.” Roe leaned forward and pressed his forehead to Mack’s, rubbing their noses together. “Thank you. He’s been through a lot and he needed that push.”
“I just hoped I said the right thing.”
Mack felt Roe’s smile against his cheek. “You always seem to know what to say.”
He snorted. “Lacey would tell you differently.”
“I don’t know what to say now,” Roe whispered.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
“You were sleeping, and Tris went back to campus,” Roe began, leaning back so he could look at him. “I watched you, lying there, hurting. Because of me.”
“Roe –”
“I talked to the nurses and paid the hospital bill,” Roe interrupted him. “I told Wally we were leaving. That we’d pack up our things and move out of your house. Lacey could come and bring you home.”
“No.” Mack struggled to sit up. “Don’t do that.”
Roe gently pressed him back down. “I didn’t get past the door, Ian. I’m too selfish to leave you, even if you would be better off.”
“I would never be better without you,” Mack said, bringing Roe’s hand to his lips. “I hate the thought of you and the kids leaving even if it’s just to move to your own place in Hobson Hills. The house wouldn’t be home anymore. I need you for that to happen.”
Roe’s dark eyes were luminous in the dimly lit room. “I don’t want to leave you. I think I’m in love with you.”
Mack gave a weak laugh. “Hell, it’s too soon, isn’t it? That’s what everyone would say, but I knew when I met Darren in high school that first day. Sometimes it happens fast, right? I think I knew I loved you when you kissed me at the festival.”
Roe laughed roughly and leaned down to kiss him. “I love you Ian William McKenzie.”
“My middle name isn’t William.”
