Page 68 of Stealth Mission
Now, I’m nothing to her but an idiot that got her hurt. This is it. Whatever she might have felt for me is over. Killed by incompetence. No, not incompetence, fucking negligence.
When Beast’s hand shoots up, I brace for a blow. But he doesn’t hit me. He lays his hand on my shoulder. “First, brother, thank you for telling me. Second, we’ve got a lot to talk about when we’re on the other side of this battle. But I want you to know that I understand what you just said.”
Shaking with my anger, I look at one then the other. “I’m going to hunt whoever did this down. I’m going to gut that fucking town and whatever bullshit is going on there.”
“Good. Let me know when and I’m going with you.” Beast tips his chin to Scout who’s standing loose-limbed but ready in the corner. “All of us. We’ve got your back. Now go in there and be the man I know you are beneath all of your fucking scars. Whatever she is to you, I’m glad. I’m fucking glad you’re not alone anymore. You’ve been alone long enough.”
The knot in my throat turns jagged. “I’m not alone. I haven’t been alone since I got my trident, and became a part of the Teams.”
“You're damned right, but us men are not what you need.”
Stepping back. I shove my arms through the clean shirt. “Time for talking is over.”
Beast steps aside, but he’s not done. “You know what you need, right?”
“Apparently you know what I need. So what is it?”
“Someone to finally undo what your mother made you believe—that you’re unlovable.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
The curtain surrounding my bed stirs. Before it’s pulled back, I know who’s on the other side. The sound of his gait is somehow hardwired in my brain.
When the nurse draws the barrier back, every single emotion inside me rushes to the surface.
“Hey,” I whisper.
“Hey.”
His voice is raw too.
For a few seconds we just look at each other.
Until Walt lunges across the space, drops to his knees next to the bed, and buries his face in my stomach.
“Easy now!” The nurse grabs his arm.
Holding him to me makes the tears start to flow. “He’s not hurting me. It’s just my thigh we need to worry about.”
Breathing hard, Walt searches for my hands and takes them in his. For the first time since I met him, he’s ice cold.
“Mari, I am so sorry. God. I’m so glad you’re okay.”
I tighten my hold on him, wishing I could chase away the chill. “I’m going to be fine. You’re scaring me. You’re shaking all over.”
He breathes and breathes, pressing his face into the sheet covering my stomach, his whole body vibrating.
The nurse clutches her chest. Her eyes wells up. “I’m going to go now.”
My own tears are running freely as I nod to her.
The curtain rings jingle as the fabric slides on the bar around the bed. After it settles into place, we’re left alone in the cool dim light. Distant voices and a hum of machinery are the backdrop.
“I’m fine.” My whispered chant.
Finally, after a long time, Walt raises his head. The anguish in those steel-gray eyes breaks me.
It’s hard for me to speak with all the tears clogging my throat. “Please don’t be upset.”