Page 21 of Broken Soul
I nod and take a deep breath, bracing myself for what’s on the other side of the door. Domino opens it for me and I gasp when I see my big, strong man lying in bed with a gauze pad over his left shoulder. He looks so vulnerable with his eyes closed and his eyebrows knit together as if he’s fighting off another bad dream.
That thought snaps me out of my temporary shock, and I rush over to him, unsure of what to do. Diesel lets out a pained grunt in his sleep and I place my hand on his good shoulder, wanting him to know he’s not alone. He calms down at my touch, rolling over just enough to give me room to join him in bed.
Carefully, I peel back the covers and slide in next to Diesel, turning so I’m on my side, facing him. Resting my head on his good shoulder, I close my eyes and count his breaths, thankful for each and every one.
“Odette?” he whispers, his voice scratchy and laced with confusion.
“I’m right here,” I assure him.
Diesel turns his head, giving me the sweetest, sleepiest smile. “I must be dreaming,” he murmurs. “Best dream ever.” His words melt my heart and make me fall even more in love with him. Of course, he wasn’t leaving me. How could I have doubted him?
“You’re not dreaming,” I say softly. “You’ve been through something traumatic and you’re in the healing process.”
“Traumatic?” he asks, looking around the room and then down at his body. “Oh, the gunshot wound? That’s nothing.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “It’snotnothing,” I tell him. “It’s awful and I’m so sorry you’re in pain.”
“I’m not anymore. I can’t feel anything but happy when you’re here in my arms.”
I try to be strong for Diesel and hold back my tears, but his sweet words are my breaking point. I bury my face against his neck, hoping to hide my ugly crying.
“I’m okay, princess,” he says, stroking my back. “What’s going on in your head? Please don’t cry.”
I sniffle and get myself somewhat under control. “W-when I didn’t hear f-from you, I thought…” My breath catches in my throat but I press on. “I thought you were done with me. But then I found my car in the back of the garage and I didn’t know what to think. Domino came barging in a few minutes ago and told me what happened, and my emotions took a one-eighty and flipped to thinking you were dead.” I take a breath and then add, “After I explicitly told younotto die!”
Diesel presses a kiss to my forehead and tightens his hold on me. His lips pull into a smile against my skin, which settles something deep in my soul. “First of all,” he whispers into the shell of my ear, “I would never leave you. I can’t. You’re my whole world now, Odette. I missed you every second I was gone and I’m so sorry you thought I’d ever abandon you.”
“I was just scared,” I tell him. “Everything was too good to be true.”
“Look at me, sweetheart,” he says softly. “You’re worthy of love. You deserve to be taken care of and told how special and incredible you are every day. Nothing is going to change my mind about that; aboutyou.”
“Diesel…” I murmur, clinging to his every word.
“I love you, Odette. I love you in a way I’m only just starting to comprehend. We might not know everything about each other yet, but we know the things that matter. I feel you in my soul, princess. You can’t get rid of me now.”
“I never want to get rid of you,” I say, tears once again streaming down my face. “I love you so much, Diesel. I don’t think I knew what love was until you showed me. I don’t know how I’m ever going to repay you.”
“You don’t owe me anything,” he reassures me.
“What about my car? I didn’t even know you were working on it.”
Diesel runs a hand through his hair and looks away from me. “Truthfully, I was afraid to tell you it was done.” He turns his head toward me, looking a bit sheepish. “I thought if you had your car, you’d leave.”
“You can’t get rid of me now,” I whisper, giving his words right back to him.
“Good. I’m glad that’s settled.” He nods once and then tucks me against his good side, pulling the blankets over us to create a warm cocoon. “I love you,” he murmurs.
“I love you so much,” I tell him, pressing a kiss over his heart. “Get some rest,” I encourage.
“I will now that you’re here.”
His eyes droop closed but he still has a peaceful smile on his handsome face. I curl up against him and hold my man while he sleeps. Eventually, I drift off as well.
11
DIESEL
Ifinish drying the last of the dishes from breakfast, smiling to myself as I scrub the burnt oatmeal from the bottom of the pot. Odette has been taking good care of me these last three weeks, but bless her heart, she's a terrible cook. Good thing the doctor gave me the all-clear this morning to resume normal activities such as cooking and cleaning. I asked him aboutotherphysical activities, and he laughed good-naturedly before giving me the go-ahead.