argue, but she had no energy left. Her blinks were slow, and her gaze unfocused. I smiled and kissed her forehead.
“I love you,” I said.
She was asleep soon afterward. I waited an hour before moving her under the covers, trying to be as careful as possible. Tugging the blanket over her, I considered her midsection then studied her sleep-relaxed face. If I looked, I risked another kneeing or worse. If I didn’t look and there was something seriously wrong, I’d never forgive myself.
Decided, I went to the bathroom and returned with two clean hand towels. Praying she’d stay sleeping, I peeled back the comforter. The first hand towel I placed over the robe on her chest. The second one went over her hips. It wasn’t just to preserve her modesty. It was to avoid temptation. I desperately wanted to see her and explore every curve and hollow. But I wanted her awake when I did that, exploring me in return.
Steeling myself, I loosened the belt at her waist and slowly parted the robe. I worked it open a few inches at a time, stopping to readjust towels as needed so everything stayed covered. As I worked, I became angry.
A huge bruise covered her stomach. Two areas were darker, as if she’d been hit twice. What had he done to her?
I slid into bed and covered her with the quilt. Ever so gently, I pulled her close and listened to her even breathing.
Chapter 20
Thoughts of all the things that could have gone even more wrong kept me awake. I touched Michelle often as she slept, reassuring myself that she was still with me. And, I kept reminding myself that the day hadn’t gone as wrong as it could have.
Around dawn, I left the bed. Restless, I went to the kitchen and ate the leftovers, hoping a full stomach might help me sleep. It didn’t. So, I went to the bathroom, thinking a hot bath would do the trick. However, seeing her clothes hanging over the glass shower door filled me with regret and anger all over again. Knowing sleep wouldn’t happen, I stripped, put on the suite’s other guest robe, and called down to the desk to arrange for our clothes to be laundered. After someone came for the dirty clothes, I took a quick shower. Then, I paced for a bit. Finally, I sat down beside the phone.
I dialed Jim’s number and waited. He picked up in the middle of the second ring.
“Hello?”
“Hey. It’s me.”
“You’re alive.” I could hear the genuine humor and relief in his voice. “How are things there?”
“Good. Really good. She Claimed me.”
“Mom’s going to—”
“I know,” I said with a half-laugh.
“You don’t sound as happy as I would have thought.”
I sighed and leaned back into the cushions.
“I am happy about that. But, Michelle got hurt.”
“Yeah, Dad told me. She’ll be okay though, right?”
Frustrated, I hesitated.
“Is she awake?” Jim asked.
“No. She’s still sleeping. She’s been out pretty much since we got here. And, yeah, she’ll be okay. I’m not sure I will be, though.” Jim remained quiet, letting me talk. “I left her alone. That’s how they got her. Even after hearing she’d been locked away for four years, even after hearing what they’d done to her brothers, even after Blake sent men to our home to try to take her back, I left her alone. What kind of dumbass am I?”
“A big one, apparently. You’re sitting on the phone with your brother instead of snuggling with your Mate.”
I almost laughed before I caught myself. “She was bleeding, Jim. The mutt who took her hit her head so hard she was bleeding. And her stomach is one huge bruise. I think he hit her there, too. And, do you know what she does when I ask? She tells me everything is okay and not to worry. She comforts me. I don’t want comfort...”
“You want revenge.”
“I do. I want Blake to bleed.”
“He will. Give it time. You should have that patience thing down by now.”
“Yep. I should. Did you hear about the meeting with the lawyer?”
“In a few hours, right?”
“Yeah. What do you think?”
“I think she’ll want to go. And, I think you won’t be a dumbass again. Don’t forget Grey and Carlos have your back. Your front, too, if you need the protection.”
I grinned.
“Thanks, Jim.”
“Anytime. Now, let me go back to sleep.”
I hung up the phone and went to lay by Michelle again. Talking to Jim had eased some of the guilt I carried. It wasn’t gone, just