being raised by a pair of blood-thirsty, psychotic criminals, you’ve made yourselves into good, honest people.”
It was difficult to cry with a row of staples holding her together, but Bodie managed it. She let the tears flow freely. There were too many emotions twisted inside her to know what they were, but she’d pick through them eventually, untangling them bit by bit, when she was able. This was about freedom from tyranny and finding hope where she thought there was none left.
Atticus stayed with her as she wept, comforting her with just the touch of his hand over hers. He murmured to her, keeping her calm when sobs threatened to rise, and allowed her to expose her weaknesses without judgement.
He rose and fetched some tissues to the bed, carefully cleaning up the mess crying left behind. “The detectives will be coming by to see you now you’re out of the ICU, sweetheart. They’re nice guys, and you have nothing to worry about. There’s just some loose ends they need to tie up, and then all this is done and finished for you and Alicia. The both of you can focus on healing and living the lives you deserve.”
Bodie peered up at him, grateful for his company even though she probably looked like a hot mess. Crying with someone holding her hand didn’t seem as embarrassing as crying alone in the dark. “Who are you, Atticus?”
“Just your friendly Avalon Master,” he replied with a grin.
She snorted, winced. “Who are you really?”
He stood as Braun slipped into the room behind him, although how he knew Braun was there, she didn’t know. His grin widened. “I’m a ghost, sweetheart.” He bent and kissed her forehead to a chorus of grumbles from Braun. “I’ll catch you around, Bodie. Behave yourself.”
She watched him go, more intrigued than ever.
Chapter Sixteen
Six months later.
“We don’t have to do this tonight, Bodie. What did Faraday tell you about pushing your limits before you’re ready?” Braun leaned against the doorjamb, arms crossed over his bare chest, and scowled at his errant subbie. Seriously, could she be any more stubborn? “Savannah warned you this morning about taking little steps. Little steps, Boadicea.”
Bodie curled her lip at the mention of the perky but strict physical therapist who was currently the bane of Bodie’s existence. Savannah, in Braun’s opinion, was fantastic. Exactly what Bodie needed when she wouldn’t listen to anything but the driving need to be whole again.
“Savannah talk is banned from the house,” she told him, replicating his scowl almost perfectly. “She’s a demon in human disguise, and we’re not talking about her.”
He barely held onto his control, a laugh threatening to erupt. God knew they hadn’t had much to laugh about the past handful of months. Arguing, bickering, temper tantrums with a side of clinging, crying, depression, and despair was their usual daily menu of emotions.
He couldn’t blame her. An infection in Bodie’s leg during the early months of her recovery had set her back, resulting in an extra month’s stay in hospital. The wound in her stomach had skinned over, then broken open again, leaving them unable to do anything but let it heal from the inside out.
The doctors were thrilled with how quickly Bodie’s left leg and broken arm had healed. Her cheekbone hadn’t required surgery, much to Braun’s relief—he wouldn’t like to say how much more Bodie could have taken on top of everything else going on at that point in time.
Braun watched his subbie perform an unintentional striptease, her body shimmying and wriggling as she fought to pull off the extra baggy t-shirt over her head. He loved the few pounds she’d put on in all the right places in the last few weeks, despite the rigorous daily PT routine she pushed herself through.
Bodie was determined to lose the crutches as soon as possible.
“For God’s sake, woman,” he muttered in exasperation when she got tangled in the shirt. He strode to the rescue, deftly freeing her. When she smiled ruefully, he bent and nibbled lazily on her mouth until her lips parted for him. “Savannah’s been a godsend and you know it.”
Her hands landed on his hips as she leaned into him, using him for support when her leg wobbled. “Do you know how fucking happy she is all the damn time? I’m sweating from places no woman should and she’s all smiles and chirpy-chirp chatter. The woman is a monster, Braun.”
His eyebrow flicked up. “Harsh, little one.”
“When I cried last week, she patted me on