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She blinked up at him. “I’d lose it if I watched you get shot.”
He wanted to kiss her so badly. She loved him. He knew she did. But he doubted she’d ever say it. If she got the chance, she’d try to sacrifice herself for him and her siblings. She believed they could never be together. He prayed he could change her mind. He prayed Aiden and Quaid’s plan was foolproof.
“I won’t get shot then.” He smiled at her.
She didn’t return the smile. She clung to him. “What happened then?”
“I woke up and said his name. The head wound was superficial. It just knocked me out. He was relieved and he changed his heart, forgave Belinda’s dad for some horrible things he’d done, and decided he had to go for Belinda. They’re happily married now.” He smiled, thinking of his best friends. They all missed Mercedes, but they were happy. Even her dad Franz was busy and doing well.
The woman Hays loved was injured emotionally and spiritually. He didn’t know if he had the knowledge or ability to heal her, but he wouldn’t give up.
“I’m happy for them.”
“Thanks.” He paused. “Liz. I’m no therapist, but I love you.”
She startled at the words but said nothing, only stared at him with her mesmerizing blue eyes.
“I want to help,” he continued. “Would it help to talk about what you’ve been through?”
“I’ve never talked to anyone about what I’ve been through.”
“Jacey or Quaid?” he asked.
“No. I was the oldest. I took the burden and did all I could to protect them. As you heard, I failed. Quaid was beaten, belittled, tortured. Jacey was manipulated, traumatized, and saw almost as many horrible things as Quaid and I did. I have no idea how they’re so incredible, confident, successful, and well-adjusted.”
“Maybe you did more than you think. Your example of bravery and resiliency inspires me.”
“Thank you.” She gnawed at her lip and refocused away from his compliment. “Quaid and Jacey had Nanny Maria. They loved her. She adored them, taught them about Jesus, gave them love and comfort. I think having a mothering influence, even if it was only the year and a half before my mother killed her, made a lot of difference for them.”
“You’ve never had anyone nurture you?”
“Only you.” She swallowed and said, “And Mama Millie. For a day and a half. She was a sassy angel, don’t you think?”
“Yes. She reminded me of my mom.”
“Tell me about your family again.”
When they’d been dating, she’d been hungry for details of his mom and dad, his two younger sisters, and family life. His family had a fraction of the means of hers, but she’d seemed jealous of the love, the family dinners, family prayers, trips to the beach on the weekend, his mom making him his favorite treat, his parents never missing a basketball game, him having to sit through ‘boring’ dance and piano recitals. Little things he had taken for granted and missed now.
Hays started talking, telling her about each of his family members, what they were currently up to, his sister Shay, brother-in-law Mace and his niece and nephew, all the funny things they said when he talked to them on video chat or made it home to visit, his sister Carmel who was finishing up her master’s in speech pathology at UNC.
He hadn’t drawn Liz out like he wanted to. All he’d done was tell her stories. But she was cuddled against him, and she looked more relaxed than he’d ever seen her. Maybe that was enough for now. He’d given her a respite from the war she’d been fighting her entire life as they headed directly into the conflict again.
He prayed for the right path to help her heal, strengthen her, and love her. All he knew was he couldn’t live without her. Not after being reunited like this. There had to be a reason God had brought them together again.
Hays would give his life to protect her.
He only prayed she wouldn’t get the chance to sacrifice herself for all of them.
Chapter
Seventeen
Elizabeth didn’t want to leave the exhilarating safety of Hays’s arms when they had to buckle up for landing. It was almost four in the afternoon, but it felt like midnight. As soon as she wasn’t touching Hays, all the panic and the horror of being back in her father’s power pressed in on her like a weighted blanket thrown over her head. She thought she would suffocate, but Hays took her hand in his and she could breathe again.
Two vehicles waited for them at the private airport, and they drove straight to Jarom Love’s home. Hays had her hand in his as they walked to the door, surrounded by Aiden’s eight bodyguards.
“Are you nervous?” she asked him.
