She squeezed his hand. “Luc.”
Tears slipped from his eyes and her heart grew sore. “I’m so sorry, baby. Please forgive me. I love you.”
She tangled his fingers with hers. “I love you too.”
He pressed his lips to her palm.
Her nose wrinkled at the smell of antiseptic, the white room, the unfamiliar sights and sounds. “What’s happened?”
His Adam’s apple dipped as he swallowed. “You… you don’t remember?”
She shook her head, then winced.
“Careful. The doc thinks you might’ve got a concussion.”
From what?
Then it rushed back at her. The man. The attack. The way Luc had saved her. “You were there.”
He nodded. “I got the alarm when I was on the way. I was going to surprise you and arrive earlier, but I didn’t get there in time, and I’m so sorry.”
“But you were there.”
“But I would’ve been there earlier, and could’ve prevented it from happening.”
“I had a class though, didn’t I?” So much felt foggy still.
“Yeah, I know you said not to come too early because of that, but because our plane got back early, I figured I had time to stop and get my hair done, and I wanted to surprise you.” He put a hand self-consciously though his newly shorn hair. The mullet was gone. “I shouldn’t have done that. I should’ve been there.”
“But you were there. You were there when I needed you the most.”
His lips pressed together and he shook his head. “None of this would’ve happened if it wasn’t for me. So it’s my fault Sean attacked you.”
“You can’t know what’s going to happen in the future, Luc. You’re not responsible for what others do or think.” She gestured for him to come nearer. Then she drew his head down and stroked his hair. “I like it,” she murmured. “And you didn’t lose your Samson strength, did you?”
He turned to face her, his cheek resting gently on her stomach. “I think I might’ve used one of your jive kicks on him.”
“Aren’t you glad you learned to dance?”
His lips twisted wryly. “I spoke to the police last night, and again this morning, and you don’t need to worry about him. The police have him in custody.”
She nodded, vague memories of giving statements to them last night piercing her mental fog.
“From what they’ve said this morning, between the footage on the video, his phone records, and his prior offences, there looks to be enough evidence to put him away for a long time. So you’re safe.”
“You’ve always kept me safe,” she murmured. “You never once let me fall.”
“I’ll always try to save you,” he whispered hoarsely, his dark eyes glistening like he was fighting back tears.
Her heart stirred with deep compassion. She stroked his hair. “And you? Are you okay?”
“Coach said the team management need to see me this morning, so I’ve asked the guys to pray. I’m guessing they don’t want a captain involved in this kind of thing.”
“You might be surprised. Who wouldn’t want someone who stands up for what’s right and does what he can to protect those he loves?”
He swiped at his eyes, then rasped, “I love you, Bails.”
She smiled. “I love you, Luc.”
He drew in a shaky breath, then lifted his head and moved closer, closer, his bristled jaw drawing nearer before he captured her lips in a kiss. The fog and pain disappeared as a sense of rightness, satisfaction, of coming home filled her, and her hand lifted to cradle his bruised cheek. Yearning for him made her long to deepen it, but he drew back, smiling, just as a nurse entered the room.
“Bailey, you’re awake.” She moved to the monitor and wrote something on a chart. “I’ll tell your parents and friend that they’re allowed to come in, if you like. They’ve all been very worried.”
“I should go and get ready for this team meeting.” Luc said. “Your dad wasn’t happy when I came late last night and insisted on staying, but the nurse was kind and snuck me in. She’s a fan.”
Her fingers tangled with his. “Of course she is. I’m a fan of yours too.”
“No.” He smiled. “She’s a fan of yours. From the show.”
A different nurse appeared, carrying a vase of roses, which she deposited on the window ledge along with half a dozen others. She glanced at their hands, smiled, then gestured to the roses. “Apparently these are from a Z. Parotti.”
Luc snickered. “Of course they are.”
“I haven’t met him, have I?”
“I think you’re going to.”
He mentioned some other names, but she barely heard. So much love, from people she knew, and those whom she might one day. Then there was this man, his heart, his lips, his life ready to help her, to protect her, and help her be more brave. She reached for his hand, and gently squeezed. “I love you.”
