Page 79 of Protecting his Heart

“If only we knew,” Evan said. “I understand why you did it, Edward. I truly do. But you have to understand it’s going to take me time to brush it aside. We nearly died.”

Edward rolled his lips inwards and nodded, barely holding onto his tears. “I know. But no one can make me feel as bad as I make myself feel. I will never forgive myself.”

Surprisingly, Evan crouched in front of Edward, resting his hands on his knees. “You don’t need to forgive yourself yet. But I’m telling you now, if you even consider doing anything to stopyour pain in the permanent way, you need to call me. I willnotlet you leave that girl without a father. Understood, doctor?”

Edward nodded. “I wouldn’t. I couldn’t. I’m too much of a coward.”

Evan caught his chin, meeting his gaze. “You’re not a coward, but that result doesn’t help anyone.”

Tears overflowed, and Evan stood, settling back beside Owen. Owen clasped their hands and squeezed. “Good job,” he whispered. “Do you need to ask anything else?”

“Did he say anything aboutwhy?” Evan asked.

Edward shook his head, wiping his cheeks. “Nothing. He kept giving me orders, but he never completely said why he wanted me to do it other than to get you to the house. I didn’t know he had it rigged.”

“Okay. Thank you for talking to us,” Owen said and stood. “I need to say goodbye to Anika.”

Edward stood. “I’ll fetch her.” He turned and paused before facing them again. “I don’t know what he told her about you or his plan, and I don’t think she’s ready to discuss it. She’s going to be visiting a psychologist, and I’m going to suggest that she allow pertinent information to be shared with you if that’s okay?”

Owen nodded. “Only if it won’t affect her. I won’t hurt her any further than she already has been.”

Edward left, and Anika came running in. “Dad said you’re going.”

“Yes, we need some sleep.” Owen smiled. “It was nice to meet you, Anika. I’m glad you’re back home.” He wouldn’t add safe because home was supposed to be a safe place, and neither her house nor his mother’s house was now considered safe.

“The guy mentioned…your sister. Amy.” Owen’s throat closed up, but he nodded. “She died, right?” He nodded again. “I’m sorry. He wasn’t. Not even remotely. But I am. I’m sorry you had to deal with this situation just because he was being an asshole.”

“Anika!” a woman’s voice scolded.

Anike smiled but shouted, “Sorry, Mum!” She lowered her voice. “But he was. And I’m sorry for it.”

“You don’t need to be sorry, Anika. I really am happy you’re home.”

Owen opened his arms, cast and all, and they hugged again. “I don’t have a brother, but if I did, I’d want you,” Anika whispered in his ear, and it took every ounce of restraint to not burst into tears.

“Thank you.”

They left after a brief goodbye from Edward and his ex-wife. The taxi picked them up, and Evan waited until they were on their way before asking what Anika had said. When Owen repeated it, he cried. That girl was going to be a force of nature, and one of the wisest people on the planet, if he had to guess.

Edward hadn’t given them a huge amount of new information, but when they arrived home, Owen spent a few minutes on the phone with Brett, relaying what he’d said. He also brought up the connection between the two cases again, explaining his thoughts about if the connection was between the three friends, and therefore, was Evan next, or if it was about the bodyguard side of their relationship. Brett hummed a bit but didn’t offer his own thoughts on that. He probably had so much information rolling around in that head of his that he could see hundreds of smaller connections that none of them had.

He joined his mother and Evan in the living room with Nick, and they put a reality TV show on, which Owen hated, but after several episodes, he found himself throwing comments into the mix, too. It was nice to relax with people and not worry about someone coming after him. At least for a little while.

His brain occasionally brought up that Evan might be next, but something about that scenario didn’t seem to fit, his gut told him. He considered the bodyguard side of things, but apartfrom their job, nothing connected the guards, except for him and Dominic. Did that mean that they were the only ones focused on? Or was there another connection that he hadn’t figured out yet?

Going around in circles was nothing new, but it tired him out, especially as he was still recovering from the explosion. Evan fell asleep during an episode, and when it finished, Owen nudged him and guided him to bed. Nick said he’d stay for one more episode and then let Sally get some sleep.

After curling himself around Evan under the covers, he tried to turn his brain off, but it was easier said than done. There were so many what-ifs in the situation. But there was one thing for sure—Evan and he were together for the long haul. He knew it deep in his soul, and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for him. Maybe he needed to lock him down so he couldn’t leave him again. Not that he would. It had been Owen pushing him away that sent him running, and he couldn’t blame the guy.

Would Evan agree to marry him if he asked? Wasn’t that the million pound question? He didn’t want to think about the result being negative, so he concentrated on the good points of their relationship. The way they knew each other completely. The way they could finish each other’s sentences. The way they understood what the other was thinking, just with a look. Owen couldn’t imagine growing old without Evan being there with him—and he didn’t want to. He wanted Evan all to himself. Forever.

It was definitely something to consider. Well, he didn’t need to consider it because he was going to do it, but he needed to consider what he wanted to do to propose. Would it be better if it was when they were with family, or would it work better alone where they wouldn’t be disturbed? Would Evan want to go away for a weekend or something, and Owen could propose at a special dinner? Or should he prepare a dinner himself and offer his skills as a way to persuade Evan to say yes?

So many questions, so little time.

Because he wanted all the time he could have, and he wouldn’t be satisfied if any of it would be cut short for whatever reason.

“Stop thinking so loudly,” Evan grumbled, and Owen chuckled, pressing his lips to Evan’s nape.

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