Page 69 of All the Missing Pieces

I shifted uncomfortably, unsure if I should stay or go. I glanced at my watch. It was almost two in the morning. Dr. Sapra said Ridley needed to be woken up every three hours and asked simple questions. If there was any confusion, I needed to bring her back.

The thought of that had my gut churning, so I distracted myself by setting up the litter box in the corner and pulling the tags off a couple of toys. Tater simply watched like I was her damn servant.

The water shut off, and I straightened, bracing as the door opened. Ridley stepped out, her sun-streaked blond hair piledon top of her head. I’d been right about the clothes; they dwarfed her. But I hadn’t been prepared for the sight of her wearing something that was mine.

The way my chest tightened and some sort of demented male pride surged. It was fucked, the way it feltright. Because I barely knew the woman opposite me.

“Hi,” she squeaked.

“Hey.” I cleared my throat. “How are you feeling?”

“Not bad, all things considered. A little jumpy maybe,” Ridley admitted.

That had any thoughts of how good she looked wearing my clothes fleeing. Of course she was jumpy. She’d been attacked. And the marks on her throat, which were beginning to darken, were just more proof of that. “It’s normal. Your body’s going to be hypervigilant for a while.”

Ridley nodded. “Makes sense.” She crossed to the door, shutting it and letting Tater out to sniff around. I thought for sure the cat would jump off the bed and explore, but instead, she went and curled up on one of the pillows.

“I guess she’s tired too,” Ridley mumbled.

“Why don’t you get some rest?” I suggested. “I’ll be back in three hours to check on you.” I started for the door, but she stopped me.

“Law Man?”

I turned.

“Could you stay? Just until I fall asleep?” Ridley suddenly looked like she wanted to take back those words. “Sorry. That was stupid?—”

“Not stupid,” I ground out, crossing to the chair and lowering myself into it. “Sleep, Chaos. No one’s going to hurt you here.”

I’d make damned sure of it.

28

RIDLEY

The soundsof birds chirping infiltrated my slumber, a sleep I wanted nothing but to sink deeper into. But I let my eyelids flutter open, taking in my surroundings. I expected to see the sides of my pop-up tent on the van, but instead I was greeted by nothing but water, trees, and sunlight.

Everything came back to me in flashes. The attack. The hospital. Colt.

As if just thinking his name conjured him, my gaze locked on the man in the chair. His broad frame was far too large for the seat, which looked like it would be more appropriate for dropping your jacket and purse. He curled slightly to the side, using his arm for a pillow. His face was completely relaxed in sleep, and I couldn’t help but stare.

At the way each exhale made his dark lashes flutter. How his thick scruff was now more of a beard. The haphazard array his nearly raven hair made.

He was beautiful. But it was more than something physical. Colter Brooks was beautiful because of his actions. Stepping in for someone he wasn’t all that fond of just because she needed it. Giving that person a place to sleep. And staying just because she was a little jumpy.

Something shifted inside me, forgiveness breaking away at those final pieces of anger I was holding on to. Colt wasn’t perfect, but he was kind. His words might not always be the best, but his actions always were. And I’d take actions over pretty lies any day.

Tater stood, stretching out her spine and then leaping from the bed. She crossed slowly to Colt, sniffing the air as she went. Then her eyes locked on the hand that dangled by Colt’s side.

Panic washed through me. “Tater, don’t,” I whisper-hissed.

But it was too late. Her little teeth came down hard on those too-tempting fingers.

Colt jolted awake on a curse, wrenching his hand free as he jerked upright. “What the hell?” His gaze went from Tater to me. “Just a tooth hug, right?”

I winced. “Sorry about that.”

He shook his head and rubbed at his hand. “How do you feel?”

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