Page 75 of Enchanted with the Orc
“I am,” she assured me, but her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. I knew a little bit about her past, but she didn’t speak about it often, so I didn’t pry any further.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” I told her, sure that I was going to crumble to pieces in worry and guilt.
“Stop saying that,” she huffed, showing some of her old self again with a quick roll of her eyes. “You had no idea that your psycho ex was going to do what he did. Forgive yourself because I haven’t blamed you for a single moment of it.”
Gabbi chose that moment to shove another spoonful of oatmeal into Hanna’s mouth and we both laughed, but mine was teary.
The sound of the door opening pulled my attention away from the moment, my heart soaring with hope. And it was rewarded when a tall, familiar form entered the hotel suite. I ran to him, stopping just in front of him, not sure what I should do.
Was he hurt? Was he regretting that he’d ever tried to help me? Had David hurt him?
I studied him from head to toe, gasping as I saw the blood on his arm, my hands going to it right away before I stopped myself, hoping I hadn’t hurt him.
“Are you okay?” I gasped, but I was in his arms, squeezed tight before I knew what was happening.
That was when the tears started flowing and I was sobbing in his arms, squeezing him tight. I felt a little tornado slam into us and I knew Gabbi was joining in the reunion.
“I’m okay, my mate,” he purred, rubbing his face against my hair and inhaling deeply. “I’m perfect now.”
“You’re bleeding,” I sobbed harder.
“Abu’s bleeding?” Gabbi squeaked, her arms up to be lifted. With a quick dip and scoop, Enka had her in his arms and she held onto both ofus in a tight hug. “Why, Abu? Did you fight?”
She pulled away to give him a stern look. “Mommy said you’re not supposed to fight.”
He gave her a nod, before saying, “And if someone picks a fight with you, what do you do?”
“Get Abu,” she said with a firm nod and he pressed a proud kiss to her forehead.
“Exactly,” he told her.
“Can we go home now that Aunty Hanna’s back?” she asked, snuggling against his throat before scrunching her nose. “Abu you’re stinky.”
The boom of his laughter resonated through me, joy filling me that my family was hale and whole.
“Yeah, we’re going home,” he told her, pressing another kiss to the top of her head and then mine, pulling away and putting her down before heading to the bedroom, sending a wave in the direction of my coven who were staring with avid interest at our interaction. I felt heat sweep up my cheeks as Gabbi skipped her way back to them.
“Well, well,” Tabitha said, grinning at me. “Isn’t this something?”
I refused to respond, holding up a finger as I rushed after my mate. He was already taking his shirt off in the bathroom and his eyes widened when he saw me. He turned toward me, reaching out and searching my face.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked, his voice low and soothing, a purr automatically leaving his chest as he tried to calm me down.
I shook my head as my body relaxed, reaching for his arm. “You’re hurt,” I told him, cradling his hand to me.
His grin was huge and please. “Worried about me?” he asked, leaning forward for a sweet kiss. “I’m fine. The bullet went in and out.”
“You wereshot?” I screeched, startling him, and he shrugged.
“Just twice. It wasn’t anything—”
I covered his mouth with my palm, narrowing my gaze on him. “You wereshot twice,” I demanded, “and you didn’ttell me?”
His eyebrows went up and his eyes widened, but he didn’t remove my palm, only nodding in response.
I took a deep breath, trying to regulate the rush of worry and fury at David that was running through me. After a few seconds, I released the breath, struggling to get under control.
“Okay,” I said in a calm voice. “So from now on, when you get hurt,” I sounded out, trying to be reasonable, “I’d appreciate it if you tell me, alright?”
