Page 96 of His Gentle Omega
“He went down a ditch and hit a tree head on. He wasn’t wearing his seatbelt, and he was traveling at a high rate of speed.”
My eyes had started some kind of rapid-fire blinking that I had no control over, my heart pounding so loudly in my ears, all I could hear was rushing air.
“I’m sorry,” Becks’ tone was quiet, but steady, “Edward was ejected from the vehicle. He didn’t make it.”
“What?” My knees trembled and I grabbed onto a hard chair in front of me. “What?”
Becks eased me into the chair, his hand on my shoulder. “His body has been transported here, but we still need you to make a positive identification, if you are up to it. It’s best if a mate does it.”
Shaking my head, I mumbled, “I’m not his mate. Not anymore.”
Through my haze, I saw Becks nod. “I understand. We can wait for next of kin to get here. Would you be able to give me that information?”
He was talking slowly, clearly, like he was afraid I didn’t understand what he was saying. Maybe I didn’t. Maybe this was what shock felt like. Dazed, and hazy, and not quite real.
“I’ll do it,” I whispered, my hands clenched together tightly. Digging my nails into my skin to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.That this wasn’t another one of my nightmares. That this was really happening. “I’ll I.D. him.”
Becks gave my shoulder a sympathetic squeeze. “There are other ways.”
“No,” standing shakily, I was grateful for his steadying hand, “no. I need to do this. I need to see him with my own eyes. I need to make sure the monster is really gone.”
I had no idea how long I had been sitting on the padded bench outside of the morgue. Long enough for my ass to go numb. Actually my entire body was numb.
Body trembling, silent tears ran down my face, as I sat in the gloomy hallway, alone.
Vaguely, I heard the elevator ding from the opposite side of the long hall, followed by soft footsteps that I paid no attention to.
“Shay.” Looking up at my quietly spoken name, I was barely able to see through the wetness of my eyes.
Bennett stood there, holding out a hand to me, the white of the bandage around his arm bright in the gloom. “Let’s go home.”
A strangled sob ripped from my throat, and I grasped his outstretched hand like it was a lifeline. Bennett stared into my eyes, cupping my cheek. Even with me seated he was only a couple of inches taller than me, but just enough that I had to look up at him.
“I didn’t want it to end this way,” I whispered roughly, shaking my head. “Not like this.”
“I know,” he said, just as quietly.
“I don’t even know why I’m crying. Why am I crying? He doesn’t deserve my tears.”
“You’re crying because you’re human. And you’re a decent, kind person.” Bennett pulled me to him, and I grasped him in a tight hug, burying my sobbing face against his small, rounded belly. He gently carded his fingers through my hair, his lips kissing the top of my head, and I sobbed louder.
“Shh,” he whispered, continuing to stroke my hair. “You’re crying because you loved him once, and because he was Lucas’s father. Now let’s go home, my love. Let’s go home.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Bennett
Waking to a hard muscled body settling between my legs, and warm whispered words being spoken to my belly, I stayed still. Hoping Shay wouldn’t know I was awake yet.
Yesterday had been terrifying, joyful, and gut wrenching. Seth had driven us to Shay’s house, Asher having agreed he would keep Lucas for the night. We had undressed like zombies, then fallen into Shay’s king-size bed, exhaustion claiming us both.
Twice Shay had woken me with his nightmares. Both times as soon as I had laid a soothing hand on him, he had calmed, never fully waking. Finally, to make sure we both got some rest, I had slept with my hand touching his skin.
“You are loved. You are wanted. I know your daddy–or papa maybe?–we’ll work on what to call him, thinks this is all too soon. But I’m so veryhappy about you.”
Smiling serenely, I reached down and ran my fingers through his hair. Craning my neck, I looked down the length of my body. Shay’s blue eyes peeked up at me, his lips hovering over the small swell of my belly.
“What’cha doing?” Grinning, I couldn’t help teasing him.
