“You need a doctor,” Dax insisted.
“We’ll have one come to the hotel.”
“Home. I just want to go home.” I gripped Archer. “Harper. Tell me she’s home. And Mo.”
“Mo is safe with Lane and guarded by the Tarlin team. Harper…well…she’s harder to get rid of.”
I smiled. It hurt like shit, but I smiled wide. “That’s my girl.” But then I remember what I’d said to Lupe in front of Harper. The way I’d made her leave. “She’s safe. That’s what matters.”
They loaded me into a car. During the drive, I was sure my body was going to shatter. Every inch of me hurt. Even my hair.
“What happened? Am I a fugitive now?”
“No. Bastion has just been arrested for illegal immigration and will be held long enough, hopefully, to load on a shit load of crimes that will put him away for life. Lupe was arrested earlier for kidnapping, transporting a kidnap victim over the border, and human trafficking. I suspect we’ll get more information from Dax that will put her away as well.”
I still hurt, but my body relaxed. It was over. I closed my eyes feeling so fucking tired. “Don’t sleep, Noel. Not until you see a doctor.”
“No doctor.”
“Yes doctor, but he’ll come to the hotel.”
“When did you find your backbone?” I asked Archer.
“When you kicked it in shape.”
I closed my eyes again, giving into the fatigue. “Mo isn’t mine. I want to keep him. But who will let me?”
“Who will stop you?” Dax said.
“Noel. Don’t fall asleep.” Archer pushed at me.
I ignored him.
When I woke, I was laying in the softest sheets. The warmth of sunlight bathed my battered body. An angel sat on the bed beside me.
“Am I dead?”
She smiled, but fear and worry continued to shine in her eyes. “No.” Her hand took mine and I felt life flow back into me.
“I must be dreaming because if I was awake, you’d be berating me for how I treated you.”
“Do you want me to berate you?”
“No. I want you to love me.”
Her breath hitched. “I do love you.”
Now I knew I was dead or dreaming. “Impossible. Not after what I did.”
“You did it because you love me.”
I nodded. “The idea of Bastion or Lupe coming after you…” I couldn’t even articulate the fear that idea drove into me. I remembered Bastion saying he was going to find Harper and fuck her. Bile roiled at the thought.
“You’re safe now. So am I.” She was quiet. “I should have told you about the baby.”
Oh yeah. I tugged her down next to me. “Tell me about the baby.”
“You’re not mad?”