Memories assaulted me. The panic on my mother’s face as they told me they couldn’t find Shiloh. The terror in Jael’s face as someone held a gun to her head. So many screams.
Soft hands curled around my face again. “Beckett, look at me.”
I forced my lids open, staring down into the hazel orbs in front of me. Her eyes almost looked like sunflowers—the flares of gold around the pupil melting into a sea of green. “Stay with me.”
It was a plea, and I couldn’t deny her. “I’m with you.”
“Good.” Her thumbs stroked my face. “You went away.”
Memories. They were the greatest gift and the worst nightmare. “I’m here now.” I couldn’t let myself go back to those places, not when my hold on myself was tenuous.
“Stay.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” I leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Addie’s forehead. She sank into the touch. I didn’t want the moment to end—the feel of her skin, the press of her body against mine.
A throat cleared, and I forced myself to straighten. Hayes’ eyes went from me to Addie and back again. “We’re booking him.”
I glanced out the window to see Deputy Young pushing Walter into the back of a squad car as two other officers looked on. I flexed my hand, knuckles aching with the movement.
“We’ll need to get both of your statements. Separately.”
I jerked my chin at my brother. “Fine.” Then I turned back to Addie, scanning her face. There was a red streak across her cheek that I knew was a palm print. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “I really am. Promise.” The smile that lit her face almost knocked me on my ass. “I think I hurt him worse. I did that knee thing you taught me.”
I wanted to return her smile, but I couldn’t get my mouth to obey the command to do so. “I hate that you had to.”
She laid a hand on my chest. “But now I know I can. I got away. He didn’t hurt me. Not really.”
I ran a hand over the back of her skull where I knew Walter had grabbed her. I gently rubbed and massaged. “It’s more hurt than I ever want you to experience.”
Addie’s expression gentled. “You can’t protect me from everything.”
“The hell I can’t.”
Laiken couldn’t hold in her laugh as she looked at Addie. “Told you.”
Addie’s gaze jumped around the room as if she were just now realizing what had really happened and where. “Oh, God, Laiken. I’m so sorry.”
Laiken held up a hand. “Don’t you dare apologize for that asshat. I’d like to give him a second knee to the nuts.”
“Amen to that,” Deputy Young said as she came back inside.
Hayes sent her a quelling look.
She held up both hands. “I can’t hold in my distaste for that man. He’s awful.”
“You’re not telling me anything I don’t know, but we need to remain professional,” Hayes said.
Young shrugged. “You never want me to have any fun.”
“Will you go take Laiken’s and Addie’s statements, please?”
I turned to Addie. “Take some ibuprofen before she does, and let me know if you think you need something stronger.”
Laiken motioned the two women towards the back. “I have some in the kitchen.”
I watched them walk away and had to force myself not to follow.