A Stone in the Sea(36)

I rushed to her side and knelt down, pulled her into my arms, one arm banded around her upper back and the other sliding under her knees. Carefully, I lifted her from the floor, having no clue if this girl was injured or just in shock.

Didn’t mean to sigh out in relief when she wrapped those slender arms around my neck, but I did, and I pushed my nose in her hair, pressing kisses to the side of her head and murmuring, “I’ve got you, Shea. I’ve got you, baby.”

I’ve got you.

Her chest quaked, and she started to sob.

Charlie suddenly barreled through the crowd, flinging people out of his way, his eyes about as wild as mine had to be as he searched for Shea. Red was right behind him.

“Shea,” he wheezed, pausing for a fraction of a second as he took in the sight, before he rushed forward when he saw I held her in my arms. He went to take her, but I deflected, gathering her closer because I was pretty damned sure there was no chance I could let her go.

“I’ve got her.” It sounded like a warning. A promise.

It wasn’t until then I realized the band had stopped playing, and a bated silence became palpable in the frantic air—hushed breaths and curious stares—as oglers vied to get a better idea of what had gone down.

A frown cut across Charlie’s face, before he stepped back, turned to shout at the male bartender who was standing on top of the bar to see over the crowd. “Get the cops here to get this asshole out of my house.” He said it with a sneer as he angled his attention on the little prick who was still writhing on the ground spouting some bullshit about taking me to court and making me pay.

Get in line, motherfucker.

Charlie lifted his head in authority. “Everyone else, go home. This ain’t none of your business.”

He gestured with his chin. “Come on. This way.”

He shoved back through the mass, and I held her close as I followed him, her heart thundering against my chest and her tears seeping into my shirt. He led me through the swinging double doors and through the kitchen. Two cooks stopped what they were doing and looked up in a startled worry as we made our way back toward what looked to be the break room.

Red ran ahead and held open the door.

This time her face wasn’t all tweaked with dissatisfaction directed at me, but in its place was a shaky, fumbling concern as she cautiously met my eye as I carried Shea into the room.

Carefully, I laid her down on the worn leather couch pushed up against the wall. I took to a knee at her side and brushed back the hair sticking to her sweet, sweet face, and I knew there wasn’t a chance she couldn’t feel the turmoil trembling through me, the care I shouldn’t feel. The adrenaline-infused chaos clouding my head was beginning to clear, leaving me with a foreign feeling snarled like a viper in my gut.

Charlie nudged me aside, and I let him wedge in to get a better spot near the girl who’d undone something inside of me.

“Tamar,” he yelled, looking at Red. “Grab me a warm wet cloth and some ice, would you?”

She nodded and shuffled out.

“Shea Bear,” he murmured when he turned back to her, his voice hoarse, hands trembling just about as grimly as the panicked fever in my heart. “You hurt, baby girl?”

Groaning, Shea pressed the heel of her hand gingerly to her temple. Her eyes fluttered open. “I hit my head…but I think I’m okay.” She blinked and tried to orient herself. “That guy…he…he…”

Flustered, she attempted to sit up and Charlie lightly prodded her back down. “Watch yourself, sweetheart. Let’s make sure you’re okay before you go out there with claws bared, seeking retaliation.” The words cracked on the joke, his own fear patent.

“Baz,” she whispered toward the ceiling as if she’d just realized I’d remained there with her. My name falling from her lips had me slipping a little deeper. My pulse was going crazy and I edged farther back to put some much-needed space between us, beginning to pace as I tried to sort out everything I was feeling. I gripped a handful of hair, looked back on the girl who lay on the couch.

At her light and her dark and her peace and her torment.

Lying there in silence, she was clearly trying to come to grips with everything, too.

“I know, Bear, I know,” Charlie rumbled low. “We all know. You’re okay. We’ve got you.” Charlie issued the soothing promise while peering in my direction, obviously curious about my role in the whole we got you bit.

I was pretty damned curious, too.

Because right then I wanted to claim it.

I’ve got you.

And just for a little while, I didn’t want to let go.





HIS STRANGE INTENSITY FILLED THE ROOM. But this time…this time it was different. Elevated and agitated and disturbed. He paced back and forth behind Charlie, a tensed-up bundle of rattled nerves, his attention set on his heavy black boots as he took the room in long, strong strides, then pivoted and took it again. But I could feel the weight of severe grey eyes when he’d cast sly, beseeching looks at me each time he passed. Looks that brimmed with the same turmoil I’d swam in for the last four days. Looks I wasn’t entirely sure he knew I was aware he was stealing.