Out of Mind (26 page)

I swallowed hard, clinging to him.

Had he been talking to me or the officer?

Hours later, and a million questions later, I finally got released from the interrogation room. I don’t know if that’s what it actually was, but man, it had felt like it. They’d asked me so many questions, over and over again, that my fucking head hurt more than ever. I rubbed my temples, wanting nothing more than to lie down in a dark room for a whole day.

“Griffin.” A door opened beside me and Senator Wallington stepped out, looking as impeccable as always in his gray three-piece suit. “A word?”

Shit.
“Yes, of course.”

I followed him into the empty room…well, almost empty. Mrs. Wallington stood in the corner, watching me cautiously. “Griffin.”

“Mrs. Wallington.” I nodded at her and turned back to Senator Wallington. “You two got here way too fast. Or was I really in there that long?”

“We were actually in Arizona for a meeting. We arrived a little more than an hour ago.”

“Oh.” I dragged my hands down my face. “You’re here to ask me to leave Carrie alone, I assume?”

Mrs. Wallington stepped forward. “Griffin—”

“Wait, let me talk first.” I lifted my chin. “I was a mess before, and I know it. I wasn’t worthy of Carrie like that, but I got better. I’ve been going to therapy, and I don’t take pills or drink.”

Senator Wallington shook his head. “But you left her. Walked away and didn’t even care.”

“I
cared
.” I fisted my hands. “I cared way too much.”

Mrs. Wallington nodded. “You did. I know that. But what makes you think you’re better for her now?”

“Because I’m me again, and I love her more than anything. I love her enough to walk away when I needed to. I’m not walking away again, not if she wants me.” I met Senator Wallington’s eyes. “She doesn’t forgive me yet, but if she ever does, you can be damn sure I will never break her heart again. I’ll cherish her till I die. She’s…she’s my life.”

Mrs. Wallington’s eyes filled with tears. “I believe you.”

“Margie,” Senator Wallington hissed. He gave her a long look before turning to me with hard eyes. “Why were you there today?”

“I know I shouldn’t have been there, since I don’t work for you anymore, but I was—and that’s a good thing. I was able to help Hernandez.”

“I heard.” He crossed his arms and studied me. “You look better. Less…”

“Messed up?”

He nodded. “Yes. That.”

Mrs. Wallington gasped. “Don’t be rude, Hugh.”

“He’s right, though,” I said, smiling at her. “I am less messed up now.”

“Good.” He stepped closer, his gaze dipping over me. “I won’t pretend you’re my choice for her, but if you make her happy, and keep yourself in check, I’m willing to give you a second chance. I might even approve of you, over time.”

“Me too,” Mrs. Wallington said, resting her hand on my arm. “I know how much you love her, Griffin.” She cocked her head. “Finn, I mean.”

I blinked, my hands hovering at my sides. What. The. Fuck? “Ma’am…?”

“It’s what she calls you, right?” She smiled at me, her eyes tearing up. “If you’re going to be with her, we should call you that, too.”

Senator Wallington cleared his throat. “I saw what happened to her when you left. I don’t want to ever see that again.” He held his hand out for mine, waiting. “I’m willing to accept you not because I have to, but because I think in the end…you just might be the best partner for her. You’ll die for her. Live for her. Do anything to keep her safe.”

I swallowed hard. “Always. But sir, she’s with Riley now.”

“No, she’s not. We tried to urge that along, but it’s not going to happen.” He frowned at me. “You better love her the right way this time, because I’m determined to see her happy again. No drinking. No drugs. No punching walls.”

“I’m better now. Still not the same guy I used to be, and I don’t think I ever will be, but I love her with all my heart.” I tugged on my hair, eyeing Mrs. Wallington. “I only left her because I wasn’t good for her. I—”

He waved his hand. “We all know you were in a dark place, yes, but you seem better now. I hear you go to therapy twice a week, and the nightmares have mostly stopped?”

I stared him down. “Sir, have you been reading my medical records?”

“No.” He laughed. “Your roommate, otherwise known as Hernandez, is keeping me informed. He told me when you came back, and I’ve been watching you ever since. Watching you heal.”

“But why?” I asked, more confused than ever. “I don’t understand.”

“Because I want Carrie to be happy, and you’re the one who makes her happy.” He laid a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “Speaking of which, do you want your old job back, Griffin…er, Finn? With our permission to date and love our daughter for the rest of your life, as long as you treat her like you should?”

I swallowed hard. “I have to talk to her first. See if that’s what she wants. But I…I want to go to college. I think Richards is still going to pay for me to go, even though I’m not a Marine anymore. He told me he was.”

“Then go to the same college as Carrie,” Mrs. Wallington said. “That would be perfect.”

Senator Wallington motioned in the general direction of the campus. “I’ll even pay for your education myself as part of your salary if that’s what it takes for you to come back. But if you ever hurt her again, I’ll—”

Mrs. Wallington stepped forward. “What he
means
, Finn, is we forgive you. We’re willing to move on instead of dwelling on the past.” Mrs. Wallington held on to her husband’s arm. “Isn’t that right, Hugh?”

He flinched. “Yes. That’s right.”

“Thank you. I…I don’t know what to say,” I said, my throat feeling way too damn tight.

“She’s waiting for you out there,” Mrs. Wallington said. “You ready to go back to her?”

I looked at the door. “What about Riley?”

“He’s there, too,” Senator Wallington said, opening the door. “But I told you, she doesn’t love him. I’d
prefer
her to love him, to be honest, but she just doesn’t.”

“I’ll guard her, even if she’s with him.” I gritted my teeth. “I’ll do it anyway, so I might as well get paid for it. I can’t trust anyone else. What about Hernandez?”

“He quit already. Said being a Marine was enough danger for any one man,” the senator said, straightening his tie. “I never saw him as long-term. I was just waiting.”

I cocked a brow. “For?”

“You. I knew you’d be back.”

“So did I,” Mrs. Wallington said.

I shook my head. This was the weirdest fucking conversation ever. “If she does take me back, I’m not changing for you.” I stared him down, running my fingers over my scar. “She likes me the way I am. Or, she did, anyway.”

He inclined his head. “Fair enough. As long as you treat her right this time, I can work with that. But if you—”

“
Hugh
.”

Senator Wallington cut off, shooting me one last look before heading for the door. I didn’t say anything else. I followed them out into the main area, my heart thundering in my ears. Were they right? Did Carrie want me, even though Riley had come back into the picture at the worst moment? We entered the room, and I saw her immediately. Her hair was down now, and she sat next to Riley.

She looked fucking exhausted.

We walked over to them, me a few steps behind the Wallingtons. Carrie looked up, cried out, and flung herself into my arms. “Are you okay? They had you in there forever.”

I hesitated only a second before I closed my arms around her tight. Riley locked gazes with me, nodding once. Saying he was okay with this type of contact with his girlfriend, I suppose. “I’m okay. I just have a headache.”

She let go of me, framed my face with her hands, and nodded. “Let’s get you home.”

“You mean to Hernandez’s place?”

“He’s not there. He said he was leaving the job and the apartment—since the apartment belongs to Carrie’s guard,” Senator Wallington said, heading for the door. “We’ll take you there.”

I had no idea what was going on, but I didn’t want to ask Carrie in front of them.

My questions would have to wait.

We all piled in to the limo, mostly silent. Finally, Carrie spoke. “Apparently, they came after us because of Cory.”

“Cory?” I snapped, my head lifting instantly. “What did he do?’

“He hired them to scare us, and make Riley look like a fool since he couldn’t protect me.” She shrugged. “Cory thought that would make me break up with Riley, I guess. Or maybe he thought it would scare Riley off. I don’t know.”

I curled my hands into fists. I’d kill the fucker. “They did more than scare you both.”

“Yeah, they broke the plan. They decided to ransom us off for money and leave us somewhere to be found afterward,” Riley said, looking down at his bandaged arm. “They were looking for money for their next fix, and thought they found it in us.”

“
Cory
,” I snarled, rage choking me. “I always knew that guy was trouble.”

She nodded. “You were right. I should have believed you. He’ll be facing charges now.”

I snorted. “He should face me. I’ll make him sorry he ever thought of endangering you.”

“Agreed,” Senator Wallington said. “For once.”

We all fell silent until the limo stopped in front of my old place. I nodded my head at Riley and the Wallingtons. Finally, I locked eyes with Carrie. “Thanks for the ride.”

“You bet,” Carrie said, her hands clutched in her lap.

I nodded and got out of the car, heading up the walkway. Swallowing hard, I dug my key out of my pocket. It had been way too fucking hard to walk away from Carrie again. You’d think I would be used to it by now.

“Hey, wait up!” Carrie called out.

I stopped, my heart lurching. Slowly, I turned. The limo left, but Carrie stayed. I didn’t know what to think of that. “Yeah?”

“Did you mean it?”

I gripped my keys tight. “Did I mean what?”

“That you still loved me, and never stopped?”

“Of course,” I said. “I love you, and nothing will ever—”

She flung herself in my arms, kissing me into silence. I dropped the keys to the ground, picking her up and hugging her against my chest. By the time the kiss ended, we were both out of breath. She pulled back, her cheeks flushed and her blue eyes shining. “Can I come up with you?”

“Yes.” I nodded, feeling completely flustered. “Of course.”

She bent down, picked up the keys, and headed for the door without breaking stride. “Did you know Hernandez never slept in your bed?”

I rubbed my jaw and followed her, using all my strength and resolve to not grab her and pick up where that kiss had ended. What did it mean? Did it mean she loved me, too? That she forgave me? Fuck, I hoped so. “I did. He was on the couch when I came back. He said it didn’t feel right taking over my place when he had his own a few miles away. So I’ve been sleeping in my bed, and he’s been on the couch.”

“He never got rid of his place?”

“Nah. He owns it.” I glanced her way. “He’s had it ever since his grandfather died. He just stayed here for the job.”

She shook her head. “He never wanted this job.”

“No.” I took the keys out of her hand and unlocked the door. “He did it for me.”

“I know.” She walked inside. She took it all in, her face a mixture of hope and nostalgia. “Now we talk.”

I closed the door and tossed the keys on the table. “Okay.”

“Do…” She sat down on the bed, bouncing to test it out. She looked back toward the pillow, frowning when she saw the purple rose on the pillow. Reaching out, she picked it up and looked at me. “What’s this?”

“I was going to give it to you, but then decided the note was too much.” I shifted on my feet. “Too soon, because you hadn’t forgiven me yet.”

She looked down at it, her fingers lightly caressing the petals. “Can I read it?”

“Yeah, I guess so.” I crossed the room and grabbed six more. I’d struggled to pick the right message today. “Here’s the rest.”

She looked up at me, her eyes filling with tears. “Were these all too personal, too?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

She took a deep breath and unrolled the paper. “
Love me
.”

“Yeah.” I tossed the red one on the bed. I hadn’t even realized that people dyed roses all these crazy colors until recently. I thought they only came in red or pink. “This one says:
The sun is shining
.
Love me
.” The pale green one. “
I can’t live without you. Love me
.” Pink next. “
You look beautiful. Love me
.” Another pink one. “
I’ll never make you cry again. Love me.
” Last, the yellow one. I tossed that in her lap. “
I want to marry you. Love me
.”

She looked up at me, tears falling down her cheeks, and picked up the yellow one, holding it to her chest. “God, Finn.”

“I’m going to be honest with you here.” I paced her way, nibbling on my thumbnail. “I’ll never be the same guy you fell in love with. I still get headaches, I have scars, and I occasionally have those nightmares, too. I don’t drink to hide the pain anymore, and I don’t abuse pain pills anymore, either. I was in a dark, dark hole the last time we were together, but I’m better now.”

She stood up, still holding the yellow rose. “Finn—”