That Emerald Vow (The Crimson Creed #2)

25. Chapter Twenty-Five

I have two missed calls and voicemails from Damon when I finally get out of surgery. There is a hot, painful stinging sensation emanating from where my hand clings to my phone so hard that the side-buttons dig in. That stupid fucking surgery took hours. I’m glad it was successful and the patient will be okay, but I could not stop thinking about Lily.

It wasn’t possible for me to scrub out in the middle of a surgery because us nurses don’t get to stop until the doctor does or the surgery ends. But as soon as I finish, I go straight to tell the hospital that I will be taking the rest of the day off for a family emergency. Without even listening to the messages, I know I need to get the fuck out of here because I’m a danger to my patients unfocused. The voicemail only solidified the need. Lily is coming home to me. They are going to find her and bring her safely home.

I’m not even paying any mind to the intrusive other thoughts of her state of being.

As soon as I get home, I take a shower and get clean. Then I start to clean up the mess that has been my home this past week with papers and files strewn about. I even get the guest bedroom ready in case Lily wants to stay here, as I’m doubtful she wants to be alone right now. I know I wouldn’t.

As I start smacking the pillows to fluff them, my phone chimes with an incoming text, and the words immediately make me fall to my knees. I sob in relief as the breath I had been holding for the past week finally releases.

Lily is safe and coming home.

I can hear the engine of Adrian’s car coming around the corner and immediately run downstairs and rip the door open just as they pull into the driveaway.

I rush to her and lunge to embrace her as soon as she’s out of the car, almost making her fall back into the seat. “Lily!” I shove her body away as I quickly assess her, making note to check more thoroughly later. “You are never allowed to do that to me again,” I say before pulling her back into a hug.

“I love you too,” she says, squeezing me back. “Now, can I please go inside?”

Letting her out of the embrace, I grab her wrist and lead her to my house, not giving her any opportunity to say goodbye to Adrian or Damon. “They’ll come by later. Right now, I need to make sure you’re okay.” I texted Damon earlier that we would need alone time, especially after everything she went through, but they were welcome to come over later.

We spend the next couple hours talking about what happened to her, how one of the men, Rowan, helped her, the kindness shown by some of the girls and the cruelty of others, how we ended up finding her, and more. I tend to her wounds, and while I am able to keep my composure externally since I’m used to it from work, internally, I’m breaking at the sight of what my beautiful, resilient best friend went through. There are scars from a knife or something all over her torso.

We both decide that what she needs is something that will take our minds off of the worst things in the world and focus on what we can control. Which is what led us to the abandoned building outside of town. I’m sure Adrian and Damon are somewhere nearby in case we need them but are also allowing us some space.

“Shall we, babe?” I ask as I hand her the serrated blade.

She gives a weak smile but takes it from me before saying, “Yes.”

We picked up someone on our list, and Reid was willing to help us determine that he was at a local bar. I snuck him a special cocktail blend of drugs I made. It seems to have worked great because he’s slowly waking up—just when I want him to—bound and gagged on the floor.

“Looks like he’s awake now,” I sing-song. “You want to start?”

“Actually, I do,” she says, the fire in her eyes returning as he wakes up. She walks over and kneels down before stabbing him in the shoulder, forcing him to jolt wide awake.

“What the fuck? That hurt,” he screams.

“Cause you gave a fuck when you hurt all those kids?” I ask.

“W-what are you talking about?” he stammers.

Lily is smirking now as she pulls out the blade. “We know all about your secrets, Fred. And we’re finally going to exact revenge for all those who couldn’t.” She places the tip of the knife on his chest before quickly slicing him, making him whimper out in pain. “One painful cut at a time.”

I drag a chair and take a seat, allowing Lily this moment for herself. This is more about what she needs than me; I’m just glad she is okay. She cuts, stabs, punches, and kicks him until she can’t anymore. By the time she’s done, anyone who knows him won’t be able to recognize him.

“Feel better?” I ask as she walks over to me, covered in blood. I’m glad we brought a change of clothes because that would be hard to explain.

“Much. That’s exactly what I needed. But now I want some cookies and cream ice cream and a nice sleep.”

“Both of those things can be arranged. Let’s go,” I say as I pull her into my side and head to change our clothes.

Adrian and Damon come over while Lily is getting ready for bed, and I point out the guest bedroom so Adrian can go be with her. None of us want to leave her alone for too long—we need her to know she’s safe.

I look up at Damon as I walk into the living room where he waits for me. He looks so eager to help. But I don’t think he realizes how much he’s done for me in the short months I’ve known him. Never leaving my side while we dealt with everything with Lily solidified it even more for me. There’s no mistaking that I have fallen head first for this man. I love him.

Damon pats the seat next to him as he sits on the couch. My bottom lip instinctually comes out in a quiver as I fall next to him in a loud sigh. His arms immediately pull me to him.

“She’s safe, baby. You’re safe. We’re all safe.”

“I can’t even express how relieved I am that she’s okay. Okay may not be the right word . . . but safe,” I admit. “I’ve never been so terrified in my life, Day.”

“I know, baby. I know,” he says as he rubs my back.

I sit up and look deeply into his eyes as I place both of his hands in my own. “Thank you for being my rock through this. You were here almost every night helping me search, making sure I ate, making sure I survived . . . I couldn’t have done this without you.”

He takes back a hand to wipe a loose tear as he looks at me with a warmth I’ve only ever seen him show me. “Yes, you could have. You are so fucking strong. Charlotte Thatcher is a fucking fierce badass, and there is no doubt in my mind she would have moved heaven and earth to find her best friend.”

“Wow . . .”

“What?” he whispers as he continues to graze my cheek with his thumb even though the tears are gone.

“You really mean it when you say it,” I say in disbelief. “I never thought I would find someone who would truly mean it when they said they . . . believe in me.”

His dimples become prominent as his smile grows. “Oh, my little gem, there are no words to truly describe how I feel about you. How proud I am of the woman you are. How in awe I am of your strength. How humbled I am that you are willing to put up with my dumb ass.”

I laugh. “Is Damon Hayes admitting he is a dumbass?” I pretend to look behind him at the window. “Are there pigs flying outside?”

“Ha, ha!” he chuckles. “Hope you memorialize the moment ‘cause it won’t happen again.”

“I think that’s doubtful. I’ll get it out of you,” I tease.

He gently tugs on my face to motion me to come closer, his eyes going from my eyes to lips. “Maybe you’re right. Because I am downright crazy obsessed with you . . . and with how amazing those lips taste.”

“Damon,” I moan out. I can taste his breath on my lips with how close we are and it sends electric waves down to my toes.

“Are we still pretending? Or can this be real?” he asks—more like begs.

“Real,” I whisper as I slowly move my lips to his, bridging the small gap. His lips feel so soft against my own. I part my lips taking in his as they dance in a slow intricate way against one another—savoring every moment. I’ve never been so thankful to be seated. Because if I were standing, this kiss would have me on my knees. These past few weeks have changed everything.

“You taste perfect,” Damon says as I feel his tongue lightly flick my own, playfully. “Absolutely perfect.”

I flick my own tongue back before swirling it around his, deepening our kiss. My heart runs rampant in my chest as our hands roam and explore.

Nibbling on his bottom lip, I say, “This is everything . . .” We continue to explore each other through this kiss and light touches, wanting to enjoy this new found intimacy we have never experienced.

When I finally come up for air, my lips are swollen and the tingles are running rampant in my body. I can see Damon also needs a moment to catch his breath.

“Day,” I whisper.

“I know, baby.” I look at him, loving that I don’t even need to say what’s on my mind. We need to pause here. As much as we want more and may be ready for this, tonight is not the night for it when emotions are high. Especially with my best friend, who’s been through hell, in the other room, even if I know she can’t hear us. “Let’s get you to bed.”

“Only if you stay with me.” My eyes look at him, pleading.

He kisses my forehead. “I don’t plan to go anywhere.” We walk to my bedroom with our hands interlocked, and I’ve never felt so safe and cared for.