The Risks We Take Duet Box Set

83. Cooper

COOPER

I press my lips to her forehead and hold Carys close to me while she cries, ignoring everyone around us. Lost in the relief that she’s here. She’s alive and clinging to me, like I didn’t just shoot someone in front of her. “Shh. It’s okay. We’re okay.”

“Are we?” she asks between ragged breaths. “Are you okay? What did the police say? What did the Navy say?” She clings to me, and I finally feel like I can breathe again.

“It was self-defense. I’m not under arrest. Ford is dealing with the Navy.” The local police made me go over everything with three different detectives more times than I can count before the military police showed up. They still have jurisdiction since Axel was a Navy SEAL. Even if he was AWOL. Ford smoothed things over with them so I could get to Carys as soon as possible.

Holding her in my arms with her blood literally on my hands as she passed out was the scariest fucking moment of my life.

Now, as I sit next to her, she lays her head on my chest, and I refuse to let go. I glance over at Rook and nod. “Thank you for being here when I couldn’t.”

“Any time, brother. Do you want me to stick around?” Rook shoves his hands in his pockets and looks at my girl with soft, concerned eyes.

“No. I appreciate it. I’m going to take her back to Trick’s house for the night.” Carys pulls back and tips her head up to mine.

“For the night? I don’t want to go back to the house tomorrow. I don’t want to see that room again. Ever.” What little color she has drains from her cheeks. “Where’s Emerson? Where did she go with Elodie?” Her eyes grow worried. “Oh, God. Did she see...? Was Elodie there?”

“Don’t worry about it, I offered her Trick’s house, but she said no. I don’t think she wanted to be in Linc’s room.” In reality, she freaked the fuck out, but Carys doesn’t need to know that now. I think if I’d taken Elodie from Emerson’s arms and handed her my gun, she’d have gone upstairs and shot Axel again. “Ford took her back to her house. She said she was there with Rook earlier, and she threw together a bag to take with her.”

“Should we go there? What if she needs help?” My beautiful girl has a heart of gold, but this time, I’m making sure she thinks of herself first for a change.

“No,” I shut her down. “We’re going to Trick’s house tonight, and then we’re getting on a plane tomorrow and going back to Kroydon Hills. I’ve already spoken to Dad and Katherine. It was the only way to convince them not to fly out here.” I press my lips to her head. “And I’ve got to tell you, I really don’t want them here.”

She opens her mouth to argue, but I gently press my lips to hers. “I love you. Let me take care of you. Please, baby.”

With a gentle nod of her head, she whispers, “Fine. Let’s go home.”

She’s quiet for the better part of the next hour, listening to the instructions from her doctor and signing away her life on the discharge papers. It’s not until we get in the Jeep that Carys laces her fingers through mine and begins to crash after her adrenaline rush, slumping against the seat.

“You okay?” I squeeze her hand as we pull out of the hospital parking garage. “Want me to stop and get you anything?”

“No. I just want... I’m not even sure what I want at this point, Cooper. To sleep for a month, maybe... How are you ?”

“I’m fine.” I don’t even sound convincing to my own ears. When Carys’s eyes bore into the side of my head, I glance her way. Guess I’m not fooling her either. “I’ll be fine.”

Maybe if we both say it enough, we’ll start believing it.

Cooper

Just got home from the hospital. Carys has six stitches and a concussion. We’re staying at Trick’s tonight.

Dad

Calling now. Answer your phone.

My phone rings with an incoming FaceTime from my dad, and I swipe to answer the call. “Max already has the jet heading to you. It’s all over the news, son. Daphne saw it. Everyone’s seen it, and everyone’s worried sick. How are you both doing? The news said Carys lost consciousness.”

“I want to talk to Carys,” Katherine demands. “Where is she?”

“She’s in the shower right now. But she should be out soon,” I tell my stepmother, trying to hide the exhaustion and fear currently fighting for control within me. “We don’t need the Kingston jet, Dad. We’re going to see if we can get tickets to fly home tomorrow, or Wednesday at the latest.” I try to hide my growing frustration at being handled after the fucking day we’ve had, but I’m doing a piss-poor job of it.

Carys walks out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her damp skin and sits down on my lap. Her hands circle my waist, and her head rests on my shoulder.

“Oh, sweetheart.” Katherine’s hand flies to her mouth. “Thank God you’re both okay.” Her red eyes well with tears. “When Cooper called... We’re just so lucky you’re both alive and in one piece.”

Dad’s eyes soften when he sees Carys. “Hey, kiddo. How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay, Coach,” she lies. “Just a headache.”

“I was just telling Cooper that Max and Daphne insisted they send the jet for you. I think Daphne wanted to come herself, but Max convinced her you both might want a little space.” I’ll have to remember to thank Max.

“What time will the jet be here?” Carys yawns.

“Not until after midnight. Just let Max know what time you want to leave tomorrow.” Dad wraps an arm around a teary Katherine. “We love you kids.”

“Love you too, Dad. We’ll see you tomorrow.” I slide my finger across the screen and end the call, then put the phone down and wrap my arms around Carys.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine, Cooper.” She holds my face in her hands. “Physically, I’m fine. My head’s going to hurt for a few days. But I’m more worried about you . Talk to me. Tell me how you’re feeling. And don’t tell me you’re fine. You killed a man today, Coop.”

“And I’d do it again if it meant saving your life, Carys. He’s not the first man I’ve killed.” I wrap an arm under her legs and another around her back, then stand and carry her into my room, placing her in the middle of the bed. “I’m going to jump in the shower. Why don’t you decide what you want to order for dinner? The fridge is empty, and you need to eat something.”

“I’m not hungry.” She purses her lips, clearly annoyed with my avoidance.

“Fine. Are you going to call Emerson?” I strip down to my boxers and wait her out.

She stands from the bed and rifles through my closet until she finds the tee she wants and slips it over her head. “I will. I want to see her before we go home tomorrow. I feel like I’m abandoning her.”

“You’re not abandoning her. You’re taking care of yourself.” I pick her phone up from the dresser and hold it out for her. “Call her. We can go see her tonight or tomorrow morning. Your choice.”

She crosses the room and presses her lips to mine. “I love you, Coop.”

“You are the air I breathe, Carys.”