Page 135 of Addicted

She looked exhausted. She looked traumatized. And it was all my fault.

“Come here,” I said, my voice low.

Indie didn’t hesitate. She climbed onto the bed and threw her arms around my neck, hugging me so tight I could barely breathe, but I didn’t care. I wrapped my good arm around her waist and pulled her closer, ignoring the pain that shot through my shoulder.

“I was so scared,” she whispered against my neck. “I thought I lost you.”

I closed my eyes and pressed my face into her hair.

“I’m right here. I ain’t going nowhere,” I said quietly.

Indie let out a shaky breath, her body trembling against mine.

We stayed like that for a long moment. Just holding each other, just breathing together. Then I pulled back, my hand moving to her face.

I tilted her chin up so I could see her clearly. The bruises on her neck were dark purple and finger-shaped. My jaw clenched so hard I thought my teeth mightcrack.

“Are you okay?” I asked, my voice tight. “What he do to you?”

Indie’s eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them back.

“They knocked me out in the van,” she said quietly. “When I woke up, I was tied to a chair. Wes... he choked me. And he hit me in the face.”

She touched her split lip gingerly, wincing.

I felt my blood start to boil. I felt that familiar rage building in my chest, but it wasn’t just rage. It was guilt. Overwhelming, crushing guilt.

“I’m so fuckin’ sorry, baby,” I said, my voice breaking. “That should’ve never happened. I failed you. I failed our child.”

Indie’s eyes widened, and she shook her head vehemently.

“No,” she said firmly. “You didn’t fail us. You saved us. If you didn’t find me, Wes would’ve done much worse.”

I wanted to believe her. I wanted to let myself off the hook, but I couldn’t, because the truth was, Ihadfailed her. I’d let my guard down. I’d let a traitor get close enough to take her. I’d let her get hurt, let her get scared, and I’d never forgive myself for that.

I ignored the pain in my shoulder and pulled Indie into my chest, wrapping both arms around her. I kissed the top of her head over and over again.

“I love you,” I said against her hair. “I love you so fuckin’ much, baby.”

“I love you too,” Indie whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

I held her tighter, breathing in her scent. I wastrying to convince myself that she was here. That she was safe. That I hadn’t lost her.

The door to the room opened, and I looked up to see Kenzo walking in. Relief crossed his face when he saw me awake.

“Yo, you good?” he asked, walking over to the bed.

I nodded. “Yeah. I’m straight.”

Kenzo’s eyes flicked to Indie, then back to me.

“Doc said the bullet went clean through,” he said. “No major damage. You just gotta rest and let it heal.”

I didn’t give a fuck about resting. I had other shit to handle.

“Wes,” I said, my voice cold. “Is he alive?”

Kenzo nodded slowly. “Yeah. We got his bitch ass. We just waiting on you.”