Page 34 of Rowe

Rowe gave a feint grin and nodded.

“He knew before I did. He knew I was falling for you.” They were silent for a few minutes and then Mara stood. She held out her hand and Rowe frowned at her.

“Sleep beside me tonight? Just sleep. Just keep the nightmares away,” she said quietly.

“Just the nightmares?”

“No. Keep it all away, Rowe. Make me believe in good men again.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Rowe lay on top of the heavy quilt, watching as Mara slept. At first, she seemed uncomfortable. Not with him, just with lying in bed and trying to fall asleep.

“Are you in pain?” he’d asked.

“No,” she lied. He stared at her and she nodded. “A little.”

Rowe immediately got up and retrieved her pain meds as well as a warm glass of milk to help her sleep. She obediently took both, no arguments, and within minutes the soft breathing indicated that she had given up the fight.

Now it was his turn to not sleep. He just stared at her beautiful face. They were both on their sides, facing one another. He saw the fine features of her cheekbones and nose. Her slender face, not nearly as gaunt as a few days before. He couldn’t imagine the pain she’d endured during the storm.

Kennedy, Gabi, and Riley all agreed that she’d been hit by debris, possibly large objects like tree branches or pieces of roofs. It didn’t matter if it was a slip of paper. Anything coming at you at nearly two-hundred miles per hour was going to hurt. Yet she’d survived.

Around 0100 he rolled to his back and stared up at the ceiling. He’d always been protective, but this feeling was beyond the normal feelings of protection that he felt for anyone.

“Could she be the one?” he whispered.

“What do you think, you big idiot?” came a gravelly voice. Rowe jumped, sitting up on the side of the bed. He looked back to be sure he hadn’t woken Mara then smirked at Grip.

“Jesus, Grip. Give a guy a warning. I’m still not used the appearing and disappearing shit.” Grip smirked.

“I like it better this way,” he grinned taking a seat on the floor. Rowe stared at him, then at the empty chair in the corner. “What? Look, I’m old as shit but nothing hurts. I’m taking advantage of being able to get up and down off the floor without my fucking bones cracking and snapping like a breakfast cereal.”

“I get it,” smirked Rowe with a whisper.

“You don’t have to worry,” said Grip. “She won’t hear us. You seem confused by her.”

“I guess I am,” said Rowe. “I’ve never had someone I was serious about in my life. But from the moment I saw her on that concrete slab, it was as if a knife went through my heart.” Grip nodded.

“I can understand that,” said Grip. “I never felt that for a woman but I damn sure felt it the first time I saw Doug.” Rowe said nothing, just watching the ghostly warrior.

“I should have told the world that I loved him and not given two fucks about what anyone else thought. At the very least, I should have told my teammates. They wouldn’t have cared. I kept him a secret and because I was constantly conflicted and trying to make sense of my life, I lost focus that day with Montana.”

“Grip, I’m sure Doug knows that you loved him. Does it hurt to see him and Miguel together?” asked Rowe.

“No. Not at all. I’m happy he found love afterwards. Did I think it would be an ex-drug lord and ultimate bad guy? No,” he smirked. “But Miguel changed his ways and, in the process, realized who he was as well. Besides, I have Jonathon now. I love him and I make sure he knows it every single day.”

“I’m not sure if this is love,” said Rowe. “I’m not sure if I know how to tell if it is or not.”

“Son, if you wait until you’ve figure that out, she’ll be gone. If she has no reason to stay, even after Rossi is dealt with, she’ll leave. How does that make you feel?”

Rowe rubbed his chest, a sudden burning ache that nearly had him doubled over. He looked at Grip and shook his head.

“I can’t let that happen,” he said softly.

“Then don’t be an idiot. Keep her safe but tell her how you feel. You don’t have to profess love right now but at least let her know that you’re feeling something for her beyond protective instincts.”

“What if she still wants to leave?” asked Rowe.