Page 98 of Hash

“You should be lying down and resting,” Hash says, but his arms come around me anyway.

“I am resting,” I murmur.

His arms tighten around me, pressing me against him. We both sit in silence, me basking in the warmth that comes from the comfort of being in his arms and him knowing I made it through.

I’ve seen enough true crime shows to know that break-ins happen. But you never think it’s going to happen to you. I looked it up once, and out of every one thousand houses, nine would get broken into that which is insanely low of it happening to you.

Last night opened my eyes to the reality that you’re never truly safe from it not happening to you.

I don’t know how I’m going to be able to go back to my house after this. The thought of staying alone at night makes my chest feel tight, and it’s almost hard to breathe.

“I know you’re tired, baby doll, but I really need you to tell me what happened after I hung up the phone,” Hash says quietly.

I know he needs to hear it. I just don’t want him to have the rage that comes with it.

“I moved Cormac’s dresser in front of the door because I was afraid he would kick the door in. A lot of good that did since he punched it in any way and climbed over the dresser.”

“What did he look like?”

“I can’t really say. He had a ski mask on. I could see only his eyes and mouth. He had on jeans, boots, and a T-shirt, but that doesn’t really help.”

“Do you remember what color his eyes were?”

“No, I’m sorry. I was too distraught trying to protect Cormac that I didn’t focus on that.” I’m kicking myself for not getting more details. How are we supposed to figure out who did this?

“Don’t apologize. I’m so fucking proud of you for protecting our boy.”

I squeeze him tighter as I watch Cormac’s belly rise and fall as he sleeps.

“I tried.”

“There’s no trying. You did. I’m sorry I didn’t get there faster.”

“You came. That’s what matters,” I say with a yawn.

“Let’s lie down. You need to rest. Take the pain meds on the nightstand. I was supposed to go get Doc when you woke up, but what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”

“Are you going to nap with me?”

“Yeah. I haven’t gone to sleep yet,” Hash says as I leave his embrace and slide over against the wall.

Guilt pangs in my chest.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Hash warns as he slides in next to me.

“Like what?” I ask, playing dumb.

“Like you feel like this is your fault. It’s not. So get that out of your fucking head.”

“I can’t magically stop thinking about it because you told me to,” I say with an eye roll as I rest my head on a pillow. Wait. “When did you get two pillows?”

“I had Evan grab them off your bed when she was packing you a bag. I knew you’d want them, and I didn’t want to hear you bitching about me only having one.”

I snort as something lands on my feet. Looking down my body, slightly alarmed, I see Frigg curling in a ball at the foot of the bed.

“You brought Frigg?” I ask as I swallow, trying to keep the emotions that feel like they’re going to drown me at bay.

“I knew you would be worried about her.”