Page 18 of Journey To Sunrise (Protectors of Jasper Creek #6)

Chapter Thirteen

Chloe

The waiting room was filled with grim-faced men and women covered in soot. Some still had parts of their uniforms on.

As soon as I came into the room flanked by Drake and Evie, a blond-bearded man stood up and made his way over to me.

“You’re Chloe, aren’t you?”

“Zarek. What do you know about Zarek? They wouldn’t tell me anything downstairs.”

I was barely keeping it together.

“They’re doing a CT scan. He’s conscious.”

I saw a young woman holding a toddler.

“And the others? How are they doing?”

“Juan is in surgery. His leg got caught under one of the beams. It’s a mess. They’re putting in hardware. It was Zarek who carried him out.”

I tried to smile but just didn’t have it in me.

“Gus said three people were injured?” Drake asked. “What’s the status of the third person?”

“Kylie Powers pulled out the last worker. The man was out of control with fear, knocked Kylie’s face gear off.

She ended up inhaling a lot of smoke, but she got both of them out of there.

Damn it, almost all of us wanted to kick that guy’s ass.

Here she was trying to save him, and he could have ended up getting them both killed. ”

“When are we going to hear about Zarek?” I asked.

“They said it would be about an hour,” Luke said. “He’ll be fine. He has a hard head.”

“Come sit down.” Evie guided me to an empty chair.

I did my best to keep calm, but I knew the fact that Zarek had been conscious and then had passed out was a bad sign. Every bad outcome I had ever read about in school came rushing back to me.

“Honey, you’re whimpering,” Drake said as he put his arm around me.

I looked up at my big brother with tear-filled eyes.

“You know it’s bad too.”

“I’m used to this shit happening far from hospitals.

I’m doing a fucking happy dance that he’s at one of the nation’s premier trauma centers, instead of in the middle of some Godforsaken desert.

” I searched Drake’s face and realized that he was serious.

For the first time it became abundantly clear just what being a SEAL meant.

I launched myself into his arms.

“Hey, Shortstuff, he’s going to be fine.”

“No, that’s not it,” I said wetly.

Drake patted my back. “What’s going on, Chloe?”

“She’s just realizing how dangerous your job is,” Evie answered.

“Why do I love men who could be killed?” I couldn’t stop the flood of tears.

Drake didn’t answer, he just rocked me in his strong arms as I cried.

* * *

Zarek

I woke up and my head was killing me. The light burned bright into my brain. I groaned.

“Zarek?” It was Chloe’s soft and sweet voice.

“Light hurts,” I whispered.

“Keep your eyes closed for a minute longer. I’ll turn off all the lights.”

I felt her fingers brush my cheek, then she brushed a kiss against my lips. So soft, so good. She was gone too quick. I opened my eyes, and in the dim light I saw liquid brown eyes staring down at me.

“I love you, Zarek.”

The words swept through me, filling me with more joy than my body could possibly contain. It was as if I’d lived life in black and white, and now I could see in color. I laughed.

“I hope that’s a happy laugh,” she whispered close to my lips.

“The happiest laugh imaginable.” I winced. It was a happy laugh, but it hurt to laugh. She must have realized it, because she gently whispered a kiss against my forehead.

“Rest.”

“No,” I said tiredly. “I want to sav…savor,” My words were slurred. I yawned.

“You sleep. We’ll talk after you wake up again. The doctors said you wouldn’t wake up for another couple of hours anyway.”

“Wanna stay up,” I said belligerently. My eyes drifted shut.

* * *

Zarek

My eyes snapped open. The room was dark. Where was Chloe? She’d said she loved me. She hadn’t left, had she?

Then I felt her soft hand on top of mine. I turned my hand so I could grip hers. I turned my head carefully because it still hurt like a son of a bitch. I saw Chloe’s head resting on the bed. She was asleep.

She loved me. I stared at her beautiful face, relaxed in sleep. She was so beautiful. I wanted to remember this moment forever. This was the day that Chloe Rose made every one of my dreams come true. I’d take this feeling with me to the grave.

“Chloe?”

Her eyes drifted open.

“You’re awake.” She smiled.

“I’m going to stay awake, too.”

“I love you so much, Zarek,” she said. Her eyes searched mine.

I reached up and curled my hand around her neck, guiding her down to me. I molded our mouths together. Kiss number three. So much feeling went with the velvet softness of Chloe’s lips. This was a forever kiss. It went on and on and on.

She stroked the side of my cheek and pulled away.

“Hey, I didn’t say you could stop.”

“You’re going to have visitors soon.” She looked away from me.

“They can wait. I need another kiss.”

She stood up and turned towards the door. I lunged and grabbed her hand.

“What?” She asked as she turned back towards me.

“Come back here. I wasn’t done with you.”

She gave me an over-bright smile. I recognized it. It was the Avery girl fake smile. I tugged her closer, forcing her to sit beside me on the bed. Then I tangled our fingers together so that our palms were pressed together.

“You’re my life,” I said solemnly.

She looked at me in confusion.

“Saying I love you just doesn’t cut it. Do you hear me, Chloe Rose? I love you.” I saw her bottom lip tremble.

“You do?”

How could she ever doubt me?

“If you ever left me, half of my soul would be ripped away. You’re my life. I’ve loved you since you were a gutsy little girl, I’ve loved you when you were a gangly teenager, and I’ve always loved my best friend. You’re my soulmate. Never leave me.”

Her mouth opened, then closed. Her eyes glossed with tears.

“Zarek, you have too much faith in me. You’ve seen how much of a mess I can be. How broken I can get.” She tried to pull away from me.

“I’ve seen a woman who has gone through hell and worked hard to get her life back. You fucking amaze me. You’re stronger than anyone I’ve ever met.”

“But―”

“Seriously, Cupcake, if you keep coming up with excuses, I’m going to think you don’t want a future with me. Is that what this is about?” I held my breath.

I watched as her smile turned radiant. “A future?”

“A future. I want to build a life with you, Chloe.”

I could see the wheels turning in her head. Protests forming, then rejected. Then final blessed acceptance. Thank the Lord.

“I’m going to want kids,” she warned.

My smile got big. “I like kids.”

“We might end up with twins.”

“Is this a yes?”

“I haven’t heard a question.” Her shining eyes sparkled down at me.

I cleared my throat. “Will you marry me?”

“God yes. Nothing would make me happier.”