Page 100 of Parker

“It’s all taken care of.” He reaches forward and squeezes my hand. “You focus on getting better, getting home. Leave thebusiness to me. And next time, Joel, don’t step in front of a bullet.” He winks, then rises from his chair.

“Imelda, Sophie, let’s leave these two to catch up.” He walks over to my mother and slides an arm around her waist. “My treat?a coffee and a muffin. The cafeteria doesn’t look so bad.”

The three of them leave with my son, closing the door quietly behind them. My eyes return to the woman beside me. Trails of tears mark her skin.

“You look like shit,” I say, and she giggles.

“You don’t look so hot yourself,” she retorts with a smirk.

I pat the bed for her to sit beside me. For once, she does as she’s told, and I shuffle over to give her some room. We stare at each other for an eternity.

“I thought I’d lost you,” she murmurs, then places a soft kiss on my lips. “I’m so sorry.”

I shake my head.

It doesn’t matter now.

We’re both here.

“Have you read this?” I ask, holding up the little pink book. She nods. “Do I want to read it? Or can you just give me the short version?”

“She was in love with you,” she says, her voice soft. “And between her failed marriage, our relationship, my success at work, then your rejection of her, she snapped.” She twists her fingers together. “I know what that feels like, Joel. I’ve been there. My father died because of it.”

My eyes search her face for guidance.

“There was never anything between Ebony and me,” I tell her.

“I know,” she whispers. “But I know what it feels like to be in love with you. And not being able to have you would turn me insane too. When you talk to her, try not to be too harsh. She’s broken.”

My eyebrows furrow. My sympathy isn’t so easily available, but the last thing I want is to argue with the woman in front of me. I’ll deal with Ebony when I see her, perhaps after she’s had a stay in a mental health ward.

“I’ll think about it.”

She whimpers, and I focus on her. She takes a deep breath to control her emotions.

“It was touch and go. You almost didn’t make it.”

“But I did,” I reassure her. “I’m here.”

She kisses me as if to make sure.

“I love you, Joel Parker.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” I whisper. “Because you’re stuck with me. Especially now I’m going to milk being an invalid for a while. Think of all the chicken soup and get-well sex I’ll be due in my recovery.”

She chuckles.

“Nicky,” I say, sincerely. “After all of this. All the shit and horror you’ve experienced because of me. I can’t believe you’re still here. How did I ever deserve a woman like you?”

“An ex-convict?” she says, and punches my arm playfully. “Yeah, you aimed high with me.”

“I reached for the stars and got the universe.”

She goes quiet, and we just look at each other. Really look.

“Whether we were together or apart, baby. It’s always been you. You have my heart, always.” Our hands are entwined, neither of us wanting to let the other go.

“I just want to get you home,” she says. “Safe in our bed with me.”