Page 58 of Shattered King

Mom accepted it.

We visited the day before as well. We still didn’t have any leads on Pierce, but Hunter was sure he was still in the city. I’d been racking my brain for where he could be. Pierce had taken me to a lot of places, but over the years they’d become one big blur. A nightmare I’d worked hard to forget. Several stuck out, though, but some I’d have to see to recognize.

It was frustrating. I wanted to help. I wanted Pierce locked up. I wanted Josh safe.

But this afternoon, I didn’t want to think about any of that, because for the first time since I’d seen her, my mother had color in her cheeks. Her eyes, that had been a dull gray instead of her usual bright blue, were sparkling like sapphires. And even though I knew the prognosis, I couldn’t stop the hope stirring inside me. Hope was stupid and a waste of energy. Miracles didn’t happen, despite what people said. But if the light shining from her today meant that I got a few more with her, I’d take them, and I’d treasure every second.

We’d been at the hospital for several hours. Though she looked bright and happy, I could see the fatigue creeping in. Josh had been chatting animatedly most of the time we’d been here, but I could see my son was getting tired as well. He’d been rubbing his eyes for the last hour. I was reluctant to leave. But he’d had enough and was ready for dinner and bed. And if I didn’t get him home soon, a meltdown of epic proportions wouldn’t be far away.

I stood, leaned in, and kissed my mother’s soft cheek. She turned to me. “Are you going?

“Yeah, Mom. We better let you get some rest.”

Her hand came to my wrist, and she held on, making my heart squeeze painfully. “Are you coming back tomorrow?”

“Bright and early.” I kissed her again then lifted Josh into my arms.

“I’d love that.”

I helped her settle back, making sure her pillows were where she wanted them, lifted her water to her mouth so she could take a sip through the straw, then tucked the blankets around her. Her eyes grew heavy instantly. “Sleep well, Mom.”

She smiled again and we left, closing the door behind us.

Hunter wrapped his fingers around the back of my neck and pulled me into his side as we walked down the hall. He didn’t say anything, didn’t have to. He was there for me, for Josh, and he managed to show us every day that we meant something to him. He was making it extremely hard to think about leaving. I was starting to rely on him, not only for protection, but support, comfort.

I hitched Josh higher on my hip. He was getting heavy and restless, and started wriggling, wanting to get down. Hunter reached for him without missing a beat. My son went to him without complaint, resting his head on that beautifully inked, broad shoulder.

Hunter draped his arm around mine and pulled me back into his side. I wrapped my arm around his waist, gripping his T-shirt.

Like we were a real couple again, like we were a family.

Our hips brushed as we walked, and I shivered. I couldn’t help it. I was starved for him, for every scrap of affection, every touch. It didn’t matter how much he gave me. I couldn’t get enough of him. When he touched me, it felt like I came out of myself, and I could think of nothing but him. I needed that, so much.

We hadn’t had sex, not since the time in the bathroom at the agency. I knew he was trying to ease me back into this relationship, was worried about my state of mind after opening up about the abuse and rape, after what Pierce had tried to do again. But I didn’t want that, I didn’t want time to process, or come to terms, or find some other way to move forward. I wanted to keep it locked away, deep, deep down inside, and forget all about it. I didn’t want to unpack that crap and throw it all over the place. I didn’t want to deal with the mess that was my life.

Why would I want to do that? I couldn’t see the point.

Besides, our time together had an end date. I didn’t want to waste what little we did have left. I wanted to make the most of every damn minute.

He kept his arm around me the whole way, only letting me go when we got to his car so he could unlock it.

I reached for Josh to put him in his booster seat, but Hunter ignored my outstretched arms, opened the backseat, and put him in. I headed to the passenger side and opened up. I was about to get in when my phone rang.

I checked the screen. Ruby.

I frowned and answered as Hunter moved around behind me.

“I’m bringing pizza and a movie over for girl’s night tonight,” she said. “Any preference on the flick? Action or romance?”

“Um . . .”

“I’ll get wine too.”

“O-kay . . .”

“So the movie?”

“Romance?”