“Oh, my baby,” Mrs. McKnight wailed, moving over to the bed and cradling Natalie’s face in her hands. She did a double take when she looked at Savage. “Cameron?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said and stood, extending his hand to her. She moved around the bed and hugged him tight.
“It’s so great to see you. I appreciate you for getting her out of there and having us contacted,” she said, giving him a tearful smile. Her father stepped up and gave his hand a firm shake.
“We can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done,” he said with an approving nod.
“No problem, sir,” Savage said, eying the man still standing next to the door slightly scowling at him.
Mrs. McKnight gestured toward the man. “This is Natalie’s boyfriend, Ted,” he said.
Of course it would be Ted. “Ah, nice to meet you,” Savage said with a smirk, extending his hand. “I’m Cam.”
Realization dawn on his face, his mouth turning into a hard line as he put his hands in his pockets instead of shaking Savage’s.
“I see,” Ted stated through clenched teeth. Natalie’s parents sat on the sides of Natalie’s bed and talked to her while Savage and Ted stood near the door to give them space. Ted would randomly glance at Savage, the muscle in his jaw ticking with annoyance before he’d look away. Savage chuckled to himself. Ted definitely wasn’t much to look at. Natalie was probably a few inches taller than him without heels. His lack of facial hair and shaggy hair made him look a teenager on steroids. His face was hard, but Savage wasn’t sure if it was just because he was annoyed about him being there or if he really looked like that.
Savage’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen to see a text from Joker.
Ethan: Any changes?
He looked over at her on the bed, still a bit pale, but not awake. With a sigh, he turned back to his phone.
Cameron: Nope. Her parents are here.
Ethan: Take a break. We’re downstairs at the food court.
Cameron: On my way.
Although he didn’t want to leave her, it was best to leave for now. He was pretty sure he’d choke Ted if he continued to glare at him. He moved over to Natalie and placed a kiss on her forehead.
“I’m going to give you guys some privacy. It was great seeing you,” he said to her parents. They smiled and nodded at him and turned their attention back to their sleeping daughter. Savage walked out of the room, Ted on his heels.
“She’s mine, you know,” he called behind him.
Savage paused with a chuckle and turned around to face him. “Is that right?”
“Yeah, that’s right, you bastard. Stay away from her,” he growled, taking a step closer.
Savage scratched his chin, his eyes drifting to the ceiling for a brief moment before he met Ted’s gaze again. “If I remember correctly, you broke up with her in a text message,” he said.
“What I did is none of your damn business,” he spat. “Just know that I’ve come back for her.” He pulled out a small velvet black box and opened it, flashing a shiny diamond ring. “The moment she opens her eyes, I’m going to ask her to be my wife.”
Savage’s jaw twitched as he clenched his teeth together. Ted smirked at him as he snapped the box shut and put it back in his pocket. “You’re not needed here anymore. Her man is here to take care of her,” he said.
Savage grinned. “You’re right, her man is here. And her man will return after I grab something to eat,” he said with a wink and turned to walk away, leaving Ted fuming in the hallway.
Even though he’d tried to appear confident in front of Ted, he now felt nervous. Would Natalie say yes if Ted proposed to her? What about her last words to him? She’d told him she loved him; that had to mean something, right?
He sighed and pressed the down button on the elevator. Whatever the case was, he prayed she chose him.
***
“Say what now?” Joker asked, pausing mid chew.
“He’s going to propose to her,” Savage repeated.
Joker bit into his pizza with a shake of his head. “I thought she was single.”
“She said he broke up with her in a text message. I don’t know if they ended up making up.” He ran a hand over his head. “But she wouldn’t have called me and told me she loved me if she didn’t, would she?”
Bullseye shrugged. “People are emotional when they think they’re about to die. You won’t know for sure until she wakes up. Then you can ask her yourself,” he said.
Savage sighed and leaned back in his chair. Bullseye was right. Even though she’d called him, she would’ve been back home had the attack not happened. What difference did it make if she wouldn’t be here with him? She’d already made it clear that she had no plans of uprooting her life anytime soon. His mind told him that it made more sense to just let her go, but his heart wouldn’t allow him to. He let her walk away twice and almost lost her for good.
There was no way he was letting her go this time.
Chapter Seventeen
Soft beeps from a machine slowly brought her out of sleep. Every muscle in her body screamed and there was a constant throbbing pain in her right shoulder. She groaned in pain and squinted, blinded by the fluorescent lights overhead. She shot up in bed, crying out in agony as pain overwhelmed her.
“Sweetie, it’s okay! You’re safe,” she heard someone say. Everything around her still appeared fuzzy, but the voice registered as her mother’s.
“Mom?” she croaked, her throat sore.
“Yes, your father and I are here, honey,” she said, taking her hand. Her vision soon cleared and her parents’ faces came into view. She wasn’t in the closet anymore. Her hospital room was bright and felt cold, white, and sterile. Machines surrounded her and many wires and leads were connected to her chest and finger. Her right arm was in a sling and she could feel something compressing her head. Her gaze traveled around the room, stopping when she saw Ted.
“What are you doing here?” she managed to get out. Ted walked over to her bedside and took her hand, kissing it gently.
“I wanted to be by your side as soon as I heard what happened,” he said. “I didn’t know what I would’ve done had something happened to you.”
If her head wasn’t pounding, she would’ve rolled her eyes. It was funny how it took near death experiences for someone to appreciate the person they were with. She almost wondered if her parents put him up to it or if he came on his own free will. His behavior now was the complete opposite of what it had been when she left to come to San Diego and she wasn’t sure she was quite ready to forgive him.
She looked around her room. “Where is Cameron?” she asked her parents.
“Don’t worry about him, babe. If he cared, he’d be here,” Ted said, caressing her cheek. Natalie pulled away from him.
“I’d rather not be touched right now,” she said, removing her hand from his.
The muscle in Ted’s jaw ticked as he pursed his lips together and took a deep breath. “I wanted to surprise you when you got home, but after what happened, I realized that tomorrow isn’t promised.” He dug around in his pocket and pulled out a black box, opening it to reveal a beautiful diamond ring.
“Oh my goodness!” her mother gasped at the foot of the bed. Natalie stared at him with wide eyes.
“Natalie Lilian McKnight, will you—”
“Now Ted, she’s just woken up. I think it’s way too soon to make such big decisions right now,” her father interrupted. “There’ll be plenty of time for that. For now, she just needs to rest and focus on getting better so she can come home.”
Natalie breathed a sigh of relief. She could always count on her dad to make things right. After their last breakup, she wouldn’t marry Ted if he were the last guy on the planet. After her weekend with Cam, she realized all that she was missing. She missed someone actually loving her, appreciating her, and making sure she was happy. She’d been so used to giving so much and receiving so little in return
, but Cameron gave that back to her. She could feel the love he had for her when he smiled or looked at her, when he touched and kissed her, and when he made love to her.
With Ted, everything felt cool. He wasn’t affectionate unless he was trying to get her in the mood for sex. Otherwise, he was “too busy” or “too tired” to do anything with her outside of sex.
But he’s safe. Indeed he was, but that didn’t make him better. If being with someone safe would cause her to sacrifice her happiness, would it really be worth it in the end?
Ted forced a smile and nodded, turning his attention back to Natalie. “He’s right. I’m sorry, Nat; that was selfish of me. I guess I was so excited to make you mine that I got a bit ahead of myself. But here.” He slid the ring onto her finger anyway. “Just hold it for now and get a feel of it. But at least you’ll know I’m here for you every step of the way when you see it.”
She looked down at the beautiful diamond ring. The only thing it symbolized was lies, broken promises and fake happiness. They weren’t even together, at least as far as she knew. Even though he’d called her nonstop after that night with Cam, she never responded or told him she’d take him back. She was tired of the back and forth with him and marriage wouldn’t change anything. If he wanted to cheat, he still would, whether or not they were married.
“Where’s Cam?” she asked again, looking to her parents.
They shared a look and turned back to her. “He was here yesterday, but he hasn’t been by today yet,” they said.
“Oh,” she murmured, leaning back onto her pillows.
“Well, how are you feeling, honey?” her mother asked, sitting on the side of the bed and taking her hand.
“Really sore. I don’t even remember making it out,” she said in a whisper.
“You were in pretty bad shape when you were brought here,” her dad said. “We were told they even had to tube you for a few days.”
“Days? How long have I been here?”
“Today makes a week, actually.”
Natalie sat up and looked around again. “I need my phone. I need to call work and—”
“Everyone back home knows what’s going on. They just want you to focus on getting better right now,” her mother said, gently laying her back against the pillows.
“What happened exactly?” Ted asked.
Natalie swallowed and turned her eyes to her hands. Even though she’d been out for days, she’d been trapped in the same nightmare over and over again. She could hear their screams and smell their blood. She could still see the evil that once looked her in the face as it pointed its gun at her. She could still smell the ammonia and paint from the closet and remembered the little girl’s terrified face. She wondered where the child was now that her mother was gone. She wondered if everyone else had been as lucky as her and made it out alive or if they faced the same fate as a few unfortunate others.
“How about we just give her a little bit of space? I’m sure all of this has been a lot to deal with,” her father said, giving Ted a stern look.
Her mother pressed a soft kiss to her brow and gave her a sad smile. “Get some rest, sweetie. We’ll be back later,” she said. Her father kissed her cheek and ushered her mother and Ted out the door. So much for wanting to be with her; he didn’t even bother to say goodbye.
She leaned back against her pillows with a sigh and looked up at the ceiling. Where are you, Cam? I need you.
Chapter Eighteen
Savage was surprised when he returned to Natalie’s hospital room to see her laying on her side. She was sleeping, but that wasn’t the position she was in when he’d left her the day before. He placed the bouquet of tulips on the small table next to her bed and pulled up a chair. Reaching for her hand, he paused when he saw the ring on her finger. She’d been awake and she’d said yes. He ground his teeth and leaned back in the seat, gazing at her. Logically he knew he couldn’t be upset. Whether he wanted her to or not, she was going to go back to her life once she was better and there was nothing he could do about it.
Natalie groaned as she stretched, her eyes fluttering a few times before they settled on him. A soft smile touched her lips. “Cam,” she whispered.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Much better now,” she said. “I can’t thank you for what you and your guys did for me.”
“No problem. I told you I’d always be there for you,” he said.
Silence cloaked them until Natalie cleared her throat. “You just missed my parents,” she said.
“They were coming off the elevator as I was going on,” he said, meeting her gaze. “Saw your fiancé too. I don’t think he likes me too much.” He chuckled.
Natalie looked down at the ring and bit the inside of her cheek. She didn’t deny that he was her fiancé, which shouldn’t have been surprising considering she was wearing the ring.
“So has the doctor given you any updates yet?” he asked, trying to change the subject.
“Oh, um, they’re just going to see how I do the next couple of days and then I should be okay to go home,” she said. Savage nodded and turned his attention to his clasped hands. He wasn’t sure what to say to her. It seemed pointless to remind her of what she’d said to him when she called him.
“Well, I’m glad you’re okay,” he finally said.
“Yeah. Do you know if everyone else made it out? The little girl?” she asked.
“I’m not really sure. We weren’t supposed to be there, so we only grabbed you and left. I’m sure they got out though,” he answered.
She sighed. “I sure hope so,” she murmured. She was quiet for a moment before she looked at him with tears in her eyes. “How do you deal with the memories of death?”
Savage took her hand in his and caressed the back of it with his thumb. “All you can do is take it a day at a time,” he answered. “Some days will be harder than others.”
“But I still have nightmares about it,” she said, a single tear rolling down her cheek. “I can still hear their screams and the gunshots. I still smell their blood. I feel that same fear I did in that bathroom stall every waking minute, thinking they’re going to come back and finish me off. I’m so scared, Cam.”
“You’re safe. No one is coming after you, babe. It’s over and you’re safe,” he whispered. He stood and slowly brought his face to hers, gauging her reaction as he moved closers. When she didn’t move away, he connected their lips. She sighed against his mouth, her hand reaching up to touched his cheek.
He pulled away, caressing her cheek with his thumb. “I almost thought I lost you forever,” he said softly. “You were unconscious when we found you.”
“I don’t even remember what happened. I just remember I was in a closet one minute and the next, I was here. You came for me like you said you would.”
“Yeah, because I’ll do anything for the woman I love,” he said and smiled. She blushed and turned her eyes away from his, a smile settling on her lips.
Her room door opened, revealing her parents with multiple plastic bags, but without Ted. “Oh good, you’re awake,” her mother said, placing the bags on the window sill and walking over to the small table. “What beautiful flowers.”
Natalie looked over at them and smiled. “Thank you, Cam. I didn’t even notice them. It still kind of hurts to turn my head,” she said.
“No, it’s okay. You’re welcome though,” he said and stood.
“You’re leaving? You just got here,” Natalie said with a frown.
Savage ran a hand through his hair and shrugged. “Yeah, I have a few errands to run before a few places close. Just call me if you need me,” he said. Her sad eyes shouldn’t have filled him with guilt, but they did. A part of him wanted to get in bed with her and hold her in his arms, easing her fears and reassuring her that everything was fine. But he couldn’t do that because she wasn’t his woman to do that to. He glanced at her parents as they pulled snacks from a bag and offered them to her. Did they approve of her engageme
nt to that douchebag?
He sighed and slipped out of her room while her parents kept her occupied. He wouldn’t give her up that easily. Choosing not to be selfish could’ve made him lose her forever. It was a coincidence to see her again after ten years, but it was fate to be able to save her life and have her in his life again. He wouldn’t let this opportunity pass him by. It was time to plan.
It was all or nothing, a last ditch effort that could either change his life or shatter it. He was taking back what was his.
Chapter Nineteen
After five more days of observation, she was finally discharged and in the care of Ted and her parents. She paced back and forth in their hotel room, her mind racing with a million and one thoughts. They were all getting on a plane tomorrow to head back to Philadelphia, but an overwhelming fear choked her. The attack was still fresh in her mind and the last place she wanted to go was where she nearly lost her life. Her parents offered to come stay with her for a few weeks until she was adjusted at home, but she was sure they just wanted to be able to comfort her through her plane ride.
Cameron had come by to see her at the hospital, but his visits were always short. He always came off as a bit distant and she was sure it had a lot to do with the ring she wore and Ted. None of this felt right. She was miserable, paranoid, and alone despite being surrounded by her family. None of them understood what she was going through, which frustrated her. None of them saw those people gunned down in front of them. They didn’t hear a little girl crying for her dead mother. She longed to have Cameron near her to talk about everything she felt, but he wasn’t there.
Ted came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she answered, her voice flat.
“Natalie, honey, let’s go for a walk, yeah?” her mother said, slipping her dainty feet into her sandals.
Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Surviving Savage (Kindle Worlds Novella) (SEALed Brotherhood Book 1) Page 7