Unbroken -Part Two - A Second Chance at Love Romance: The Collective - Season 1, Episode 6

by Riley Edwards

  And I was. So fucking close I was going to blow and leave her behind.

  “Almost,” she panted.

  “Tell me, Ava, you wanna feel my cock?”

  “Yes.”

  “Say it,” I demanded.

  “I wanna feel your cock.”

  “You wanna feel it here, in your slick warm pussy?” I gave her more pressure, my cock starting to breach her opening.

  “I’m there, Logan.”

  I gave myself a few more strokes before I pulled away from her pussy. I tensed as heat rushed through my body, and I let go on her hip and belly.

  She looked startled as my come marked her flawless skin. After long moments, my shoulders and neck began to loosen, and I searched Ava’s face for any signs of unease. None was present, just pure happiness.

  “That is a mess.” Her giggle started soft and sweet, but quickly turned into a full belly laugh.

  Beautiful.

  “Yeah, sweetheart, you certainly made a mess.”

  “Me?” She batted her eyelashes. Trying but failing to look innocent.

  “You know exactly what you did. Don’t play miss innocent with me.”

  As much as I didn’t want to rush this, the day was slipping away, and unfortunately, we had things we had to take care of. I was glad that in the middle of this shit storm she could still laugh.

  “Let’s get cleaned up.”

  I didn’t wait for her reply when I picked her up off the bed, her legs still wrapped around me, and walked us back into the shower.

  Not much was said when I washed her. She understood why we needed to hurry and clean up. I didn’t push her, she needed time in her own head to work out what today would bring. I’d allow it, as long as she didn’t start pushing me away, or spewing whacked shit about things being her fault.

  None of this was on Ava. She didn’t ask to be pulled into James Kelley’s bullshit, or be stalked by Carl Allen. I didn’t want to bring up that we were still not outta the woods, and I had to check in with Zane Lewis in a few hours to see what he’d found out about the boys Jimmy was running with in El Paso. If there was going to be any sort of blowback or retribution for Jimmy, I was taking Ava and JJ and we were leaving town. I wasn’t taking any more chances.

  The ride to the hospital was quiet. Ava was pulling into herself, shrinking back into her seat the closer we got.

  “Stop,” I demanded when we pulled into the hospital parking.

  “I’m not doing anything, Reid.”

  “Yeah, sweetheart, you are. You’re twisting all sorts of shit up in that pretty little head of yours. I’m afraid to even ask what kind of fucked up shit you're making up in there.”

  Ava’s body went solid in the seat next to mine. I threw the Camaro in park and pocketed the key fob. Before she could start speaking, and by doing so piss me off, I got out of the car, rounded the trunk, and opened her door.

  She woodenly walked beside me through the parking structure. By the time we had made it to the elevators, I’d had enough.

  “Say it,” I urged her.

  “Say what? Anything I say, you’ll tell me it’s jacked or fucked up.”

  “Because it is. But I need to know what parts you’re twisting, so I know what to untwist.”

  “You know it’s kinda mean to tell me how I feel is jacked.”

  “No, it’s not. It’s real. I’m not gonna blow unicorns up your ass, just so you don’t think I’m mean. I’m really not gonna stand here and let you blame yourself for shit that is not on you. I gave you time, I didn’t push. I let you go in that head of yours hoping that you’d work it out yourself. You didn’t. I see that was the wrong thing to do.”

  “You let me?” she screeched.

  “Absolutely.”

  “Really. And pray tell how you, let me.”

  “Ava, I can be real persuasive when I want something, and real creative in the ways I get it. If I didn’t want you in your own head, you wouldn’t be there. I thought you could sort yourself out. You can’t, so now, I’ll sort you out.”

  Ava’s face was fire engine red, if I had to guess, I’d say that smoke was seconds away from coming out of her ears. I didn’t want to do this, but I now knew it was necessary.

  Chapter Twelve

  OUR GIRL

  Ava

  “Reid…” I tried to stop him from saying whatever it was he was going to say. I was already pissed, and he was only going to make me angrier.

  “No. There is no nice way to say it, so I’ll just say it.” Reid grabbed my hand and pulled me to him. What came next pissed me the fuck off. “Nothing. I’ll repeat nothing that has happened is on you. Jimmy Kelley was a piece of shit. Always had been. Everybody knew it. Mac knew it, you knew it, and Jacob knew it. Carl Allen was a fucking lunatic that should’ve been locked up a long time ago. He’s taken care of now, and you don’t ever have to worry about him. What he did to Suzie, is fucked. What he did to Rick, and that bleeding over to April, is even more fucked. But, again, none of that is on you. Rick died protecting my family. He made that choice. And Ava, make no mistake, that was a choice. He died for me. He knew what he was doing. April is gonna be devastated, destroyed, and you’re gonna have to help her with that. You’re a good woman, so I know you will. What I need from you now, is for you to get the hell out of your head and deal. There is nothing we can do about changing the past. I knew Jacob. Not well, but I knew him. I know he was good through and through, a good dad, and a great husband. I know he was gentle with you. But I also know, if he was here, he’d be standing here telling you the same thing.”

  I didn’t know what to say to all of that, so I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “Don’t say his name. You don’t get to say his name.”

  “Yeah, sweetheart, I do.”

  “No. You. Don’t. You don’t get to use Jacob’s name.” It was coming, the famous Ava temper was boiling to the surface. Who the fuck did he think he was, using Jacob against me? He didn’t know shit. Jacob would’ve never said any of that to me.

  “I do. And I will. Wanna know why? That night you were taken, the very same night both you and JJ heard Jacob. I heard him too. While he was whispering to you and JJ keeping you safe, he was leading me to you. You know what that tells me? I have his blessing. He called you ‘our girl’ and told me to take you home and keep you safe.”

  My breath caught in my throat, and I felt lightheaded. I needed a moment to catch my breath but Reid wouldn’t allow it, he just kept laying it out for me. Only now he’d grabbed the back of my neck and forced me to look at him. “Your woman’s dead husband tells you to take our girl home and keep her safe. A man like me, Ava, I take that real serious. I know I’m nothing like Jacob. I never was, I never will be. That isn’t bad, just different. He might’ve sugar coated this for you, cushioned the blow more than I did. But the outcome would’ve been the same. Neither one of us are gonna let you tie yourself in knots and blame yourself for some shit you didn’t do.”

  “He talked to you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Wow.”

  I was shocked. I thought I was crazy when I had heard Jacob talking to me, a little less so when JJ told us he had heard Jacob too. Now knowing that he spoke to Reid, I wasn’t sure how to deal with it. Reid tucked me under his chin and let me cry into his chest. This poor man must think I am a babbling idiot as much as I cry on him. My mind was all over the place. I didn’t know what to make of any of it.

  In the recesses of my mind, I knew Reid was right.

  “I’m not ready.”

  “Come again?” Reid’s grip on my neck tightened and I felt his muscles under my cheek jump.

  “Logically I know. I know that what’s happened isn’t my fault. I’m just not ready to stop blaming myself,” I explained.

  “You are now.”

  “It doesn’t work that way. Just because you tell me that, doesn’t mean I’m ready.”

  Reid held me tighter and I realized this was him trying to protect me, even
from myself. Only he didn’t understand that protecting me from outside threats would be easier than protecting me against my guilt. He was right. Jacob would’ve cushioned his words. He was always thoughtful and gentle with me. He was a different sort of man. Not better, not worse, just different like Reid said. But Reid was wrong about something. While Jacob would’ve protected us from any outside force, he would’ve allowed me to live in my head. He would’ve never forced me out of it. He was too kind to tell me what I was thinking was fucked.

  I wasn’t ready to give up my guilt yet, and Reid was going to have to deal. There was nothing he could do to change that.

  “Can we go see Suzie now?” I asked.

  “You done blaming yourself?”

  I thought about lying to end the argument, but when I thought back to what Reid had said about us being a team, I decided on honesty instead. “No. Not yet, but I’m closer.”

  “Good. We’ll get you there.”

  With a kiss to the top of my head, he pushed the button on the elevator. He didn’t let go of my hand. Not in the elevator, not in the lobby, not in the corridor leading to Suzie’s room. And especially not when I clocked Suzie’s husband coming out of her room with grief clear on his face. Reid held on tight, giving me all the strength he could.

  The knot in my stomach was expanding, the impending explosion was near. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. I doubted Michael would want to see me, and I didn’t know if I was ready to face Suzie.

  “Ava, honey, come here,” Michael called out.

  I froze. His tone was full of understanding not venom like I’d expected. Reid gave my hand a squeeze and started to let go. As soon as I lost Reid’s hand, I ran into Michael’s awaiting arms.

  “I’m sorry. I am so sorry. It’s all my fault, Michael,” I sobbed into his neck.

  He was nowhere as tall or broad as Reid. Michael couldn’t tuck me under his chin and cocoon me with his arms. My face rested on his shoulder and my tears rolled down his back.

  “Hush, Ava. Nothing is your fault.”

  “Suzie…” I cried louder.

  Michael continued to hug me and rock me back and forth. I felt Reid come up beside me and Michael passed me over to him. I tucked in and let my tears soak Reid’s shirt. More damn crying. I was so over crying, only I couldn’t stop.

  “How is she today? Any updates?” Reid asked over my head.

  “The doctor performed a procedure last night to relieve the subdural hematoma. They drilled a burr hole into the side of her head for drainage. The swelling is still worrisome, but to be expected. They set her arm, but when she recovers from the hematoma, she’ll need surgery to fix that. She has an orbital rim fracture, but we won’t know if that will require surgery until the swelling goes down,” Michael explained.

  Oh, my God. Oh, My god. Drilled a hole into Suzie’s head. I couldn’t understand how Michael could be so calm, and matter-of-fact when his wife had a hole drilled into her head. Sweet Jesus! I thought I was going to hyperventilate.

  I lifted my head off Reid’s now drenched tee and asked, “What is an orbital rim fracture?”

  “Her eye socket is broken. It’s the lower edge of the eye rim which affects her cheekbone. All in all, she is lucky. Austin found her in time, and the doctor was able to drain the hematoma. Another few hours she might not have made it,” Michael continued.

  I put my head back on Reid’s chest. Thank God Austin was going to get the deposit and found her. Suzie must’ve been so scared.

  “Is it done?” Michael weirdly asked, his tone had taken on a hard edge.

  “It is,” Reid returned, and hugged me close.

  “Can I see her?” I whispered.

  “Of course, you can, Ava,” Michael answered.

  “Sweetheart, I think you should know…” Reid started.

  “I’ll be fine, Reid.” I cut him off and pushed away from his chest.

  I looked at the glass wall behind Michael, the curtains were drawn. I couldn’t see in, which was good. That meant the guys wouldn’t be able to see me while I was in there. I was fairly certain I was going to have a breakdown when I saw my friend. I didn’t need them witnessing me crying again.

  Michael hit a button on the wall, and the glass door slid open. The first thing that hit me was the sound. Now that the door was open I could hear the monitors beeping and whooshing.

  I stepped into the room and put my hand up to stop Reid from following. “I need a moment alone with her.”

  His lips pinched together, and he nodded. The door shut behind me, and I was glued in place. Afraid to take a step towards the bed. I needed a moment to fortify myself against the pain of seeing my dearest friend.

  When I finally made my way to Suzie’s bedside, I was in total shock. A small patch of hair was shaved around her left ear, I assumed that’s where the doctor had drilled into her head. Her right arm was wrapped in a temporary cast, tubes and wires seemed to be everywhere. But what was most shocking was her face. Suzie was unrecognizable. And for a moment I hoped that I was in the wrong room, that this was not my friend. I wouldn’t have known. I couldn’t distinguish a single feature on her swollen and bruised face.

  There was a single chair in the room, next to Suzie’s bedside. Michael had to have pulled it close, sitting there all night long in a bedside vigil for his beloved wife. I sat in Michael’s chair and picked up Suzie’s uninjured hand, careful not to disturb the IV.

  “I am so sorry, Suzie. So fucking sorry. This should be me, not you. I don’t know how you’ll ever forgive me.” I held her hand and lowered my head to the bed, crying again. It was a wonder I still had any tears left. “So sorry, Suzie. I know Michael hates me for what happened to you. Please, Suzie, forgive me. I love you.”

  “Nonsense,” came from the doorway. I lifted my head seeing both Reid and Michael, the word, however, came from Michael. “I do not hate you. Never could hate you, Ava. This is not your fault. Carl Allen beat my wife. A man I fucking worked with, a man I considered a brother in blue. This is not on you.”

  I nearly jumped out of my seat when a monitor came on hissing and beeping.

  “Blood pressure cuff. She’s okay,” Michael explained.

  Neither of them moved, allowing me time with Suzie while they stood guard at the door.

  “Detective Jones. How is she this afternoon?” a doctor asked, walking past Michael and Reid.

  “You tell me, Dr. Sanchez,” Michael replied.

  The doctor looked up from the tablet in his hand and smiled at me. “It looks worse than it is,” he said to me. Then he turned back to Michael. “Her vitals look good. Her latest scans show the Decadron is doing its job reducing the swelling. That is very good news. The next twelve hours are still critical. I explained to you last night the risks of the burr hole procedure, but so far, she is responding well. I am highly optimistic. You have a fighter here, Michael. I will start lowering her dose of propofol.”

  “What is the propofol used for again?” Michael asked.

  “It’s a sedative. Right now she is heavily sedated. With any brain injury it is important that the patient not become agitated. We need her comfortable and not feeling any pain, give her some time to rest and heal.”

  I no longer tried to keep up with the conversation as the doctor went on about cerebral pressure autoregulation and hypertriglyceridemia. My brain couldn’t even begin to comprehend what he was explaining. I zoned out and held on to the words I could understand, highly optimistic, fighter, good news. I needed those words.

  Please God, let Suzie be ok. Please, please, please.

  I stared at my friend, guilt and regret tangled in my belly and heart. Why had I kept her at arm’s length over the years? Why was I so fucked up that I never let anyone fully in? No more. As soon as Suzie was better, I was going to open up, be a better friend.

  “You ready to go, sweetheart?” Reid gave the back of my neck a squeeze.

  Was I ready? No. I wanted to sit here all day and watch over my friend. But I
knew it was time to go. Reid and I had another painful stop to make, and I was sure that Michael wanted to be alone with his wife.

  We said our goodbyes, and before I could walk away, Michael stopped me. “I want you to listen to me, Ava. Suzie is strong. You heard the doctor, she’s a fighter. We have to hold on to that. She will fight, but we have to give her the strength. When she wakes up, she’ll need you strong. I need you strong. Get it out of your head now that any of this is your fault. I don’t blame you, and I know Suzie would never blame you. You are her best friend. She loves you.”

  “Thank you for that, Michael. I’m trying.”

  “Good. We’ll see you tomorrow.” Michael smiled at me and exchanged some look with Reid that I couldn’t make out.

  Thankfully Reid gave me some space as we exited the hospital, but just as he did when we entered, he held my hand. His silent comfort was all I needed.

  He remained quiet on the way to April’s. When we pulled into an older neighborhood full of nice houses. Bicycles and toys left on front porches suggested it was a block full of children and young families. Reid’s features turned from thoughtful to hard.

  Now it was my turn to offer him support. I just prayed I was strong enough to hold us both together. No. Fuck that, I was strong enough. I would be strong enough because Reid deserved it. He wrapped me up tight behind the shield he created and made me feel safe. I would damn well do the same for him. Even if it broke me later, now was the time he needed me.

  Reid parked the car and stared at the house for a moment. I noticed his Range Rover was still parked in front of the house. That had to mean that Austin was still there. Good. April would need a friend. Someone strong that she could lean on.

  “She’ll be ok,” I broke the silence.

  Reid just nodded his head, his eyes never leaving the house.

  “It’ll take time, but she’ll get through it.”

  Still nothing from Reid. No words, no movement, nothing.

  “We should go in,” I told him.

  “How do you know?” he asked.

  “Know what?”