“I’ve been an ass. To you and your team. Especially with the guys from Bravo. For a while there, I got so focused on the bigger picture, I lost sight of the real reason we do what we do.”
“It happens, man.” Jake took it all in stride. “But I’ll be sure to pass it along to both my teams.”
“I’d appreciate it if you would.”
“See?” Jake slapped him on the back. “That woman’s already changing you for the better.”
Yes, she most certainly was.
After saying their farewells to Jake and Liv, he and Sophie started the hour-long trip back to the city. Sophie was quiet at first, her head leaning back on her seat as she watched the scenery speed past.
She was hurting, and it tore him up inside that he couldn’t take her pain away. No, she hadn’t known Colton all that long, but for someone like Sophie, that wouldn’t matter.
She had a big heart. He’d witnessed this time and time again at the hospital. With her patients. Her staff.
Everyone she came into contact with was better off because of it. Especially him.
Jason reached over and took her hand in his. “Tell me what you need, and I’ll find a way to get it for you.”
Bringing her eyes to his, she started to tear up again. “This.” She held up their joined hands. “This is all I need.”
“Then it’s yours.” He lifted her hand to his lips. “For as long as you need.”
Sophie looked back at him and smiled. “Thank you.”
With her free hand, she swiped at a tear that had escaped before returning her focus back to the blurred landscape outside.
His chest ached with the need to comfort her. Which was exactly what he planned to do the minute they got home.
Comfort her. Love her. Bring her so much pleasure, she’ll at least have a moment’s respite from the sadness dimming her normally bright spirit.
Jason thought of all the ways he could accomplish that. The things he could do to her body to make her forget the evils lurking in the world.
He was still mentally planning a night filled with pleasure when a set of bright lights appeared out of nowhere.
Sophie screamed his name just as something slammed into the driver’s side of his car. Jason fought to stay in control, but it was already too late.
His tires hit the shoulder’s loose gravel before going over the steep embankment. They began to tumble, their world tipping up and over, again and again.
Jason yelled for Sophie. Or at least, he thought he did.
But by the time the car finally came to a stop in the field below, his entire world had gone completely black.
He wasn’t yelling for anyone, anymore.