Being trampled hurt like the dickens, but Abigail felt a kind of gratefulness for it had gotten her here—in Mateo’s arms. When he held her, she felt peace, as if everything in her world would be okay.
He had always been that anchor for her. Since the moment she met him, Mateo Hernandez calmed her storms and gave her hope. She hadn’t even known she’d needed him until he cropped up in her life and refused to leave.
“I’m okay,” she said as he tried to maneuver opening the car door while having her in his arms. Abigail didn’t want to be put down, but it would be easier for Mateo if he had his hands free.
“I’ve got this,” he said with the dogged determination that had gotten him through her tutoring. At last he pried the door handle open with the tips of his fingers and deposited her gently into the car. Abigail waited for him to round the hood and only when he entered did she let out the breath she’d been holding.
The moment she and Mateo had separated tonight scared her more than she’d like to admit. When the gunman had burst through the doors wielding his weapon, she’d been doubly frightened. Mateo had grown up in these neighborhoods, but that didn’t make him bulletproof. Abigail wouldn’t rest easy until he was far from harm’s way.
“Are you okay?” Mateo asked, glancing at her as he drove. “Is there anywhere else that’s hurting?”
“No.”
“Are you telling me the truth, Abby?”
“I’m fine,” she said, shifting uneasily. “I only got kicked a few times.” Mateo hit the steering wheel and she flinched. “It’s okay. I knew what to do.”
“You shouldn’t have been there. I shouldn’t have brought you tonight. I’m so sorry.”
Abigail studied him. He was angry, but not at her. In fact, he was angry at himself because his actions had gotten her hurt. If tonight had happened with Paul, Abigail had no doubts that her fiancé would have blamed her.
“What?” Mateo said when he noticed her expression.
“Nothing.”
He blew out a breath. “Jamal’s an old friend. He asked me to stitch up a kid that got hurt during a turf war two days ago. I kept him from dying, but his wound got infected and Jamal called me in again…”
“Mateo,” she said, “it’s alright. You don’t have to explain.”
“I do. It’s my fault that you’re hurt. The least I can do is tell you why.”
“Hey… I trust you.”
He glanced at her, clearly moved by her words. “You really shouldn’t.”
“It’s been ten years but you still take responsibility for the people around you.” She smiled. “It’s nice.”
“It’s pathetic.”
“It’s what makes you who you are,” she said, turning toward him. “And if there’s one thing Mateo Hernandez is not, it’s pathetic.”
He tapped his finger on the steering wheel, but she saw a smile playing on his lips. Good. She had always thought Mateo looked more handsome with a grin rather than a scowl.
“Turn right,” she directed and he slowed to a stop in front of the house. “Thanks for the ride,” Abigail said, beginning to unclasp her seatbelt.
“Wait here.” Mateo hopped out and ran to her side of the car.
“It’s okay,” she said, straining to hold on to a scrap of decency. If Mateo enveloped her in his arms again, she would throw propriety to the wind and cuddle against him. Not the best etiquette for a nearly-married woman.
“Alright,” Mateo stepped back so that she could come out on her own, “just hold on to me if you need help.”
Abigail managed to limp up to the front door of the large house. It was exactly Paul’s style. Flashy. Loud. Flamboyant. Should she invite Mateo in? Mateo answered the unspoken question by barging into the house and turning on the light.
“Sit.”
She stared at him. “Excuse me?”
“Do you need me to carry you again?”
Abigail shook her head and limped to the sofa. Mateo strode slowly over. His laser focus caused goosebumps to break out all over her skin. She wanted to squirm away, but held firm, pretending that he had no effect on her.
“I need you to tell me where it hurts,” Mateo rumbled.
She nodded and waited for him to do his doctoring. The moment he put his hands on her, however, she knew that this was dangerous. He was only touching her leg and doing so in the most respectful fashion, but his skin on hers felt like flames.
The way he took her ankle, so confidently and unapologetically, shook her to the core. She was an engaged woman on the cusps of her wedding, but Abigail didn’t want to leave this man’s side.
“Does it hurt?” Mateo asked, looking up at her with an unreadable expression. Abigail fanned her face. She had to pull it together.
Mateo was only trying to do his job as a physician. His concern meant nothing.
“A little bit,” she said.
“I don’t think it’s broken, but it is swelling. Do you have ice?”
“No. I just came in yesterday so—”
“And you’re staying here by yourself?”
“For the time being,” she said. Mateo stiffened and she knew the subtle reference to Paul had not been lost on him. Feeling ashamed, Abigail changed the subject. “It’s fine. I can handle it. It doesn’t hurt too much now. I have some pain pills somewhere in my purse so I’ll take those and go to bed.”
“Will you be alone tomorrow?”
“What?”
“Answer the question, Abby.”
“Probably…”
“Okay then,” he said and surprised her by swooping her into his arms.
“Mateo, what are you doing?”
“You can’t stay here by yourself.”
“I told you I’m okay,” she said, already feeling herself leaning into his strength.
“Then you want me to stay here?”
She froze, wondering if that was truly an option. Mateo mistook her stillness for something else and snorted.
“Right. Then the only other option we have is Mom’s. I’ll take you back there.”
“No, I don’t want to be a bother.”
“We’re wasting time, Abby. The more you argue with me, the later it will be when we get there.”
“Fine,” she gave in grudgingly, “but you let them know this was your idea.”
“I’ll be sure to stress that. Where’s your bedroom?” “What?” she gasped.
He smirked. “Get your mind out of the gutter, honey. I’m asking so we can get some things to take over there. You’ll need your nightgown and toothbrush at least.”
“Those are all in my suitcase and carry-on upstairs. I didn’t unpack anything yet. You can just take them both.”
“Are you sure?” “Yes.”
He set her down again so that he could store the bags in the car and then came back for her.
“I can walk,” she said, but her statement was lost as he swung her up and carried her across the threshold.
“I know you can,” he said when she frowned at his insistence, “but putting any more strain on that ankle won’t help it heal. For the time being, you’re stuck with me. Keys.”
Abigail narrowed her eyes as she fished the keys from her purse and handed them to him. Mateo fitted the metal into the lock and turned.
“I forgot how bossy you could be,” she mused.
“That’s because you were bossier than me. I didn’t have much opportunity to return in kind.”
“Is that what this is?” she asked, putting her arms around his neck so that she could hold him more securely. “Payback?”
He glanced at her and by the light of the moon, she could see the admiration in his eyes. Abigail’s heart started beating out of time and she tightened her lock on him.
“Sure,” Mateo said. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “This is payback.” Without another word, he strode to the car and got her settled before climbing in and starting the engine.
“Mattie, what did you mean when you said I broke my promise earlier?” “Nothing.”
“Mateo—”
“I asked you,” he stopped and inhaled a deep breath, “I asked you not to call my name like that.”
She fiddled with the smooth surface of her engagement ring. The diamond was ridiculously expensive and huge, exactly Paul’s style.
Though it had scraped her on more than one occasion, the last time she’d taken it off, Paul had thrown a fit, claiming she was cheating.
Tonight, she wondered what her life would become if she took off the ring, right here right now. Paul wouldn’t let her go easily. She knew that. He was a petty man and considered Abigail his ‘property’.
Her fiancé would come at her with everything he had, but if Mateo was on her side, his interference would be as annoying as a buzzing mosquito.
She turned the ring around and around. Should she do it? Should she take it off?
Abigail shivered and focused on the road ahead. What was she doing? She’d only spent a few hours with Mateo and was ready to throw herself on him because of their old friendship.
She had to be strong. Paul was her problem. If she left him, it would be for herself, not to make room for anyone else.