Chapter 25

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Wren's mind was spinning, but strangely, even though she had a headache from hell, her throat felt like a thousand bees had stung it from the inside, and she was crazy hungry—though couldn't imagine actually swallowing anything—she was happy.

The doctor in the emergency room had said she would be fine, but recommended she stay at least one night for observation. She protested but was outvoted by Bo.

He'd stayed true to his promise and when she'd been wheeled into the ER, he'd already been waiting for her. She wasn't sure how he did it, but somehow he'd been allowed to stay by her side the entire time she was there. Thank goodness.

When she'd first woken up on the kitchen floor, she was confused and disoriented, but as soon as she heard Bo's voice, she'd remembered what happened. She'd met with a detective and told him everything. She'd admitted to stabbing Barry, but she didn't feel a lick of remorse. The memory of the blackness slowly taking over her vision was still as vivid as it had been when it was happening. It was either stab him and make Barry let go of her neck, or die. And she sure as hell hadn't wanted to die. She had too much to live for.

Looking around her small hospital room, Wren smiled. This. This was why she'd fought so desperately to live. Bo's teammates were lounging around the room looking like a bunch of GQ models, and every nurse who came in to check on her did a double take, clearly surprised there were this many good-looking men in one place.

Not only that, but the meeting she'd been both anticipating and dreading with her biological father hadn't been postponed, after all.

When Bo had called Tyler to let him know what happened, he drove down to Riverton to see for himself that she was all right. And if she'd thought the meeting would be awkward, she was wrong. So very wrong.

Tyler Farris had walked into the room, and Wren knew exactly who he was the moment she'd spotted him. They looked so much alike, it was almost scary. He had black hair, just like hers. Of course, his was lightly peppered with gray, but he in no way looked old. She remembered from their conversations that he wasn't yet fifty. Nor was he overly tall, which explained why she was only five-five.

But more than the height and hair, it was his features that had Wren instantly tearing up. He had the same nose, the same lips, the same eyes that she saw in the mirror every morning. There was no denying this man was her father.

They'd both cried. Lying in a hospital bed wasn't how she'd planned on meeting her father, but honestly, in the end, she was simply grateful that he wasn't the deadbeat her mother had always insinuated, and that he seemed genuinely grateful to have found her.

Her half-brother Easton had driven down with his father, and even meeting him seemed almost natural.

The hospital room was crowded with people, all there to make sure she was all right. It wasn't something Wren could have imagined even a few months ago. Having friends like these. Bad things happened to good people all the time. For years, Wren struggled with why it seemed that more bad things had happened to her than others. But she finally figured it out. It was so she could properly appreciate what she now had in her life.

"Okay, everyone, Wren needs some sleep. Time to go!" Bo announced.

Wren smiled at the grumbles that went through the room, but she was grateful for him looking out for her. She was exhausted, could barely keep her eyes open. As much as she loved having all her friends and her real dad and brother there, she wouldn't mind if they left so she could close her eyes and not feel as if she was being rude.

It took some time for everyone to vacate the room, because they all had to come over to her and say goodbye one by one.

Her dad and brother were two of the last people to leave. Tyler approached the bed and looked down at her with what Wren could only imagine was fatherly pride. "Your young man told us what happened in South Sudan. Everything you went through. This probably isn't the time or the place…but I wa nted you to know I looked up the resume you submitted to Farris Morgan. I was really angry we didn't get to the interviews before BT Energy did, because I would've hired you in a heartbeat. And that has nothing to do with you being my daughter.

"And forgive an old man for being nosey, but I'm also aware that you submitted your resignation to BT. If you want or need a job, you'll always have one with Farris Morgan."

Wren blinked in surprise. "Oh." She looked over at Bo, who was standing off to the side, letting her have a semblance of privacy to say goodbye to everyone while obviously having no intention of actually leaving her side—for which she was grateful. "I don't know what to say," she finally stuttered out.

"You don't have to say anything right now. And we wouldn't expect you to move away from Riverton. Obviously, this is where Safe is stationed. We'll figure out the details if it's something you're interested in."

The offer was extremely generous, and Wren knew she'd be an idiot to turn it down. Even without knowing the exact details about what she'd be doing, or how it would work logistically if she wasn't living in Mission Viejo, the truth was, Farris Morgan had been her choice in companies to work for. The interview and offer from BT Energy had just come first.

"Thank you. Seriously."

Tyler nodded. Then he looked uncertain for a moment before asking, "Can I hug you?"

Wren nodded and held up her arms. Her father leaned down and gave her a very careful hug.

"I won't break," she whispered.

His arms tightened, and Wren closed her eyes. It was hard to believe this moment was happening. That she was here with her dad, and he wasn't a jerk, or killer, or any of the other things her mother had claimed over and over.

When Tyler stepped back, Easton also gave her a hug. "Good to meet you…sis. Dad's always wanted a daughter. Us boys were such a disappointment."

"Shut up," Tyler said, smacking his son's shoulder.

"At least family holidays will be prettier with Wren in attendance now," Easton said with a smile.

Wren swallowed hard, on the verge of tears. She'd never dreamed she'd have a family to sit around a large table with at Thanksgiving. Or to laugh and celebrate with at Christmas. Or to hide easter eggs and watch together as the youngsters went on the hunt.

As soon as her dad and brother left, Wren took a deep breath.

"Too much?" Bo asked as he sat in the chair next to her bed.

Wren shook her head. "No. It's just…unbelievable. Did you see, Bo? How much he looks like me?"

Bo smiled at her as he ran his thumb over the back of her hand. "I did."

"I know it sounds stupid, but I finally feel like I belong somewhere. That I'm not just out in the world on my own. And I realize I have you and everyone else now, but it just feels different to have a father. And brothers. A biological family."

"Speaking of which…my mom and dad are on their way. They'll be here tomorrow. I told them to meet us at the house, since you'll be discharged in the morning. "

"What?" Wren asked.

"I called and updated them about what happened. They weren't happy. Actually, that's a lie. They were pissed way the hell off that someone would dare hurt you. They're in the air right now. They'll get a hotel tonight near the airport, and Flash is picking them up in the morning to bring them over to the house."

"But they don't even know me," Wren protested.

Bo chuckled. "Honey, they know you. Every time I've talked to them since the day we've met, all I talk about is you. How amazing you are. How smart. How beautiful. They know all about your job, your trip to Africa, hell, even how awesome you were over there, how you escaped your kidnappers. And now they want to see for themselves that you're all right. Susie was upset she couldn't come out as well, but it's a little harder for her to travel with her kids being so young."

Wren was overwhelmed. She'd not only gained a biological father, stepmother, brothers, two nieces and a nephew, she'd somehow also gained a second mother and father as well. And a sister-in-law, niece and nephew.

"I love you."

Bo shook his head. "You have no clue how much I love you , sweetheart. Seeing you like that…I've never been more scared in my entire life."

"When he was…when I realized I was dying, I was so damn sad," Wren admitted. "I was going to miss out on a life with you. Then I got pissed. That's when I managed to find that knife block."

"I'm going to get the damn thing bronzed," Bo said. Then he sighed. "Sorry. That's fucked up. Bad memories and all. "

But Wren shook her head slightly. It still hurt to move more than that. "No. I have no regrets. I'm glad he's dead. He tried to kill me. They're sure he's dead, right?" she couldn't help but ask.

She'd been informed by the detective that Barry Simpson had died from the injury he'd received in the altercation with her in the kitchen. But because of the obvious strangulation marks around her neck, the 9-1-1 call she'd made, and what Bo had seen when he'd entered the house, backed up by both Kevlar and Remi, no charges were going to be filed against her.

"He's dead," Bo said firmly.

"How did he even get here? To California, I mean?" Wren asked.

"Apparently he climbed through an air duct in the jail in Wyoming and got onto the roof. He shimmied down a drain pipe and stole a truck. Ditched it once he was away from the city and stole a car. Came straight to Riverton."

Wren pressed her lips together and sighed. "Well…it's over now."

"It is," Bo agreed. "Now, what can I do for you? Another pillow? More blankets? Water?"

"I'm so tired," she told him. "But I'm hungry too. Do you think you can find me a milkshake? It's cold, so it should numb my throat, but also filling so my belly won't feel so empty, then maybe I can sleep."

"Of course. Vanilla?"

"Sounds perfect."

"I'll be back as soon as possible. Sleep if you can," he told her .

"Bo?"

"Yeah, sweetheart."

"Will you stay? Tonight, I mean."

"Nothing could tear me away."

"I'm sure the cots they have aren't very comfortable."

Bo simply laughed. "Hon, if you knew some of the places I've slept, you wouldn't even worry about that. Trust me, it'll be fine. Besides, I won't be sleeping much tonight anyway, if at all."

"Why?"

"Because I'll be up watching you breathe."

"Bo," Wren whispered in an anguished tone.

He simply shook his head. "When I got to you…the best sight I've ever seen in my life was your chest moving up and down. I can't lose you. Not when I just found you."

Wren reached for him then. Pulled on his shirt until he was leaning over her. She scooted and made room for him on the tiny mattress.

"Wren, I'm not supposed to?—"

"Don't care," she mumbled into his chest.

"But your milkshake…"

"Don't care about that either. I just need you. To feel you against me. Hear your heart beating under my cheek. I almost died today, Bo. I know that. You know that. Hell, Barry knew what he was doing. No one is going to dare say a damn word about me holding you like this."

A small chuckle rumbled under Wren's cheek. "You're probably right," Bo said as he made himself as comfortable as he could in the hospital bed with her.

"I am right," Wren said firmly. She settled into Bo's arms and finally, finally felt safe. Her lips twitched with the thought. "I finally understand why your nickname is Safe."

"I already told you why," he said.

But Wren shook her head. "No. I mean, yes, you did, but that's not it. It's not because of a softball game, it's because around you, people feel safe. Protected. Your friends back in SEAL school, or whatever it's called. Your teammates. Me."

"You are safe with me," Bo vowed. "I'll do whatever it takes to make sure you always feel that way when you're around me. Mentally and physically."

"I do," Wren said with a sigh. "I'm going to sleep now," she murmured, her words slurring.

She felt Bo's hand palm the back of her head as he held her against his chest. "Sleep, sweetheart. I'll watch over you and keep the mean nurses away as long as I can."

Wren chuckled. "Thanks. My knight in shining armor." That was the last thing she remembered saying as she fell into a deep, healing slumber.

"Knight in shining armor, my ass," Wren said under her breath as she paced back and forth across the bedroom.

The first thing she'd done when she got home from the hospital had been to grab the letter she'd left for Bo. It wasn't that she was ashamed for him to read it, she just thought maybe she'd tuck it away and hold onto it for some time in the future. To show him how much she cared about him before that trip to Africa.

Since she'd been home, she'd reveled in Bo's attention and affection. Meeting his parents had been scary as hell, but also amazing, as they were just as kind and welcoming as he said they would be.

The relationship with her father and half-brothers was progressing as well, and she'd agreed to take the job with Farris Morgan.

She'd been officially cleared of any wrongdoing in the death of Barry Simpson and the case had been closed. Somehow, Bo had ended her lease agreement with her former landlord, and he and his team had fixed up all the holes in the walls and other damage Barry had done when he'd gotten inside and wrecked the place, so she even got her security deposit back.

All in all, the last three weeks of her life had been very good…except Bo was being way too over-protective. He didn't want her to go anywhere, didn't want her to drive, didn't think it was a good idea for her to stay up too late.

And worst of all, he refused to do anything other than hold her close at night.

She was healed. The bruises around her neck were finally gone. She wasn't sore anymore, could eat whatever she wanted. And yet, Bo still refused to make love to her because he didn't want to hurt her.

The hell with that. Wren was fine . And it was time her boyfriend got the memo.

He'd gone to base today after making her promise not to leave the house. Wren loved their little house, but she was tired of seeing nothing but four walls.

Next week, she was scheduled to go up to Mission Viejo for her orientation with Farris Morgan. It was about an hour and a half trip, and she was looking forward to getting to know a new group of people and to start working for her father's company. She would still be working in PR, but not in front of any cameras. Her job would be to write press releases, help design and plan PR campaigns, be the go-to person for phone and Zoom interviews, and to help develop crisis management approaches.

Wren knew Bo was nervous about the planned trip north. Even though Remi and Caroline had said they'd go with her—they were looking forward to shopping while she was in her meetings—Bo was still leery of letting her out of his sight.

Nope. She was done.

Tonight, she decided. Tonight was the night he'd get over his need to keep her in a protective bubble…otherwise known as their house.

Smirking to herself, she quickly undressed and moved toward the bed, her blood already pumping through her veins faster as she opened the bedside drawer. She wanted this. Had missed the sexual connection she and Bo shared. He wouldn't be able to resist her…she hoped.

Hearing Bo's Jeep pull up outside the house, right on time, she hurried to get into position.

The front door opened, and Bo called out, "Wren? I'm home!"

"I'm in our room!" she yelled.

She held her breath as she waited for Bo to appear in the doorway.

His reaction when he saw her was all she'd dreamed of and more.

She was completely naked on their bed, her back propped against the headboard, her legs spread wide…and the vibrator she'd ordered online deep inside her body.

Without a word, Bo began to strip off his camouflage uniform. Seeing him in it always made Wren hot, but seeing him out of it was even better.

Before she knew it, he was completely nude and climbing onto the mattress. His cock was hard and she could see it dripping from where she was sitting. He needed this as much as she did, maybe more. She understood that he'd been through his own kind of hell when he'd seen her being strangled.

Still without speaking, he pushed her hand away from the toy between her legs and began to manipulate it himself, even as he leaned down and latched his mouth to her clit. She was already on the verge of an orgasm before he'd entered the room, so the second he sucked her bundle of nerves into his mouth, she exploded. Endorphins flooded her bloodstream.

"More!" she begged as she took his head in her hands.

He didn't hesitate. Within minutes, she was once more quaking under his masterful tongue and hands.

Then he pulled the vibrator out of her body, not even bothering to turn it off, and scooted up the mattress. He notched his cock between her folds—and hesitated.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm more than sure. I love you, Bo. I'm fine . All healed. I need you. More than you know."

"Oh, I know," he said, then he sank balls deep inside her with one fast thrust.

They both gasped—and just like that, Wren was coming again .

Apparently, he was as much on edge as she'd been, because his face contorted as he thrust just twice more, then his ass flexed as he emptied his load deep inside her body.

Wren couldn't help but chuckle. "So…that was faster than I thought it would be."

"I'm just getting started," Bo reassured her.

And amazingly, as he began to thrust lazily in and out of her now thoroughly lubricated body, she realized he was still hard.

Thirty minutes later, they were both sweaty, exhausted, and limp on the mattress. Wren had no idea how many times she'd orgasmed, but she felt as if she'd run a freaking marathon or something. And Bo seemed just as wiped out.

He was on top of her, his cock still deep inside her body. Flaccid now, but because of his length, he was able to stay buried inside her even after he came. He braced himself over her on his elbows and studied her face.

Wren loved this. Loved being surrounded by him. Pressed into the mattress. Having him inside her body.

"I went too far, didn't I?" he asked.

"A little," Wren said with a small smile.

"It's just…you scared me, sweetheart. For a split-second, I saw what my life would be without you…and I didn't like it."

"I know. But I'm okay now. All healed, as I think I just proved. Besides, you can't keep me holed up here forever."

Bo nodded. "But you're safe here."

Wren shook her head. They both knew that wasn't true. Hell, all it had taken was a few kicks and Barry was inside. Of course, Bo had replaced his front door with a solid steel one with reinforced locks and hinges. No one would ever be kicking that door open again. Not unless they had a hell of a battering ram.

"Oven fire, electrical fire, I could slip and fall and crack my head open. I could?—"

Bo put his hand over her mouth. "Okay. I get it. I've been overprotective and crazy. I'll tone it down."

Wren reached up and took his hand off her mouth. "I love you. I love that you're protective. That you want to keep me safe. But I still have to live, Bo. And…the next time you withhold sex for what you think is my own good, I won't be as nice about things."

He smiled down at her. "Okay."

"Okay," she echoed. "Now, I'm hungry. I think we should go out for Mexican."

"Or we could order it in…" Bo suggested with a little thrust of his hips.

Wren could feel his cock hardening inside her already.

"Again?" she asked incredulously.

"Hey, it's been a long three weeks," he protested.

"And whose fault was that?" she huffed.

"Totally mine," Bo said without hesitation.

"You think you can order our dinner and make love to me at the same time?" Wren teased. "Because I'm not moving, but I am hungry."

"We'll see," Bo said with a laugh as he reached for her phone sitting on the table next to the bed.

They ended up eating a tub of refried beans, queso, and eight à la carte tacos for dinner because Bo totally got distracted while trying to order, but Wren didn't complain. Not in the least.