Standing There (Love in the Park 1)

“Denver, do you know if the surveillance on the dead animal is still available?” Our system recycles space every month, but there was a glitch in the system yesterday. I should have fucking known. I was so damn lost in my bride that I wasn’t paying any attention.

“It is. I have the full day saved prior to and after the incident.”

“Okay, send it to me. I have a theory I’m running on.”

“Yes, sir.”

I pull my sister in my arms for a hug. I need it more than she even knows. “I’m sorry, Roman. I hope she’s going to be just fine.”

“Thanks, Case, I know you and Lindsay were starting to become very close.” My throat tightens up at the prospect of losing her.

“Boss, it’s the doctor.” I turn around and walk over to the doctor who’s clearly looking for me.

“Doc, please tell me she’s going to make it.”

“She is. The bullet missed all the major organs. Can I have a word with you in private as well?” I nod and follow the doctor into a small break room. “Mrs. Wolf is pregnant.”

“I’d say she’s only a few weeks, so from now on, she’ll be monitored regularly. At least once a week for the next couple of months. I would also suggest a lot of rest. And before you ask, as long as she’s not bleeding or in too much pain from her wound, sex is acceptable.”

“Thank you, doctor. Can I please see her now?”

“Yes, but she’s sedated in recovery.”

I go into the main OR area looking for the recovery when I see a group of cops standing by the door. “Is this for Lindsay Wolf?”

“Yes, Mr. Wolf. According to the doctors, you’re the only one allowed in.” They lead me into the room, closing the door behind me. “My love,” I whisper, rushing to her bedside and resting my head on her bed.

Chapter 19

Lindsay

“Fuck me,” I grunt and not in a good way. My shoulder hurts so much, and Roman’s downstairs making me something to eat. It’s been a full month since our wedding and of course my almost death. I have a lot of recovery to go through, but so does Roman. He’s gone into the super-safe mode. He had the tree uprooted and turned into a freaking bench. One thing is for sure, my bastard attacker is no more. He died from his injuries just last week. I don’t relish the death of someone else, but the feeling of peace had been far greater than ever before. As for the person who helped the fuck into the tree, he was standing under our noses the whole time—Dan.

Once he was caught and knew that it was possible jail time and the loss of his income, he took his own life. Until yesterday, I wasn’t sure the motive. Then it was clear when they pulled his records. Stewart Guest was Dan’s father and had his own personal demons. A trail of missing women were in his path as well. It’s scary what these two had hidden so well. Roman’s tripling up on his background check for every employee even ones that have been with the company for a decade. Next week he’ll have reviewed them all.

The smell of bacon hits my nose, and no pain in my arm can stop me from making a mad dash to the bathroom. By the time I stop, I hear the bedroom door open. “Lindsay,” Roman calls out. “Are you okay in there?”

“I’m fine. I’m coming out.” I pop a couple of Tylenol because it’s the only thing that’s safe for me at this time. When they told me I was pregnant, I demanded that I be taken off the hard drugs as soon as possible. I was only on them for a week. It’s for the best. The pain doesn’t get that bad any more, well sometimes, but I can manage.

“Does it hurt this morning?”

“A little more than usual. I rolled to my bad side this morning.”

“Yeah, twice last night you did and groaned, rolling back into my arms. I’m sorry, Lindsay.”

“Roman, stop with the guilt, the blame, the recriminations. This has nothing to do with you. You did what you could, and if you hadn’t pulled me out of the way, I might not even be here.”

“Don’t say that. It’s unfathomable.”

“What’s unfathomable is this breakfast. I love you, and I love that you try to take care of me, but this isn’t one of them.”

“I’m sorry. I tried. My parents are on their way here. I can ask them to pick up food.”

“No, I’ll make something small in a minute. I know you have to leave.” The doorbell rings and Roman checks the door from his phone. It’s his parents. “See, I have them here to help.”

I get dressed while Roman goes down to let them in. “Holy shit, bro, lay off on the cooking. It smells like burnt bacon mixed with shit.” I hear her as I reach the top of the stairs.