Submerged

Her sister had been more than determined to look after her once Rebecca was released from the hospital in a day or two. Kelly had already arranged to stay with her for a few days, but the thought made Rebecca very nervous. If someone still wanted her dead, then her house wasn’t going to be safe for any of them.

She could ask Wesley to move back in. The thought made her cringe. She knew what would happen if she did that. Wesley would take advantage of the situation, of her weakness, and the next thing she’d know he’d be moved in permanently. And if there was one thing she was absolutely sure about it was that she was done with him. The divorce couldn’t happen soon enough.

She thought of his gambling addiction. He may not have tried to kill me and the kids directly, but his actions could be responsible.

She glanced at the clock by the door. Wesley would be here soon.

“Mommy, I’m tired,” Ella said.

“How about you and Colton go have a nap in your room? I think I need one too.”

“I’m not tired,” Colton grumbled.

“Watch TV then. But don’t have the volume up too loud. Let your sister sleep.”

When they were gone, she picked up the hospital phone and the business card next to it. “Marcus?” she said when he picked up. “I know you’re probably busy, but…”

“What do you need?”

His voice had become an instant comfort. “To talk to you.”

“Want me to come to the hospital?”

“If it’s not too inconvenient.”

“I’ll be right over.”

When Marcus entered her hospital room, the first thing Rebecca noticed was that he’d shaved. He’d also put on aftershave, something earthy—sandalwood and musk.

“You shaved,” she said, biting her lip at the absurdity of her comment.

He rubbed his smooth chin. “Yeah, Leo advised me to clean up a bit. Said I looked like I’d been on a three-day bender.”

“But you haven’t.” It was a statement, not a question. “Leo sounds like a good friend.”

He dragged the chair to the side of the bed. “The best.”

“How long have you known him?”

“Seems like forever.” He laughed. “I met Leo on the job, back when I was a paramedic.”

“Did he work with you?”

“No. At that time, he was in no condition to work for anyone.” He paused as if summoning up the right words. “I was called out to a situation about fifteen years ago. Unconscious male passed out in a bar.”

“Ah, and that was Leo.”

He nodded. “I can’t go into all the details—confidentiality and all—but I will say he was in rough shape. Even came close to dying that night.”

“But he didn’t, and now you’re friends.”

“We have a lot in common, Leo and I. Both of us have much to atone for.”

She glanced out the window, thinking about Marcus’s drug addiction. It had affected his career and marriage. Just like Wesley’s gambling addiction. She knew the toll that had taken on her and the kids.

So why was she even considering bringing Marcus Taylor into her life?

Because you like him. Because he’s not Wesley.

“Did Leo know Jane?” she asked.

“Yeah. We used to have weekend dinners with him and his wife—before they were married.”

“So, technically, you saved him too.”

He blushed. “I was part of a team who responded to the call.”

“But you visited him afterward.”

Marcus shrugged. “I went to check on him at the hospital. We got to talking, and before I knew it, we were friends.”

She smiled. “Sometimes that’s how fast it happens.”

There was a long pause.

“How have you been, Marcus?”

“I think I should be the one asking you that question. You look better.”

“I look like crap.”

He leaned over her, examining her face. When he touched the small scar on her chin, she flinched. She’d been self-conscious about the scar for so long—not because of what it looked like but what it represented.

“Childhood accident?” he asked.

“Not exactly.”

“Your husband?”

She nodded, and he opened his mouth as if to say something, but then shut it quickly.

“He hasn’t… hit me in a long time.”

The muscle in Marcus’s jaw twitched. “He shouldn’t have hit you at all.”

“I know.”

“Did you report him?”

She shook her head. “I couldn’t. The kids…”

“He needs to know it’s not right to hit a woman. Or anyone for that matter.”

“You’re right. I know that. But I had to give him a second chance. For Ella and Colton’s sake.”

He sighed. “I guess I understand second chances better than anyone.”

“After the last time Wesley hurt me, I let him know I wanted a divorce. I went to Carter, my lawyer, and told him everything. And we had hospital records to back up my story. When we met with Wesley, Carter told him I wouldn’t press charges if he’d agree to an amicable divorce. And he had to agree that I’d have sole custody of the kids.”

“That must not have gone over too well.”

“He didn’t like it. But he didn’t argue.”

“Possibly we’re all looking at this from the wrong point of view. Maybe it’s not about the money. Maybe it’s about the kids.”