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CHAPTER 26Griffin“Are you about ready to go?” Bebe asks as she zips the large suitcase we’d brought with us to New York ato check the bathroom one more time”

She’s been in mother mode since I was released from the hospital yesterday I’d been in just a little over twenty-four hours, but it was so late in the day by the tiht in a hotel before driving back to Pittsburgh today

Yesterday afternoon and evening, I spent unshot wound wasn’t overly serious—infection being the thing they were et IV antibiotics in me But there was a level of exhaustion I didn’t feel like battling, so I was grateful for the extra day of rest before we traveled

Bebe was byoverfor me I assured her I was fine, let her feed ry, and I slept hard

But thisto be on leave from the FBI for at least a hile I recuperate, and there’s no place I’d rather be than back in Pittsburgh with Bebe Not to iven up o when I went undercover, but that’s irrelevant

The point being… I don’t want to leave Bebe’s side right now While I got shot, she’s been through more of an emotional turmoil than anyone else, and I’m a bit worried about her

Okay, a lot worried about her I learned things about her that I never iined, and I need soachev’s dead

She crosses the room, briefly disappears into the bathroo the small shampoo and conditioner bottles the hotel provides She holds them up with a sheepish smile “I can never leave these behind”

Froe of the bed, I watch as she moves back to the suitcase and stuffs theback toour car to the front I can handle the suitcase so on’t need a bellman”

“Hey,” I say softly, holding my hand out “Come here a minute and let’s talk”

Bebe tilts her head, her expression quizzical “Are you okay?”

I level a chastising look, patting the mattress beside me “Get your butt over here and sit”

There’s no hesitation She takes a seat beside htly so she can look hts about going to Pittsburgh, are you?”

“No, not at all,” I assure her, taking her hand in mine “It’s just… we haven’t had a chance to talk about what happened And I’m worried about you”

Bebe blinks in surprise, leaning in slightly “Worried about me? You’re the one as shot… almost killed Why would you be worried about me?”

My heart is heavy that I need to press this upon her, but I need to know “He raped you”

She doesn’t flinch Blink Doesn’t even suck in a deep breath

Instead, Bebe s else there No sadness, bitterness, or shame

“He did,” she replies simply “It was before I stole the codes I’d wanted out, and it was his way of putting me in my place He also threatened Aaron’s life It was effective because I went through with it”

“He raped you,” I repeat, this tiet verification but to let her kno that affected eful In my entire life, I’ve never wanted to kill someone But I wanted him dead I tried to kill him, Bebe Had my hands been free… he’d be dead because ofto take a man’s life because of it And now… all I can think is if I felt that way about it—had such strong eirlfriend—what in the hell were you possibly going through? You’re the one as violated and destroyed by that ? How did you survive that? What are you feeling now? Before we get in the car and head off to a future together, I need to kno you’re doing and what I can do to ht still be broken? Just tell me—”