Fractured Hearts (Shattered Lives, Book Three) (52 page)

James stepped forward. “I would.”

The tension could have been cut with a knife, but Elaina stepped aside to allow James to speak his feelings…although she was ready to pounce at a moment’s notice if he got out of line.

He cleared his throat. “I know I wasn’t the most respectable husband a wife would want. There were many things I did wrong and many things I certainly regret. When I saw Quinn’s lifeless body clutched in Gunther’s arms, I realized what I gave up.” He looked up to the sky for a brief second before his eyes went back to her body. “I would like to say I am truly sorry for every ounce of pain and grief I caused her, our daughter, our grandson, and Quinn’s family.”

As he wiped the tears from his face, he said, “I would also like to say that I could see the love Quinn and Gunther shared. You were the husband she desired. The husband she deserved. She was truly blessed to have a man like you in her life. I’m so thankful you brought her beautiful smile back to her face and love to her heart after I crushed everything for which she ever hoped. She deserved the happiness you gave her.” He stepped away from the head of the grave, leaving every emotion open, raw, and exposed.

Josie pushed through the crowd, wiping her face and nose with her sleeve. “I just wanted to tell everyone that she treated me like her daughter, and I looked at her like a mother. I love her so very much, and I will miss her every day for the rest of my existence.”

As she sobbed, Josiah reached out and wrapped his arm around her, holding her close and stroking her hair. With no other place to go, she allowed him to comfort her.

One foot in front of the other, Gunther made his way forward with a profound ache in his chest that he was positive would never leave him. The emptiness he felt was just the beginning of the end of who he was.

No one was sure if they could handle anymore, especially hearing a goodbye from Gunther. Elaina tried her hardest to stay strong as he made his way to her.

“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life,” he muttered to himself, not realizing he said it out loud.

He stopped and stared into the grave at the love of his life wrapped in a blanket. He was at a loss for words and begged his body to keep him standing because he wanted to tell everyone what Quinn meant to him.

“Take your time,” Elaina whispered as she reached for his hand. He accepted the strength she so willingly passed to him.

Gunther cleared his throat. “From the moment I rescued Quinn right after this all began, I knew there was something truly amazing about her. She had a smile that would captivate even the cruelest of people.” Her smile captivated him…and he was one of the cruelest people he knew. He took a couple deep breaths, emotionally losing ground. “Quinn was creative, intelligent, loving, and beautiful. I am honored to have shared many things with her, which includes the birth of my son. That was the most incredible day of my life and I will be forever thankful she gave me that little miracle.

“She taught me how to love, to be loved, to respect, and to accept. In the short time I knew her, I learned more than I did in my entire life. Minutes before her death, I found out she was with child again. My heart aches that I will never be able to meet my youngest in this lifetime.” Gunther looked to the sky, kissed two fingers, then held them up. “I love you so much, it hurts. I promise you I will take care of our Grey bear the best I can.” With eyes of a man with an empty soul, he looked back at the crowd that was gathered. “Thank you everyone. I will forever be grateful for the kindness you’ve shown.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the pair of wedding bands. He rolled them in his fingers momentarily before lightly tossing her ring on top of her blanketed body. Then he slid his on and treaded away in silence, not minding all the eyes staring at him.

A harsh shudder ran through Gunther’s body. He swayed to the left, his spine sagged, and his knees began to bend.

Elaina rushed to him. While he bawled his eyes out, she held him for several minutes, providing him with warmth, something he was in desperate need of.

Once the sound of shoveling made it to their ears, they sat at the head of the grave while Chris and Jake buried Quinn.

Cora padded up, Grey squirming around in her arms. “I’m going to take him inside. He’s getting fussy and seems to be ready to eat again.”

Gunther hissed as he stood, kissed Grey on the forehead, then embraced Cora. “Words can’t express the gratitude I feel for what you’re doing for my son. Without you, he would perish, as well.”

Tears filled Cora’s eyes in response to Gunther’s appreciative words. She kissed him on his uninjured cheek and headed back into their home, bouncing a cranky Grey on her shoulder. Gunther watched them the entire way back into the school, making sure they made it in safely. He held out his hand and helped Elaina stand.

“You’re doing an amazing job. Thank you.” He kissed her on the cheek and faced the grave once again. “Did you make their cross?” he asked in a rough voice as his eyes traced the patterns and letters.

“Yes,” she cringed with a flush across her cheeks.

“It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

“It’s not as beautiful as…” she began.

“It’s perfect,” Gunther muttered. He shifted his weight back and forth as he continued to stare at the freshly dug dirt. “Elaina, I feel like this is a nightmare. How do I move forward?”

“Well, you don’t really have a choice. That baby boy needs his daddy, and we need you, too.” He nodded. “Come on. Let’s get you inside. You should eat something, then try to get a little rest.” She wrapped her arm around his waist and guided him back inside the school.

After Thomas and I walked the perimeter and secured the building, I changed into gym shorts and a t-shirt. I walked back toward the cafeteria where a bunch of people were lingering.

When Elaina saw me, she bit down on her bottom lip. I knew what she was thinking and a half-smile lifted the corner of my mouth. I wrapped my arm around the curve of her waist and pulled her close to me, groaning in her ear, “Later, love. Me and you. I have some moves I want to show you.”

“I bet you do. You better get away from me before everyone sees what a lucky wife I am,” she said, kissing my cheek.

We sat with Gunther, who was staring off into space. I slid my hand up her thigh, reaching where the heat was pooling. I gave her a quick squeeze and released her.

“All right, mate. What are your plans? I think you should try to get some rest.”

Gunther popped another nut into his mouth. “Yeah. At least that’s what your wife tells me I need to do,” he mumbled.

“She tends to be a little bossy,” I said with a chuckle. “Sometimes I have to take her down a notch.” Gunther smirked, appreciating my humor. “Well, in a few minutes, I’m going to head up a little training session. You can sit in if you want, offer tips or advice, but I prefer that you rest. Take some time before you get back into things.”

Gunther nodded. “Yeah. I’m pretty spent. I didn’t sleep much last night. I probably won’t ever again.” He took a swig of water and set the bottle on the table. He fiddled around with the package of nuts, crinkling and tearing it to bits. “I think I’m going to go check on Grey, Josie, and Cora.”

The pain on his face was unmistakable as he stood and shuffled out the door.

“I’m worried about him, Elaina.”

“Me, too.”

“He said he almost shot himself last night. I would confiscate all of his firearms, but he’d be able to find them. He’s going to shut down. The look in his eyes tells me so. It’s just going to get more difficult with him until he turns the corner.”

“We just have to do our best and show him he’s loved,” she murmured.

Thomas approached. “You ready?” I asked him.

“Yeah.”

“Let’s get this done then.”

I kissed Elaina on her cheek, then Thomas and I headed for the gym.

When Josie opened the door to let Gunther in, Cora was leaning back on the couch with Grey nestled into her chest under a blanket. A slight whimper escaped from his lips at the sight. Then he focused on the kids, who were sitting at the table, playing a game.

Cora motioned to the open spot on the couch next to her. “Have a seat.” She made some adjustments and set the blanket on her lap.

“Is he asleep?” Gunther asked as he touched a wild curl on Grey’s head.

“Yeah. I don’t dare move. He’s a bit fussy. Probably misses his momma,” Cora murmured. Gunther looked away. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“It’s fine. I think you’re right. They were really tight.”

“I taste and smell different than Quinn. I’m actually surprised he took to me right away. I expected a battle of wills. He must’ve been really hungry.”

“He was always on her. Probably why he’s such a big chunk.” He reached over and touched Grey’s face, making him grunt. Gunther smiled as much as he could.

“How are you feeling…physically?”

“I’m achy. My side is throbbing all the way down. Oh, surprisingly, my face hurts pretty badly, as well. You probably would have never guessed that by looking at me, though.”

She reached out and patted his thigh. “Josie, can you run down and get the vodka and more gauze?”

“Yes, of course.” Cora tried to dig into her pocket for the clinic room key without disturbing Grey.

“Here. I’ll hold him.” As Gunther reached for him, he hissed.

“You sure?”

“Yes, of course. I don’t expect you to care for him all the time. I just need a couple days to heal, then I’ll just have you feed him when needs it.”

Carefully, Cora slid him over to Gunther. Grey stretched and grunted again as Gunther leaned back into the cushion. He felt such love in his heart for his little boy. As he thought about how difficult it was going to be to care for him on his own, his one open eyelid grew heavy.

“Here. Let me get you a pillow so you can lie down and be comfortable.” Cora rushed around. “Lie back. It will make it easier to change your bandages anyway.”

As soon as he lay back, the exhaustion enveloped him and he drifted off.

When Josie came back in with the supplies, Cora held her finger to her lips. Slowly and with great effort to be gentle, Cora removed his bandages.

As she wiped down his wounds, she shuddered. “This must be so painful,” she whispered. “He’s going to have a terrible scar. And his ribs… I can’t imagine how much pain he must be in. I’ll have to retighten the bandage when he wakes.”

“I’m sure his body doesn’t hurt nearly as much as his heart does.”

Cora glanced at Josie and saw her wiping the tears away from her cheeks. “I would imagine that’s true. How are
you
doing, sweetheart?”

“I’m having a hard time with it. I’ve lost two moms now. If I lose him or you, I might go mental.”

Touching Josie’s arm, she said, “I’m so sorry.”

Gunther groaned, so Josie took it upon herself to cover him with the blanket.

“Momma?” Silas called from the table.

“Yes, Si?” She walked over and knelt to his level.

“Is Mr. Gunther going to love you now?”

Shocked, she replied, “Oh…I highly doubt that, little man.”

“But you are Grey’s momma now.”

“No, Si. No, I’m not. Please never say that in front of Mr. Gunther. It would make him really sad.”

“But you’re feeding him like Callie.”

“I know little man, but that’s the only way he can eat. Since his momma is now in heaven, he has to eat somehow.”

Silas looked sad. “I miss Ms. Quinn,” he said as he began to cry.

Cora hugged him for a moment. “We all do.” She kissed the top of his head. “You know, why don’t you make Mr. Gunther a nice card? I bet he would love that.”

Silas scooted around in the chair at the table with a bin of crayons and a sheet of paper. Cora pushed his chair in and patted him on his head.

Wanting to forget everything that happened, every moment of violence, every drop of blood that was spilled, I stormed into our room after the training session. I wanted to have my fix, maybe release a little tension, and take a nap.

Holding a flashlight, Elaina was sitting at the desk, thumbing through a book, already filling a couple vials. “Look at you, Captain Sexy, with your shirt off. Henry, you really look great since you started taking care of yourself again.”

“Thanks, love,” I said with a little grit. Three strides and I was in her face. Taking the book and flashlight out of her hands, I set them on the desk, then unhooked and dumped back the vials. “Mmm…,” I groaned, staggering over to the bed. “Come over here,” I demanded, lying back.

“So very cocky, Mr. Daniels. Make me,” she coaxed.

I lifted an eyebrow at her. “All right then, Mrs. Daniels.” I jumped up and bounded to her. Pulling her out of the chair, I threw her over my shoulder, then tossed her on the bed and landed right on top of her. I ground my hips into hers. “Did you say you want me to be all cocky?” I grabbed her hand and ran it down my body, forcing her to grip onto my thick and heavy soldier. “How’s that for cocky?”

“Amazing,” she moaned.

I slammed my mouth on hers, attacking and possessing. She was hot as hell and I was going to take my wife rough into the night.

My high peaked and every nerve stood on end. I held her arms down and rubbed my lower body against hers.

In one motion, my shorts and boxers came off. Then I tore through her clothes like they were trash. Relentlessly, I thrust and pounded myself into her. It drove her right over the edge, coming quick and hard.

“More…,” she whispered, panting.

Breathing heavy and working her to the very core, I pulled out and flipped her over, caressing her back, hips, and ass.

“God, you are so fucking fit,” I murmured, gripping her hips and slamming into her again.

My body was popping against hers, filling the room with the sounds of intense passion. The need to be deeper in her called to me, so I switched to a kneeling position, bringing her with me. One hand pinched at her nipple while the other massaged her sensitive nub.

“Oh fuck, Henry,” she cried out.

“Come on, love,” I growled breathlessly, continuing to pop my hips up.

Her body went rigid, heat flushing everywhere I touched. The light sheen of sweat increased as she pulsated furiously around me. Feeling her perfect core gripping onto my cock made me groan again and again. She was so unreal.

I had her in an escapable hold while circling my hips a couple times. “Uhhhhh…fuck! I’m going to come!” I shouted. And I crumbled beneath her, filling her, holding her tight around her waist. My breath was ragged in her ear, making her shiver.

Moments later, I found enough strength to pull out, falling on the bed next to her. “God, love,” Elaina curled up next to me. “You’re so… I can’t even describe it. Hot? No. That doesn’t even begin to explain it. I don’t know. You meet and exceed my every need and desire. I have got it bad for you. That’s all I know.”

“I love you,” she whispered, then moaned a little as I ran my fingertips up and down her spine.

“Love you, too. Sweet dreams, my love.”

She completely relaxed and dozed off. I wasn’t far behind, needing to get a couple hours before it was time to stalk the area.