Page 6 of Under His Guard

“The authorities want to speak with you about the other patient. They’re looking for release of the body and a formal autopsy.”

“Of course. Thank you again.”

They part ways, and I’m quick to pull myself back toward the bed as my doctor comes back over to me.

“Okay, so you’ll want to follow these instructions for care and cleaning. If you see anything concerning, call the hospital or just come in.” Dr. Stewart hands me a stack of stapled papers. “You’ll also need to go into your primary or come here for a post-suture follow-up. I’d also recommend getting someone to help you with lifting anything for a while. You’d benefit from post-surgical rehabilitation exercises as well.”

The instructions are real familiar at this point, but the last suggestion draws my attention, and I cock a brow at her.

“Surgical rehabilitation?”

Dr. Stewart nods, her eyes rolling before she meets my gaze again. “I know, you didn’t really have surgery. But the stitches were deep, and getting extra care while you’re mending can make a big difference in recovery.”

My mind immediately goes to places it probably shouldn’t, but I’m a you-only-live-once kind of guy, so what the hell, right?

“Would you be administering this extra care?”

The innuendo in my voice is obvious, and my sweet doctor actually blushes, her mouth falling open slightly.

“Um, no.” She shakes her head, playing it off with a smile. “You’d be going to a clinic for that, Mr. Shaw.”

I’m about to correct her about my name again when we both snap our attention to the commotion at the front door to the ER.

One of the younger members of the gang has pushed inside and is making a scene, his hand on something tucked into his belt before security pins him to the ground.

It takes them too long to get him down, though. If he was a more experienced member…

Oh, so that’s what you were doing. Testing the water. Dammit.

I’ve seen this type of play before, checking to see what the defenses in the area are like before launching your actual attack.

If Dr. Stewart is here alone with those rent-a-cops as her only security, the Cobras will stand way too good of a chance against her.

I can’t have that.

“Jeez, I guess they’re pretty upset.” Dr. Stewart’s voice is even because she doesn’t know how right she is.

Stepping in front of her, I put on my most unassuming smile.

“It’s still Luke. And—” I hold out the paper, gesturing with my head “—what if I’d be more comfortable with you? Could I arrange for you to help me with the rehab?”

“Me?” She frowns slightly, tilting her head at me.

“I’d be happy to pay you. I’d just like…for you to be the one assisting me.”

Chapter 3

Clara

I stutter over my words as I try to understand just what my patient is getting at.

“I’m not…You wouldn’t…” I huff out a breath, chuckling a little to ease the tension crowding my thoughts. “Mr. Shaw?—”

“It’s still Luke.”

When I refocus on his face, having previously dropped my attention resolutely to the floor, I’m greeted by that damn smirk of his.

It is wildly unnerving—in a way that makes me clench my thighs together unconsciously.

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