AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s a precaution, fluids and in case they need to run some antibiotics or something.”
“So you’re better?”
“I’m good. Sore, little weak still, but good,” he stresses. “Raven, I need you to stay out of trouble, stay here, at least that long. Let me help you with all this.”
“Me too.”
I jolt up when his voice slams into me like a fucking brick to the chest.
My eyes hit his and I can’t keep it in. My lip starts to tremble, so bad I don’t realize my nails are digging into my leg, until Captain tugs them free.
I run my tongue across my teeth, wishing to come off stronger.
Maddoc walks in, fighting for a blank stare, but he can’t manage it.
His entire face morphs, unconcealed agony and regret right at the surface for both of us to witness.
Tears tremble at the edge of my eyes as he takes in our position.
Before, this wouldn’t be an issue. He wouldn’t even blink, he’d appreciate one of his own comforting me and vice versa.
But before, I wasn’t married to the man beneath me, holding onto me... and I gave up the one staring in my eyes in doing it.
I swear the corner of his eyes grow red, glossy.
He wants to so bad, but he can’t look away.
He stares, his mind convincing him he’s staring at a girl loving on her new husband who she almost lost.
Come on, Big Man... as if I could replace you so quick. Ever.
Cap senses it, the pull between his brother and me. The magnet calling me to him, but I’m frozen. Captain tries to gently nudge me off, but I lock my muscles, begging, so his hand relaxes against me, his grip growing firmer, his way of supporting me in this moment.
Maddoc finally moves his eyes to his brother, and his shoulders fall. “Cap...”
“I’m sorry,” Captain says.
Maddoc glares. “Don’t.”
“I’m sorry, Maddoc. I...” Captain’s eyes shift to me, but I still can’t tear my eyes from the dark-haired, green-eyed, guy in front of me.
My heart is breaking for real. I thought it hurt when he left, yeah right.
If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear my chest was being cut open right here and now.
Maddoc doesn’t say anything but torturously slow, slides his eyes back to mine.
“Hey,” he whispers and it’s no use from there.
Warm, wet, tears roll down my cheeks. I couldn’t stop them if I tried.
“Hey...”
His nostrils flare, his jaw flexing and he spins around, giving us his back as he drops his chin to his chest, clearing his throat. “I’ll get the nurse.”
And he’s gone again.
My face falls in my hands and I shake my head.
“I’m sorry, Cap.” I quickly pull myself from his grip, and he tries to snatch me back, but I dash to the side, and he can’t reach farther. He’s still stuck to his machines. I force my eyes to his.
“Do not apologize to me again.” He glares. “This isn’t easy, Raven, and you’re human, even if you act like Wonder Woman.”
“More like Harley Quinn.”
Through his anger and the tension, he chuckles, dropping his head back against the pillow. A small grin forms on his lips, and though his eyes are still sad, it makes me smile back.
I move back to my own bed, finding Victoria’s blank stare on me. Slowly she shifts hers to Cap and then looks back down at her blanket before meeting mine again. She lifts her brows, smirking, going for playful but her concern is there.
“Always in the line of fire.”
“Eh.” I nod my head back and forth. “I mean, this time I was in the line of a busted ass pick-up truck, but tomato tomatoe, yeah?”
She chuckles, pushing to her feet and coming over to my bed. She drops on the end of it, staring at me.
“What?”
She glances at Captain, bringing her eyes back to me. Strain finds her forehead.
“Vee?”
She opens her mouth, closing it just as quick when the nurse walks in. The nurse who almost gets knocked to her ass when Royce rushes past her, and skids to a stop next to me.
His eyes fly over my face, and he grins, planting his arms on his hips. “Goddamn you, RaeRae.”
I give a single shoulder shrug. “I told you. Trouble finds me.”
He scoffs, leaning forward to grip my head gently, and kiss my hair. “You ain’t lying, girl.”
Rolland walks in next, concern etched in his brows, but he doesn’t speak, and Bass follows, staying posted half in and half out the door.
“I’m gonna need near her, to check her,” the nurse teases warmly, slipping between Royce and me. She gives a sad smile. “Hi.”
My eyes narrow when with each passing second, her features grow more tense.
She looks to my arms, then the screen, then the cords dangling off the bed. “You’ve unplugged. We need to get the IV back—”
