Hugh was pretty sure she’d said that already, but the jackass Stanton was still holding her tight to his chest.
“I’m carrying you. I already said I would.”
Did Hugh make this big of an ass of himself over Rowan?Probably.
“Since I’m quite used to you treating me like an unwanted guest for the past two years, you’ll forgive me if I tell you that I don’t give ashitabout what you want anymore.”
Hugh walked at a snail’s pace so Rowan wouldn’t miss any of Stanton verbally hitting himself in the face.
Shocking the room, William angrily retorted, “You don’t have to give a shit, Kate, but I do.Igive a shit. About you. About us. I’m not going to leave you alone.”
“Your attention will wander like it always has. You’ll forget about me the moment something more interesting crosses in front of you. I’ve always been an afterthought. What I’ve been through the past few days made me realize that I deserve better.” Katy sighed and looked at Rowan. “Please, go let Becky take care of your hand and legs, Row. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
William ignored everyone in the room except for the woman in his arms. Hugh could appreciate that.
“You’re right. I’ve been a selfish idiot, and that’s why I quit. I told Dad and the kids yesterday. I have a few projects to signoff on, then I’m done. We have more than enough competent employees to run Stanton Industries. I plan on putting you first, which is what I should have been doing all these years.”
Katy’s eyes rounded at the news. “What do you mean you quit? It’syourcompany.”
“Technically, it’s Dad’s. Having you taken, kidnapped, stuffed into the trunk of a car, starved, and scared...” he swallowed thickly, “changed how I think. Now, I plan on carrying you to your room. You can kick me out then if you wish.” He looked at Nurse Tammy before he walked out and added, “Please bringMrs. Stanton’swheelchair.”
With that mic drop, the Stantons and their nurse left. One more to go until he was alone with Rowan. Thank God.
Rowan was flagging.By the time Becky poked her head out of the bathroom to help carry Rowan to bed, another hour had passed. She was always small, but this past week had taken a heavy toll. She looked fragile, and of all the Byrne sisters, Rowan was the least fragile of the bunch.
Once she was tucked in, he dimmed the lights as low as they would go and pulled a chair up next to her side of the bed. She’d done nothing but watch him so far. Now, as he settled himself on the chair, his thigh lengthwise to the mattress, he watched her watching him.
“I thought you wanted to stay with me tonight. Just us. Did you change your mind?”
“I’m not leaving you.” He watched Rowan pick at her blanket, fidgeting in a way that was not usual for this levelheaded Byrne. “Are you feeling okay? Do you need Becky?”
“No. I…no.”
“Rowan,” he growled. She was keeping something from him. “Tell me.”
“Take your clothes off and get in bed first,” she countered.
“I don’t want to take the chance of hurting you, baby.” He took her hand and brought it to his mouth, kissing her palm.
Her answer was to sit up and pull her t-shirt off, leaving her bare-breasted and in simple, white cotton panties. He gripped his knees to stop himself from touching what he shouldn’t.
“Clothes off. Lights off. In bed.” At his frown, she added, “Please.”
When he stood, towering over her, he could tell by the way her eyes tracked over his body that she wanted more from him tonight than comfort. He felt his dick twitch, remembering their last night together. Their only night together.
He pressed his palm against the seam of his jeans, causing him to hiss in the pleasure and pain of having her eyes boldly watching. She restlessly pulled the sheet from the rest of her legs, and that’s when he got his first full view of her lower legs.
His body’s wants were forgotten. He gently took one of her feet and lifted her leg. Up until now, they’d been lightly wrapped. He swallowed the lump in his throat. He didn’t want her to have to deal with his emotions on top of healing her own. But Christ, starting below her ankles to halfway up her shins were circular welts and thin new scabs. Every bit was bruised, all purples and deep blues.
He took immense satisfaction knowing the men responsible for this were dead.
“How badly are you hurting?” he asked, gently replacing her leg on the bed.
Rowan watched him for a beat before answering. “It looks much worse than it feels. Can you help me with something?”
“Anything.” He should have known what was coming by the look in her eyes. “Take my panties off.” She held up her bandaged hand. “This thing makes getting undressed such a chore.”
“Does it?”
