Page 57 of Caretaker

Chapter Nineteen

“He was very lucky.” Shane’s doctor crossed her arms and then, as though uncomfortable with standing around doing nothing, took a black penlight from her pocket and shone it into his eyes.

He turned his head away, then flinched at the sudden movement. “Both of you get the hell out of here and let me sleep.”

I beamed at the doctor. “He’s feeling better.”

Her smile was rueful. “I’m afraid he’s not going to be feeling better for a few days. Please let us know if you have further questions.” Then she marched from the room.

I leaned over with the intention of kissing Shane’s cheek, but his lips were more tempting. I pressed my lips to his, lingering when he slid his fingers up my arm and held me there.

Finally, I pulled away and straightened. “You scared me,” I murmured.

I couldn’t see what lay beneath the bandages wrapped around his head, but traces of blood still stained his skin.

His eyes didn’t seem to completely focus when he looked at me. “Don’t go to the island without me.”

I wasn’t going to argue with him. I’d lie if that’s what he needed me to do. I squeezed his hand and nodded. “We’ll go when you’ve recovered.”

His eyelids fluttered then slid over his eyes, and he drifted into sleep. I stared down at him, a sudden surge of protectiveness swelling inside me. And not just protectiveness, but possessiveness.

The hunter was mine.

And he was okay with that.

Smiling, I made sure the phone was close enough for him to reach, checked his IV line, then poured him a glass of water just in case he woke up thirsty.

Finally, reluctantly, I left the room. I had a long night ahead of me. I hoped Shane wouldn’t do something stupid like try to follow me to the island when he realized I had gone.

The captain sat in the waiting room, drinking a cup of coffee, his eyes half closed. He didn’t seem to get a lot of sleep and I wasn’t sure if that was because he was always working, or because he was an insomniac. Likely, it was a little of both.

He stood when he spotted me, stopped to toss the coffee into the garbage, then walked with me from the room. “How is the hunter?”

“He’ll survive.” I pulled my phone from my pocket and called Rhys. “Clayton doing okay?” I asked when he answered.

“The doctor patched him up.” He hesitated.

“Shit,” I muttered. “What is it, Rhys?”

“Clayton isn’t uninjured. He’s in rough shape.”

“I’m aware of that.” I strode with Frank from the building, relaxing a little as soon as we were outside. I grabbed a lungful of the fresh, fragrant air. I didn’t do well in hospitals.

“Miriam is aware of that, as well,” Rhys said, something dark in his voice. “And to her, his injuries are just another way to make him suffer.”

The captain didn’t try to pretend he wasn’t listening. He peered at me when I stopped walking, his eyes narrowing. “What is it?”

“I’ve had it.” My voice was calm but my insides were shaking. “No more.”

“I didn’t want to lay this on you, Trinity,” Rhys said. “But you’re the only one with a chance at stopping her. And Clayton…”

“Clayton has suffered enough.”

“Yes. He has.”

I turned to Frank Crawford. “Can you give me a lift to Bay Town?”

“I told you I’d lend you a car. Let’s go get it.”