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A frown creases my forehead. “I told you that I didn’t marry you for revenge.”
“I know, and I believe you, Mikael. You’ve proven that to me. But would you tell me why you and Edward are fighting?”
“Is that what we are doing?” I stare at her smaller palm laid over the back of my much larger one. Is she trying to protect me or shield herself? I flip my hand over and fold her fingers in my grip. I’m the protector here.
“I’m not sure what to call it. If not fighting, then what?”
“He tried to kidnap you again. I think fighting is a tame word.” I don’t want to tell her I’m going to end him. When she sleeps next to me at night, she should have dreams of sweetness rather than blood. “Before we just wanted justice, but now…” I pause, thinking of how she could’ve been hurt or worse. “I suppose it is still justice. In the world Edward lives in, the only thing he understands is force.
“My cousin, Bethany, ran every morning at five. She worked a stressful job as a trader, and she said it cleared her mind and prepared her for work. She used to run in the evenings, but her mother, my Aunt Jo, fought with Bethany over this.” It is one of the things that haunts my aunt. She blames herself. “Aunt Jo felt that the night runs were unsafe. That someone could hurt her.”
Aurora catches on right away. “So she changed her running schedule to the morning and still got hurt.”
“Yes. It was a week after they fought, and Bethany decided to give in. She was out in the early morning. One of Edward’s men was drunk and coming home from a party. He either did not see Bethany or was too intoxicated to notice. Either way, he struck her with his car.”
“Did he not get arrested?”
“The man drove away, and the police only half-heartedly investigated the matter because many are on Edward’s payroll, as you saw the other day.”
My wife makes an unhappy face.
“Jones was not the chief at the time. I sponsored him to replace Edward’s man. At first, I was willing to allow the legitimate avenues to take care of this matter, but no more. It’s not safe for anyone.” Red will have to unroll the plastic I had him pack away.
“I’m sorry,” she says in a quiet voice.
My eyes snap to her face. There’s guilt in her eyes. “Why?”
“Because I brought more Edward shit to your door.”
“Edward was already at my door, maybe even inside the house, before you came along.” I kiss her softly to punctuate the sentence. “We’re going to get you discharged and then take you home. No arguments.”
“I’m not going to argue. I want to go home.” She starts to push away from the bed.
“Not yet. Wait for the doctor.” I want to hear the official diagnosis first and be assured there’s no hidden closed-head injury. “Where are all your shopping bags?”
The room is almost empty, and from the credit card alerts, it seemed like she had bought out the store.
“Ugh.” She slaps a hand on her forehead and falls back against the pillows.
I rush over. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Don’t call the nurse! I just…God, this is embarrassing now.”
“Do you need to use the restroom? There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Let me help you.”
“No. Remember I had a surprise for you?”
“Yes.” But I had pushed the thoughts of her sexy lingerie and even sexier body to the back of my mind. “Tell me.”
“It’s more of a show thing than a tell thing. When we get home, I’ll share.” There’s a devilish glint in her eye.
15
AURORA
My boldness fades in the bedroom. What was cute and fun at the hospital and at the mall seems awkward and silly as I step away from the bedroom. I haven’t even taken off my clothes, and I'm feeling exposed.
“What’s wrong?” he queries as he places his jacket over the back of one of the chairs in front of the fireplace.
This man is so attuned to my moods it’s almost as if he’s inside my head, which is both scary and reassuring.
“I may have oversold my surprise,” I confess.
By a lot. I know he’s never talked about women in the past, but he’s rich and gorgeous, so he must have had a whole harem. I don’t blame him for that, and I’m not worried he’s going to cheat on me. He’s got a strong sense of honor about him. Cheating would offend him, but before me? I don’t even want to know. I hold my breath and then spit it out. “Ishaveddowntherebutitsnobigdeal.”
He freezes mid-way through unbuttoning his shirt. A glassy-eyed expression slams down over his face, and I think he sways on his feet. I reach out to steady him, and he backs away.
