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The mattress slightly dips, and I feel her cold hands on my thigh and forearm. There are other places I’d rather she touch me, but even I know I’m too fucked up for that.
“Please let me take care of you. I’ll get you anything you need. Just stay in bed and rest.”
Her plea is genuine, and I don’t really have any other choice. No one despises me more than me in this moment. “How’s Baxter?”
She sighs. I guess she’s relieved I’m going to be her patient. “Really good. Dr. Crawford said he’s awake and already working.”
“Which is what I need to be doing. Get him and Dr. C in here so he can give me something for my head.”
Nothing. Just a shitty gaze I can still decipher in my fog the message she implies. “Sorry. I know you’re not my employee. Can you please tell them to come in here?”
The anger disintegrates from my apology, and she softens. Even grins, well aware this polite shit is hard for me.
“Yes, since you asked so nicely.”
“Mocking me earns punishment when I’m better.”
That threat steals her breath and her smirk. The blush is adorable.
She busies herself smoothing the blankets to my waist. All I want is to toss the covers off and yank her back into bed with me. Before I can act on my idea, she scurries out, leaving me hard and frustrated. At least my cock’s not incapacitated. If I’m going to be left miserable, then maybe I wish it was.
Nah.
Chelsea’s shriek hits the room before she does. I brace myself for the onslaught. I was right to be prepared.
She bursts in and throws herself on me. Thank fuck nothing’s broken. I pat her back while she yammers about her almost losing the only two men she’s ever loved. Except make that three for Pete. Then she’s on a tangent about him being my service dog and what color vest she should get him.
That’s all I can take and shove her from me as gently as I can. “Thank you. I’m fine. Addie’s going to take care of me so you go do whatever you do that makes you not be in here.”
She smiles her dreamy smile at me. “Now that’s love. Her taking care of you on your deathbed.”
Jesus. “I’m not dying Chels.”
“Of course you’re not with Addie here. Now I’m going to be Maxim’s nurse for him.”
I grab her wrist as she tries to hop up. “Don’t even think about it.”
My grip tightens when she claws at me.
“He needs me!”
A crash from the hallway shuts us both up. I point to the bathroom. “Get in there and hide.”
Always obedient when there’s the possibility of real danger, she hightails her ass off the side of the bed, soundlessly closing the door behind her. I’m weak but not dead and until I am, I’ll protect her and Addie with everything I’ve got.
Battling the nausea, I grab my weapon from the nightstand, aiming for the door ready to end an intruder and then find my girl. Until I hear Baxter’s voice bellowing from the corridor, swearing about something, while Jace bitches at him about coming in here.
Damn it. Tension seeps out of my weary bones as I return my Glock to the original spot.
Baxter limps in on crutches with his left foot wrapped tight. His face is beet red and sweat beads trickle down his temples.
“You okay boss?”
Compared to him, I am. “Yeah, I’m good.”
With my confirmation, the hulking guard plops down on an ottoman and catches his breath.
“Damn oxy doc gave me is fucking me up.”
