AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I love you,” she whispers against my lips.
Charlie holds her breath for a beat before I speak.
“I love you, too.”
Her lips find mine again, but she keeps the kiss gentle. If I wasn’t laid up in this hospital bed, barely able to move, I would have her spread out while I made her come over and over again, telling me she loves me with every breath. I’ll have to settle for her as close as I can get her.
“Come lie next to me.” I want to feel all of her pressed against me. After almost losing her to that fuckwit, there’s nothing I want more than to feel her body against mine.
“Linc, I don’t think I’m allowed to.”
“I don’t give a fuck about hospital rules, sweetheart. I need you closer.”
Charlie huffs and nervously looks at the door like Nurse Ratched is going to come in and yell at her for disturbing the patient.
Let them try.
She slips off her shoes and gingerly sits on the edge before turning toward me on her side.
“There, happy?”
I lean in for another kiss because there’s no way in hell I’ll ever get enough of her lips.
“Happiest man alive.” I take a deep breath and thank whatever gods are in the universe that I have this woman next to me.
“I should find your mom and Trick. The rest of your brothers are here, too.”
“Where is here, exactly?” It dawns on me I don’t even know what hospital I’m at. The second I woke up and saw Charlie next to me, nothing else mattered.
“Not too far from the cabin. Jude was able to call Liam and get an ambulance to you.”
The mention of Jude brings back the memory of the gunshots I heard before I passed out.
“Are he and Lucy good?”
“They’re completely fine,” Charlie reassures. “They were able to take cover before the guys Jace had with him got too close. When Jace took off with me, the guys went with him.”
“Did she say what they looked like?” I’d really like to know who helped him.
“It wasn’t the Italians,” Charlie confirms, already sensing where my thoughts were headed. “She said they looked like run-of-the-mill thugs for hire. Not the same guys as Texas, but no one connected to the Italians.”
“Some people would call us run-of-the-mill thugs,” I muse, shooting her a wink.
Charlie leans up to kiss me. “Your anything but run of the mill,” she says after she breaks the kiss.
My mom walks in the room, startling Charlie. Like a kid who’s worried they’ve been busted, she tries to scramble off the bed.
“No honey, you stay right where you are,” my mom tells her. “How are you feeling, son?”
“Just peachy,” I reply dryly.
My mom doesn’t blink an eye at my tone.
“I’m going to go get the nurse and let her know you’re awake.” She walks over and leans down, kissing my forehead. “Could you please not get shot again?”
“I’ll do my best.” I want to laugh at her request, but I know the movement will be as painful as it was the first time.
Giving Charlie a soft smile, she leaves the room.
