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“I’m healing. I’m hungry.”
“Obviously.” He stalks closer, nabs a slice of ham and cheese, rolls it up and hands it to me. “You’ve either got the metabolism of an elite athlete, a tapeworm, you’re eating your feelings, or...”
God, don’t say it.
“Pregnant.”
He said it.A wash of dizziness has the room spinning and my ears ringing.
“Whoa.” Rowdy grips my hips. “Breathe, Frankie.” He places me in a kitchen chair, gently forcing my head down. “Just breathe.”
I breathe in through my nose, out my mouth until I feel better. By the time I sit up, my ribs protesting each and every movement, he has my glass of water in my face, and he’s sitting in a chair in front of me, knee to knee. “So, pregnant, huh?”
His face distorts as my eyes well with tears, and my trembling chin is a sure sign I’m about to lose it.
“Ah, hell. Don’t cry, darlin’.”
I find myself on the couch, at his side, my face buried in his chest as he holds me. “It’ll be okay, Frankie,” he assures me more than once, and each time I cry a little harder.
A knock at the door has him cussing as he extricates himself from me and the couch. “Don’t move.” He reaches to the end table and hands me a box of tissues before heading to the door.
“Where is she?” Lili’s voice reaches me seconds before she stomps to a stop at the edge of the living room. “Oh, God.” Her face crumples as she takes me in. She hasn’t seen me since my fall. I’m still pretty beat up, but my eyes are barely swollen—well, except for the crying—and the bruising has lightened considerably. But from her perspective, I didn’t have black eyes the last time she saw me. My busted lip has healed, and the staples in my scalp are hidden beneath my hair, and the rest of my body—healing ribs and contusions—are hidden from sight as well.
“I’m okay,” I assure her, holding up my hand when she charges, getting ready to hug me.
“She’s got broken ribs.” Rowdy grips her arm to slow her forward motion.
“Oh.” She stops, then sits ever so slowly next to me. Her worried eyes spot my tears. “You’re upset.”
“Was,” I sniff.
“Can I give you a little hug if I’m really careful and don’t squeeze?”
“Yeah,” I exhale on a new wave of tears. I’ve missed her. I’ve forgotten what it’s like to be so seen by Lili.
“I’ve missed seeing your face,” she whispers into my cheek. Her hug is gentle like she promised.
“Me too.” I glance at Rowdy once she releases me. “Liliana, this is Cameron Jenkins. He’s one of Cap’s new fighters.”
She stands to shake his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Cameron. You can call me Lili.”
“Likewise, ma’am. You can call me Rowdy.”
Smiling, she reclaims her seat next to me. Rowdy sits on the adjacent couch. “Welcome to Lyndale, Rowdy. Where are you staying?”
“Thank you, I’m happy to be here.” His eyes stay locked on her. “I’m staying here.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “Here?” She looks between us. “As in, here with Frankie?”
“Yes.” Rowdy replies as I say, “No.”
“Yes, I’m living here with Frankie in Gabriel’s home,” he reiterates.
Protective alpha males, what am I to do with them?
“You know Gabriel?” Lili asks, still eyeing the two of us.
“I met him at Cap’s Vegas gym but got to know him while Frankie was in the hospital.”
