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He nods. “Yes, sir.” I don’t miss the little kick he gives him.
I pull out my phone and give Doc a call. “Please pick up,” I mutter to myself.
“I’m not giving you Tina’s information,” Doc grumbles.
“I don’t need it. I’m bringing her to you. She was just attacked in her apartment and needs help. Where the fuck are you?” I don’t have time to wait for him to get back to Steeleville, so I hope he’s not in Dallas.
“Shit. I was closing up the clinic. Come on in. Has Law been there?” he asked.
“We’re waiting for the cops to come now.”
“Better yet, I’ll come meet you and if we need to take her to the hospital, we’ll go. Wait for Law.” I suppose that would be the smarter thing to do since we do need to speak to the cops and she’s not in immediate danger.
“Fine.” I end the call.
“How are you feeling, baby girl?” I question, brushing her hair away from her face. The nasty cut on her head needs to be tended to before it gets infected.
“Like a fool,” she says through her tears. I hold Tina gently, trying to comfort her without scaring her.
“You’re not a fool.”
“Yes, I am. I should have known better, but…”
I press my hand to her lips, then drop it and say, “Don’t do this to yourself. Trust me when I say I understand why you don’t want me and why you went for the safer option.”
She shakes her head. “But I do want you…I’m just scared.”
Taking her hand and lacing our fingers together, I stare into those caramel eyes. “Don’t be scared of me. You’re my everything, Tina.”
“What happens if things don’t work out?” I suppose everyone has those fears. Hers have a little bit of extra rationale behind them, but I can only reassure her. Time is the key.
“They will work out because I’ve spent my life working hard for the things I’ve wanted, and I’ve wanted nothing more than you.”
“Then why did you walk away so easily when I said I had a date?” Damn, mistake number twenty.
I tell her the truth. “Would you have liked me to cause a scene in the clinic? Would you have me demand I kick his ass? I mean, I wanted to, and I sure just did, but your past has some demons that I only make worse.”
“You know?” she asks, stepping out of my light embrace. “Did Dr. Simmons tell you?”
“No, the cockblocker wouldn’t give me your information at all. Some ethics bullshit, so I called a friend. He did some digging and when I realized what happened, I get why you think I’m not worthy of your affection.”
She smiles, and I’m surprised because I sure as fuck thought she was going to smack me for spying on her, but then she caresses my cheek. “Mike, you’ve shown me you’re worth it. Still, I have my fears about a lot of it. I need time.”
“Look, we can take this slow, Tina. I promise you that I won’t push. I have a fight coming up, but I leave tomorrow for my brother’s wedding. Today, I asked you to go with me because I wanted you by my side and in my bed. Now, I’m asking because I’ll be worried about your safety.”
“But…”
“We’ll even have separate rooms,” I offer. Honestly, I don’t know how I’ll concentrate on anything without her by my side.
“I can’t. I’m working at the clinic, and they need the staff.”
“Honey, you need your rest. I’m sure Doc will agree with me when he sees you.”
“That’s right, young lady.” Doc comes in with his bag, followed by Law. I’ve only met him once, and he has two other deputies with him.
“Is this the piece of shit?” Law points to the asshole on the floor.
“Yes.”
