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“Okay. Good enough for now.”
The agent left as the nurse came in to bring Mallory medicine, her dinner, and untether her from the IV, removing the bag but not hooking up a new one.
“That’s all of that, we hope. We will take it out when we discharge you.”
The men moved over to the far corner of the room to discuss things. All conversation stopped when Mallory asked her something.
“When am I going to be released? I’m ready now.”
“I’ll ask your physician, Doctor Sasse. I guess you would know if you felt well enough to go home.”
“I’m a pharmacist, not a family practitioner, but if it helps me get out of here faster, by all means, I’m not too proud to use it.”
“When you are discharged, you’ll stay with me at Jac’s, then my place, until we are sure you’re safe. Deal?”
“Deal. Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me. I’m relieved I won’t have to sleep on your floor.”
“I have a spare room.”
“Your floor. The closer I am, the better protector I am.”
“What about in my bed?”
“Nope, because neither of us will sleep, and you need to heal.”
“Then I suggest you hurry because I feel like I’m still held captive, but differently, so I’m antsy to go. When they offer me the exit, I’m taking it. You all will just have to follow along if you aren’t ready.”
Monroe leaned closer. “You will go when we are certain of your safety, understood? Sorry, but you can’t discharge until we get the plan cinched in. It’s for your safety, which I won’t compromise on, and my peace of mind. Please, Mal?”
Monroe meant for her to hear him clearly and to know he would enforce any restrictions or penalties necessary to gain her compliance. She had interacted enough with him to be familiar with his different tones. Watching his girl process, he waited. She was intelligent, and it wouldn’t be a reach to find that he was right.
“Fine,” she huffed, “But hurry.”
Now wasn’t the time to tell her that topping from the bottom or taking control of a situation he had in hand was not a smart strategy for a submissive of any type, especially his girl. That was a later lesson he would be happy to instruct on. For now, he nodded.
“Thank you, baby. I will.”
He repressed a grin and dropped another kiss on her cracked lips. He reached and grabbed her lip balm and gave it to her, knowing hers had to hurt. Hell, everything had to hurt. And his anger began to bubble again. Time to get things moving.
***
Mallory loved and hated what his gravelly “I’m in charge” voice sounded like and what it did to her insides. Still, after all this trauma, it had the same effect on her reactions and responses, and what was worse, Monroe knew it. Damn him. And bless him. For now, she needed to drop the reins, let someone else lead her parade. Knowing he would keep her safe, well, that was priceless.
That she needed that security blanket he was offering her was disheartening. Mallory had run her own life for almost two decades and while she knew being vulnerable was to be expected under the circumstances, she hated it. It had become a source of pride that she had done all the monumental things in her world alone, but she also lived a stark, lonely life. Kind of like that saying, you can be lonely in a crowd of people. That was Mallory.
All the self-talk in the world would not stop her from being sad and rankled at the predicament she was in. Nor was it going to stop the longing she had deep inside her that wanted Monroe. Daily phone calls and a few meetups in a group were all that she and Monroe had spent together, but those times had added up to hours of learning about each other.
They were going to go on a date before all of this, and his conversation and mannerisms said he still wanted her but did her situation now cause him to see her as a job? Did he separate himself from his work, and the growing relationship ended? She wanted him, and he had wanted her before this happened. Depressive thoughts returned, and her fear made itself known again. Mallory wanted to cry.
No, don’t be stupid. Monroe has treated you as his since he walked into the room. I didn’t make that, and I won’t give up without making my thoughts known. He told people I was his girlfriend. That was something I had no trouble accepting, so act like it.
“Mal, I have some things to get ready for your discharge, so Carter is going to stay with you, okay? You should rest, and I’ll be back before you notice I’m gone.”
Panic rose in her chest. “What? You’re leaving? I… I can’t… I mean…” Mallory took a deep breath and let it out. Yoga and quiet meditation always helped when she was stressed. However, this was more anxiety than she had felt before because her abject fear encased it.
“Mal? Baby, I promise Carter will protect you with his life. No one will get past him.”
