Broken Bear(11)

Phoenix scanned through his plan one last time. Hunter and Jett would help him, no questions asked. They went back a long way, and would be there for him no matter what. He just needed to get to a phone. He was still too far from home, and there was no time to waste.

Shifting back to his human body, Phoenix realized he’d need street clothes. Crap, too many stupid little things to deal with. All he wanted to do was hunt his prey and take him down. Without money on him, he was forced to make the trip back to his home, somewhere he didn’t want to go. He’d move faster as a bear, but be less obvious as a man. Phoenix shook his head. Time was of the essence. He knew it wasn’t smart, but he needed to move quickly. After debating it for what felt like too long, he shifted back to his bear form and shot out of the woods. He’d need to stay on the edges of town and follow a path that didn’t draw light or attention on him. At least he had the safety of the night.

Phoenix was exhausted when he made it home, but there was no time to spare. He woke Hunter with a call, late in the night. He was in desperate need of help. He gave him what information he could, and asked Hunter and Jett to personally handle this situation. There was nobody else he trusted as much with Lily’s safety. Hunter owned a top notch bodyguard service, one that Phoenix worked with for a stretch, so he knew what they were capable of, but Lily was his angel, and that meant he needed to call in a personal favor. Hunter and Jett were the best of the best.





Chapter 16 Lily





When Hunter and Jett showed up to Lily’s room, she panicked, not knowing who they were. Hunter tried to pull out his badge and identification, but she’d already reached for the call button.

“Phoenix Monroe sent us,” he shot out, hoping to stop the train from crashing too fast. “We’re here to help.”

“Phoenix?” She dropped the call button, but she’d already pushed it.

A nurse came in. “Do you need help? Are these men bothering you?”

“No. I’m sorry, I hit it by mistake. I’m so sorry. I must have sat on it.” She apologized and waited for the nurse to leave. The nurse eyed the men, letting them know she was watching them. As she left the room, she asked an attendant to stand outside the room.

“We’re body guards,” Hunter started. “We’re here to protect you. Phoenix contacted us late last night.” He reached forward to offer his hand, but Lily stared at it. It looked like a massive paw, his fingers huge and powerful. His hands looked like they could crush hers without any effort. Hunter continued. “Jett will be outside of your room at all times. I’ll be here until I’m given the all clear. I only answer to Phoenix, nobody else, not even you. Nobody will hurt you. You’re under our protection. All you need to know is that you’re safe. I’ll work out the arrangements with the hospital.”

Lily wasn’t sure what to make of it all. “Where did he go?” She was desperate to hear any news on Phoenix. He was all she could think of.

“I’m sorry, I can’t say anymore. He just wants you to know that you can rest easy. You’re safe. Nobody can hurt you now.” Hunter sat in the corner chair, and Jett took his position at the door. He spoke with the attendant and then the nurse, informing them that they were private body guards here for her safety after a domestic abuse incident. They were hired to keep her safe. They wouldn’t leave until they were given instructions to do so.

It was amazing. Phoenix was protecting her. Even when he left the hospital, he wanted to watch over her. He cared about her as much as she cared about him. It was unspoken, but it was real. He would take care of her, she had no doubt. She just wished he’d come back. She worried about him and what he might do.

Lily looked at Hunter and knew he could handle whatever came his way. He assured her they were more than capable of handling anything or anybody, and that she could rest easy. Lily thanked them, but she wouldn’t rest easy until she knew Phoenix was back by her side.





Chapter 17 Phoenix





He didn’t have much to go on, but based on the stories he found in the news, it sounded like the asshole survived his fall. Just barely, but he was alive. He wouldn’t be for long. He would see to it. He pulled the man’s full name from the paper and started the search at local hospitals. It didn’t take long to find the man. There weren’t many places around. He was at the very trauma center where he met Lily.

He had to be careful. Some of the people that worked there might recognize him. He didn’t know if they’d remember, but someone of his size and presence, and someone that spent time in their safe room...yeah, they might vaguely remember.