“Okay, I’m . . . okay.”
I look around the room and notice that it isn’t just Dee, Beck, and Greg Axel was speaking to. Maddox and Coop are standing off to the side, faces set in stone. When I meet Axel’s eyes, they are bright and full of compassion.
“Hey, Princess.” That’s all it takes for me to join Dee in a fit of hysterical crying.
The nurses come in shortly after and start checking all the machines, poking around my body, changing the dressing on my head, and applying some ointment to my right eye. A doctor who looks like he is well past time for retirement comes in next and attempts to clear the room to discuss my injuries, but Axel puts his foot down again and refuses to budge. The fight would be futile, so I just shake my head and wait for the doctor to go over everything.
“Ms. West,” he begins, looking over at Axel with worry. He must assume that he is the reason for my injuries. “How are you feeling?”
Even though I know it’s going to hurt like a bitch, I can’t hold back the laugh that bubbles up.
“Like I was hit by a truck, thrown a few feet, then run over by a bus.”
“Well. This is no joking matter, Ms. West. I understand that you had an altercation late yesterday evening?” Did he just say yesterday?
“Um . . . yes. Yes, sir. My ex-husband.”
“Right. I’m going to let you go home later this afternoon. I was assured by your roommate, Ms. Roberts, that you will be monitored and she will return you to the emergency room with any signs of concern. She has the list of what to watch out for. You need to keep your head dry for the next forty-eight hours. After washing your hair, dry as best as you can. Your back needs ointment applied every six hours. Keep the open wounds covered and watch for signs of infection. I’ve given her all the prescriptions for your home care. Antibiotics, as well as some pain medication. Do you have any questions?” Obviously Grandpa doesn’t specialize in bedside cheer.
“No, sir.”
“Ms. Roberts has already signed all of your discharge paperwork. Try to be more careful in the future, Ms. West.” That earns a low growl from Axel. I squeeze his hand to make sure he keeps his mouth shut.
Five hours later, I am being wheeled out to the entrance and loaded up into Axel’s monster truck. Dee has already left with Beck and Greg to go get my medication filled. Maddox and Coop climb into the back and we head off, away from the disgusting smell of death.
A few minutes down the road, I realize we aren’t headed in the right direction of my house. “Axel, where are you going?” I roll my head to the side with the help of the backrest and look over at him with my one good eye.
“My house,” he replies as calm as can be.
“I don’t want to fight with you, Ax. Please take me home. Dee can take care of me just fine.”
“Not taking you back there, Princess. Not until I know that fucker is no threat.”
“Take me home, Ax. Please. Just take me home.” Tears start to prickle against my lids. If I had the energy, I would probably be throwing my attitude all over the cab of his truck.
“No.” That’s all I get in return.
“Axel. Take me home. Now.”
“Izzy, get me now, that motherfucker walked up to your door. Walked right up. There were three trucks in the driveway, not to mention Maddox’s bike right up against the walkway. He walked right up to your door like there wasn’t a problem in his life, attacked you right under our noses.” He is gripping the steering wheel so tight I start to worry he might snap it right off. “I will not send you back into a house that he has no fear of strolling right up to and risk him put his hands on you again. No, not fucking happening.” He looks over at me and his eyes are blazing, his nostrils are flaring, and I can see the blood pounding through his veins. He looks like a rabid beast. “Never again will I allow you to be harmed when I can do something about it, so pitch your fit another time.”
“Please . . .”
That earns me another harsh snap of his neck and death glare. “NO!” he booms.
I sigh deeply. “Maddox?”
“Yeah, girl?” His grumbled response comes from behind me.
“Take me with you, please?”
He pauses for a second and I can feel the vibes coming off Axel go from pissed to nuclear. “Yeah, girl.”
“Thanks, Mad.”
“Fuck!” Axel bites out, slamming his fist against the wheel. “We will have words later, Locke.”
Other than Coop’s soft laughter, the rest of the ride back to Axel’s is passed in tense silence.
CHAPTER 13
I’ve been at Maddox’s apartment for two days now. When we first got here, he set me up in the guest room and spent the night watching stupid reality TV with me. He helps me keep my wounds clean and dressed and makes sure I take my medication when needed. Surprisingly, he is a great nurse. What I hadn’t expected was the late-night screaming waking me up from his room. I know he has demons, but I didn’t realize they were this bad. It was almost like we have an unspoken pact not to speak of his late-night terror.