“Shit. Okay, yeah, I’ll call Case and maybe Bronx, too, just to be safe,” he mutters and I wince at the suggestion.
Nate “Bronx” Chapman is one of the meanest assholes I’ve ever met or served with, and having him here to break a few heads is like pouring gas on a campfire, but he gets the job done, as messy as it is sometimes, so I’ll take what I can get.
“Make the call and ask Miah to come on back here. I want some protection when the ambulance gets here.”
No way will I transport my girl without more eyes on the scene.
“Sure. I’ll come, too. Say, how’s our sis doing?” he asks and I hear a rustle as Trace bounces to him and snatches the phone after a scuffle and some male groaning.
“Is she okay? Jace wouldn’t let me come to the hospital and I am so worried and I feel crappy because Ellie got to see her first and—”
“She’s okay, Trace,” I cut in, grinning when I hear another gasp and Jace’s soft curses. “She woke up and she’s doing just fine. She looks like hell but that’s nothing some rest and a few of those military-grade drugs Miah has stashed at home won’t fix.”
The stuff in question is high grade and will get Cupcake healed in no time, and thanks to the nurse and my money, things should be on track by tonight, at the latest.
I need Paulie healed quickly, because I fully intend to marry that woman before the week is out.
“Oh! I’ll get a room ready right next to mine and we can have slumber parties—”
I end the call with a wince, knowing I’ll catch a mouthful for it when she gets to me, but not caring one wit. If another person tries to take my girl from me, I won’t be responsible for the things I say.
Chapter Four
Paulette
The feel of air hitting my face and the gentle sway beneath me wake me just as I’m being pulled out of what looks to be an ambulance. I hear voices as my eye closes again and feel gentle lips kiss my cheek as I struggle and fail to stay awake.
I’m in that weird place between sleep and wakefulness and I feel nothing but peace and calm as the hushed voices get louder and a jumble of hands touch my own.
If this is some kind of dream, I never want to wake up, I think as I enjoy the gentle caresses and softy spoken welcomes.
“Back up, guys.”
I hear Jared snarling and the soft chuckles of his brothers as the swaying gets worse and my head starts spinning.
“She looks horrible!”
“Christ, would you keep your voice down, Trace? She doesn’t need this right now.”
I hear it all and almost laugh when a male voice reaches me and I hear what must be Jace muttering threats that sound like they’re directed at Jared.
It all feels wonderful, something I’m trying to feel guilty about when I hear a door open and feel arms under my body before I’m lifted slowly and deposited on a bed so cool and soft, I manage a blissful moan past my cracked lips.
“Shh, Cupcake.”
The hospital was great, don’t get me wrong, but wherever I am is air conditioned, peaceful, and perfect as far as I’m concerned. It feels like I’m on a freaking cloud, the mattress is so soft, and the feel of expensive sheets just adds to the luxury.
And then I get the scent and I know exactly where I am. Jared’s bed. A place I’ve longed to be for so long; I swear it feels like I was born wanting Jared Lane.
The smell is so strong and perfect that I feel my nipples bead beneath my gown as my tummy dips with arousal.
It shouldn’t even be possible to feel anything like this with the injuries I have, and yet when I feel him lean over me and place a tender kiss to my unresponsive lips, all I want at that moment is the ability to wake and pull him closer.
If he’s being nice out of pity or whatever the heck it is he feels, I’ll take it and live with the shame another day. I want him, just once before he realizes that I’m not good enough and leaves me to the Patriots.
Just long enough to know what love feels like before I have to do what needs doing, no matter how great the danger.
When he pulls away I groan inwardly and curse whatever drugs are keeping me under.
“The nurse is here and I want her to give Paulie some of that stuff you smuggled off base.”
Stuff? What stuff, I think, panicking a little before I realize he’d never do anything to hurt me no matter how angry he is at me right now.
“Yeah, okay, man, just let me go get it.”
That’s Miah, I know it is, and I want to smile at the soft way he squeezes my hand before I feel Jared’s hand envelop mine and the slow drag of his soft lips over the back of my fingers.
“You’re safe now, Cupcake. I swear, nothing will touch you ever again,” he whispers, bringing tears to my eyes.