Billionaire Bachelors 6 ; Runaway Heiress(32)

He tried to rid himself of those thoughts. It wasn't helping his situation, and really not helping the pain in his lower body. He shifted as he stood awkwardly next to George. He really needed to get her alone  –  and in a bed.

"We'll be right outside, then," George answered with a smile before stepping back out the door.

"I don't think it gets more embarrassing than that," Bree said with a small laugh.

"It could have if he'd been two minutes later," Chad said. He laughed as he saw the horror dawn on her face. Then he stepped through the doors and leaned his head against the cool metal. He couldn't seem to keep it together around her. He was beginning to think that wasn't such a bad thing.

Chapter Nine

"I don't like it," Trenton said with his arms folded across his chest. It seemed everyone was against him on the matter, though.

"I think it's safest. The doctor said she shouldn't be forced into anything, plus this way Chad can still keep a watch on her," George argued.

"He doesn't seem to be doing such a great job," he snapped, instantly regretted his words because he knew Chad was eating himself up about Bree getting hurt. It wasn't Chad's fault Bree had been shot. "I'm sorry. That was uncalled for," he quickly added.

"I understand," Chad replied. He would've gladly taken that bullet, but they couldn't dwell on it. They had no choice but to move forward, and at that moment they were discussing where Bree was going after her hospital release.

"Look, she's comfortable around me. I can look after her and my baby. Mark is only a couple miles away and you can camp in my back yard if you want," Chad said. He wanted Bree with him and wasn't compromising on the subject.

"It's not like he can get her any more pregnant," Mark added with a chuckle. Trenton shot daggers at his cousin.

"Like you're a monk," Alex added. Trenton felt they were teaming up against him. He didn't like it one bit.

"We're not discussing me," Trenton said, but he knew they were right. His sister wasn't a teenager anymore. He figured the protective feelings just never went away. He felt like Chad was taking advantage of the situation.

"Listen, I understand how you feel. But you have to realize at some point that Bree is an adult and she wasn't hurt when she made the decision to sleep with me. She's carrying my child. That means something to me. I plan on marrying her." 

"Besides, her memory will come back, and if she's at home when it happens, there's going to be hell to pay. She'll accuse us of taking advantage of the situation, then we could lose her permanently. I think she needs to stay with Chad for now. He'll keep her safe," Austin jumped in.

Trenton reluctantly nodded his head but it was obvious he wasn't happy about the situation.

"Now that we got that settled, we should stop fighting before Bree turns the corner and wonders what it's all about. It wouldn't do her recovery any good to know she's got a stalker," George reminded them.

Within a few minutes, Bree joined them in the waiting area. She had a tentative smile on her face as she glanced toward the door, obviously wanting to exit the hospital before the doctor changed his mind and told her she couldn't leave.

"Let's get out of here, shall we?" Chad said, placing his arm around her back. She looked a bit lost, but was more than happy to follow him from the sterile room.

"We haven't discussed where I'm going. I don't even know where I live," Bree said, starting to feel her first stirrings of panic. It was disorienting to not know anything about her life.

"We're going home," Chad simply answered.

"Do we live together?"

"Yes," he answered somewhat truthfully. He had been staying with her so it wasn't exactly a lie. He had a feeling it was going to come back and bite him later, but he'd deal with that then.

"Okay," she said, seeming unsure, but putting her trust in him, anyway.

"We'll meet you at the ranch," George said before giving Bree a quick hug.

"Don't you think you all should wait a day or two before overwhelming her?" Chad asked. His question was ignored as everyone headed for their vehicles. They already had a welcome home party planned, and whether Bree was ready or not, she was about to be inundated with family.

Chad helped Bree into his truck, then went around and climbed into the driver's seat. He turned the radio to a country station and quietly started navigating the vehicle, letting her get used to the idea of finally being free from what she considered a prison.

"How far away is the house?"

"It's about a half hour from the hospital."

"Do I like living in the country?"

"I just bought this property. Before you went into the hospital, we were staying in a small house on the outskirts of town. I think you'll really enjoy the ranch, though. We have horses, cows, chickens, goats, and a few other creatures running around," he answered, his voice filled with excitement.