He chuckled and continued to work his magic on my feet. “I heard back a couple of days ago about my suspension and was cleared. I can go back to work anytime now.”
“Why are you at home then? You don’t need to be here. You hired a live-in nurse to help take care of me.” I raised my brow. “Which I might add is a waste of money as you do everything and she barely does a thing. Emma has the breeziest job ever. Case in point.” I tilted my head towards his hands.
He chuckled again and I loved it. I had to admit his deep baritone as he chuckled and when he laughed was my favorite sound in the universe. “I’m home because I don’t know if I want to go back. Do you want me to? I already put you in danger being a Silverman, and I put you in even more with the work I do. You got kidnapped because of me.” I winced when he dug in real deep on my foot. “Fuck. I’m sorry vixen.” He let go of my feet as if they were on fire.
Wiggling closer to him I maneuvered so I laid my head against his chest and snuggled against him. “I’m not going to tell you to stop or leave your job. If it’s what you love to do then I support you one hundred percent. As for being unsafe, nothing is safe anymore. I mean being a Silverman isn’t safe because of your money and all the connections your family has and stuff, right?” I shrugged. “If being a cop, detective or whatever makes you happy then be it. I’m a big girl.” I narrowed my gaze on him. “I want X found and I want him to get what he deserves. I want his drugs off the streets and I want everyone to feel safer knowing he’s locked away.” I squeezed his hand that was hugging my stomach. “I know you will get the job done because you’re determined.”
I felt him relax and smile, happy because he liked my answer. “Shit’s hit the fan since I’ve been on suspension. That biker gang, you know the ones from the day we went to Wet’n’Wild, The Devil’s’ Queens, they’ve gotten involved now and are fighting any of X’s men, so every night it’s turning into a blood bath.”
I turned and inched back so I could see his face. This was some shit. I knew The Devil’s Queens hated the Silvermans and with them fighting X, this was huge. I was surprised Ryder was at home with me and not out kicking arse and arresting people. I could see the worry lines around his eyes and his lips were thin, but it was his eyes that gave away how frustrated and angry he was at everything, I wanted to wrap my arms around him and hug him to me and help him feel better. “So why aren’t you at work?”
“I’m not going to risk leaving you and anything happening to you again. I’m staying and protecting you. You are more important to me than anyone else. You’re the only person I care about getting hurt.” His moan was deep and guttural and clearly a sound of pain. He stroked my cheek, his rough callused fingers adding to the sweet feel of his touch. “I don’t think you understand how much you mean to me. I know I explained the soul mate gypsies’ gift, but you have become more. With you I laugh, I have fun, I talk for hours, I can just be. I’ve never had that with anyone, not even my brothers. If I ever lost you I would go insane. I’m not even joking. When I found out what happened to you I nearly had a heart attack and when you made it to the hospital? I have never prayed and begged so much in my life. I don’t care if I never work in law enforcement again. You have become my whole world. You’re all that matters.”
Oh. My. God. I loved this man. I was so damn lucky. I beamed up at him, happier than I could ever remember being. “Thank you. You’re an amazing man and I’m so lucky to have you, but you don’t have to stop doing what you love doing because you want to keep me safe wrapped in a bubble. I can take care of myself. I got kidnapped, sure, but I promise I’ve learned my lesson and know what the bodyguards are for and will make sure I have them with me at all times. Go back to work. Catch bad guys.” I kissed his lips and, being careful of all extra medical bandages and cast, straddled his lap. I gave up when I couldn’t bend my right leg thanks to the brace. “Argh. I hate this. I want to be closer to you. I want to feel your body against mine. Dammit I’m so horny, especially after those sweet words you gave me.
His groan of need at my words eased me some. It was nice to know I wasn’t the only one suffering.
I was back at work but working from home. I was still reluctant to leave Divinity. When she had some of the cast off, I’d told work I’d go in for a couple of hours, but it would still be a couple of weeks. Work wasn’t happy, but it was either that or I told them I’d retire. And they didn’t want me to retire. Not only because I was good at my job, but because they used my contacts and my name.