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“I thought I lost you,” she whispers as she feeds me the first piece.

“Never. You’re stuck with me from now on. Forever.”

“I love you, Ice.” She wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me wildly. This time, I don’t push her away. She smells like heaven. When she finally stops to take a breath, she adds, “ “Not because you saved me. Because you’re you. Fierce, loyal, impossible not to love. Vapor told me that you got the women and children out.”

“We got them all, Bella. They’re safe. And so are you. That’s all that matters. I love you. You’re the strongest, bravest woman I’ve ever known. And that’s saying a lot. I hope you know, you’re mine now.”

“Yes. And you’re mine.” She smiles through her tears and hugs me again.

“Fuck!” I grimace as a fresh wave of agony stabs through my leg.

“I’ll get the nurse. They’re so stingy with the pain meds. I know there’s all these drug addicts and shit, but seriously, a cottonmouth bit you. Maybe it’s okay to give you some fucking drugs.” She stomps out of the room a second later, leaving me with my jaw hanging open. She’s sure as hell learned a few things from being around me. It’s sexy as hell to see her get so fired up. She’s going to make a great wife.

I freeze. Shit. A wife?

“Fuckin’ A.” I grin.

“What?” she asks, returning with the same nurse from earlier. “She’s got something to make you feel better. Also, she got Fang’s number.”

“No shit?” And here I was, thinking Fang didn’t date.

“He’s super cute.” The nurse blushes as she injects something into the IV. It only takes a few seconds for the pain to subside. “If you’re still feeling okay in an hour, I’ll bring you some Jell-O.”

“Cherry?”

“Unfortunately, we only have the clear options. Lemon, lime, or orange.”

“Orange,” I say, wishing it was my woman I was contemplating eating instead of jiggly kid food.

“No problem. Back in a bit.”

“I’m going to tell the guys what’s going on. Close your eyes for a bit and I’ll be right back.” Isabella kisses my cheek before leaving.

She comes back with Vapor in tow. “Nurse said only one visitor at a time. I’m going to the cafeteria to grab a bite with Fang and the others.”

“Okay.” As soon as she’s gone, I fix my gaze on Vapor. “Did you get Juan?”

“Didn’t find his body.”

“How the fuck did he get away?” I demand.

“When you went down, we lost him in the swamp. Can’t see shit at night. Went back this morning to search but couldn’t find shit.” Vapor looks as furious as I feel.

“I shot him in the kneecap. He couldn’t have gone far.”

“Had the same thought. Probably became gator food.”

“Most likely. If he didn’t have help, there’s no way he could have walked out of that place. We were miles from the nearest road.”

“I consider him as good as dead. Still wish we had a body though.”

“Me too.”

“You doing okay? Isabella said you might get out of here tomorrow.”

“That’s what the doc said.”

“Nice. Get better, man.” Vapor heads toward the door. “I’ll let everyone know you win this year’s club patch for dumbest injury.”