Page 27 of Blood in the Water

Bandages wrapped across my middle, covering my torso and chest, then across my right shoulder. My entire body was fucking sore, like I had been sparring with Max for an entire day straight and got my ass handed to me. He was the only person on the planet who could get the drop on me, and with his agility, he usually got in quite a few hits before I could disengage.

In the next instant, everything came rushing back in a gut punch that felt like I got shot all over again.

Gunfight. Missed plane. Leona putting pressure on my wounds. An explosion.

Fuck.

“Where’s Leona?” I tried to say, but all that came out was a strangled groan. My mouth was so dry. I could barely move. Something,someone,was lying beside me.

Another little puff of hot air brushed my cheek.

“Leona,” I whispered, eyes wide.

She was tucked into the bed beside me, her arm wrapped around mine and her face just inches away. Her bright red hair was mussed in that way that always happened when she overslept her alarm. Her eyebrows pinched together, like she was upset about something, and her face was much paler than usual. There were three healing cuts on her cheeks. I caught a glimpse of that damn necklace still hiding inside her shirt.

For a moment, I just stared. I just relished the feeling of her closeness. Was this a dream? Or was she snuggled up beside me?

“Leona,” I whispered again, trying to clear my throat and wet my lips. Damn it, I sounded like a croaking frog.

A machine by the bedside beeped faster and louder, and she blinked rapidly before sitting straight up in a whoosh.

“Cas?” she whispered, hand clenching my wrist. “You’re awake?”

A bright red mark splotched her cheek where her face had been resting on my arm, and a little drool had escaped her lip, but her eyes were shining more brightly than I’d seen them in days. God, how did she always look so beautiful?

“Hey, princess.” I tried to sit up, but her arms planted on my shoulders and held me down. Instantly, flashes of her on top of my hips, grinding down on me, filled my mind, but I immediately squashed them.Not the time.Not helping at all. I just got shot and I’m in a fucking hospital bed.

“Oh my God,” she said as she slammed into me, enveloping me in a huge hug. Her weight put pressure directly on my bandages, but I bit back a pained groan because there was no way in hell I was going to ruin this hug. I hadn’t even processedthat she was sleeping next to me yet, but that idea would fuel my jerk-off sessions for months.

“How are you feeling? Are you alright? You’re awake! What can I get you? Do you need anything?” Her hands fluttered around me, tickling the bare skin all over my torso.

“Water,” I said, licking my lips. “I’m fine, but can I have some water?”

She nodded before scrambling off the bed and filling a cup from the water cooler. “Here. Sips only.”

“Thanks,” I croaked before the water coated my tongue and throat. “Where are we? This can’t be a real hospital.”

She shook her head. “No, we’re at an Irish safe house. Colin brought us to their doctor.”

“How long have I been out?”

“Three days.”

If I was still drinking water, I would have spit it out. I ripped the covers off the bed to stand. “Three days?! We have to get out of here. The longer we stay in one place, the greater the chances Max will find us.”

“Wait, Cas.” She grabbed my hands and forced me back into the bed. “We’re safe for now. I know we’ve been here too long, but I couldn’t move you. Not when you were on the edge of death.”

I looked down at where she still held on to me. She had been alone for three days. Dark circles hung under her eyes, and she still wore the same clothes she got from Goodwill before we headed to the plane. “You’ve been here the whole time? Are you okay?”

She nodded, bringing one hand up to cup my cheek. The touch electrified my entire body. On instinct, my body leaned into her touch. “I’m fine. I’m just glad that you’re safe.”

My words stuck in my throat. I yanked her into my arms and squeezed her to my chest, ignoring the tenderness of myhealing wounds. She had been alone, watching me straddle life and death for three fucking days.

Then, I wake up with her snuggled against my side? Followed shortly by her holding my hands and touching my cheek? How the fuck was I not supposed to fall even deeper in love with her?

She wrapped her arms around my neck and squeezed back just as firmly. My dick twitched in my pants, and I had to take three deep breaths to keep myself from a raging hard-on.

“Cas, I almost lost you,” she murmured into my neck, sending chills down my spine. If I just turned my face a little, I could brush my lips against hers. She was so close. “I was so scared. I can’t do this without you.”