Page 28 of Blood in the Water

“Never, princess. I’m stuck with you for life,” I whispered back. She felt so fucking fragile. How had she not broken already? How could I have left her alone for three days? “What did we say? One breath at a time.”

She choked out a sound somewhere between a laugh and a sob. I held her even tighter. I wished I could tell her how I truly felt. How much I fucking loved her, with every piece of my heart. How I’d bring her Max’s head on a fucking pike if it would make her happy again. I wanted to run my hands up the bare skin of her ribs, make her gasp under my touch, and show her how much I loved her with my body plastered against hers.

But I couldn’t say the words. I couldn’t do it. She wasn’t ready, not so soon after everything fell apart. Instead, I brushed my lips against her hair and breathed in her scent.

A knock at the door had me instantly pulling away and pushing her behind me. Where the fuck were my guns?

“Everything alright in here?” A woman’s head popped in through the door, a smile on her face. “Looks like someone woke up.”

“It’s okay, Cas.” Leona squeezed my hand and walked around to stand in front of me. “This is Doctor Willow. She’s the one who saved your life.”

The doctor walked inside and softly shut the door behind her. “Technically, Leona was the one who saved your life. I’m just the doctor who did the transfusion and patched you up.”

My head snapped to Leona. “Blood transfusion?”

“Ehh, yeah,” she said sheepishly. “You just needed a little bit of blood.”

Fuck I was closer to death than I thought. No wonder she looked so worn thin.

“Thanks,” I said with a gulp. I wanted to thank her differently, but not around this stranger. Not when she could potentially use our relationship against us. “And thanks, Doctor. We’ll be out of your hair shortly.”

The Doctor smiled kindly. “You’re welcome, Caspian. Don’t worry, you can rest here as long as you need. As I’ve told Leona many times, you’re safe here.”

“Knock knock!” Colin said as he burst into the room. I had already grabbed Leona and pulled her back to me on instinct before I realized it was him. With a sigh, I released my grip on her arm but didn’t let go of her hand. I would only let go if she pulled away. For now, she held on, and it was enough to sustain me through the Irishman’s obnoxious personality. “Caspian! Sweet Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. It’s grand to see ya.”

“I owe you both a huge thanks.” I looked between the Doctor and my old friend. “You could have left us there to die, but you came back.”

He raised his hands. “Leona has thanked us more than enough. We get it already.”

I smirked. Looked like my girl had held it together while I was out. I was so damn proud of her.

The doctor pumped some hand sanitizer into her hands and then sat on the rolling stool. “Is it okay if I check you over?”

“Sure.” Leona stepped to the side so the doc could check me out, but she didn’t let go of my hand so neither did I. That alone was enough of a boon to make me feel like I could take Max head-on right now.

The doctor did her business, looked through the machines hooked up to me, and nodded. “You’re doing great. You’ll still be in rough shape for a few weeks, so take it easy. Lots of rest. Nothing strenuous. But I officially declare you out of the woods.”

Leona smiled brightly and let out a massive sigh of relief. “Hear that? You’re not rid of me yet.”

I’d never be rid of her if I had my way.

“So, what’s next, then? Where to?” Colin asked, leaning against the wall and putting his hands in his pockets.

“Before you go getting any crazy ideas, please know my official doctor’s recommendation is to stay in bed for at least a few more days before you go back to getting shot at,” Willow said with a sigh while wrapping her stethoscope around her neck.

“Sounds like that isn’t the first time you’ve had to give that advice?” Leona said, a little smile crinkling her eyes.

“Every day,” the doctor groaned. “I’m tired of it. I can’t decide if you mafia men are brave and strong or just plain stupid.”

“Sweetheart,” Colin smiled rakishly. “I bet ya it’s a little of all three.”

A smile pulled up the corner of her mouth as she glanced at him. As long as I’d known him, Colin had never been in a relationship for long. Was that changing? He hadn’t stopped staring at the doctor since he came in here.

“Well?” Colin asked again, looking back at me. “Not trying to kick ya out, but what’s next? I can get that plane ready for you again. I imagine ya want to get moving.”

“That would be gr—” I started.

“No,” Leona said, voice hard and loud. Everyone in the room turned to look at her.