Page 143 of Fatal Intent

Grant chuckled, then hissed and pressed a hand to his side. “Don’t make me laugh.”

Jon’s head peered around the edge of the curtain again. “You have a visitor, Grant.”

Eli scowled. “He’s supposed to be resting.”

“I think he’ll want to talk to this visitor.” He stepped back.

Rayne walked in. “Hey, how do you feel?”

Eli left the curtained area and stood with Jon to give them some privacy.

“Like a second truck ran over me.” His gaze took in the stark white bandages wrapped around her wrists and forearms, similar to his own. “Are you okay?”

She bent and brushed her lips over his. “I’m fine.”

“Baby, you were drugged and taken hostage. Things went down so fast that I didn’t have time to check on you earlier.”

“Dr. Carmichael said the drug was Ketamine. The effects are no longer bothering me.”

“What about your wrists?”

She grimaced. “That’s another story. Peeling tape off skin is a painful endeavor.”

“You’re really all right?”

“Yes. If I wasn’t, I would tell you.”

The surgeon entered the curtained-off area. “You certainly look more alert than the last time I saw you. How do you feel, Mr. Bowen?”

“Drugged and sore.”

“You’ll feel both things for a few days. The orderlies will be here soon to take you to your room.”

Grant froze. “You’re keeping me?”

“Since this is your second surgery in less than a week, it’s best if we monitor you overnight. If I’m satisfied with your progress, you’ll leave our fine facility tomorrow. Deal?”

He sighed. Might as well suck it up and deal. Checking himself out didn’t seem like a wise choice to make under the circumstances. “Deal. But only if Rayne stays with me.”

“I think we can work something out for Rayne and your two bodyguards.”

“Thanks, Doc.”

“Sure.” He turned as the orderlies entered. “Perfect timing, gentlemen. Give Mr. Bowen a nice smooth ride.”

“You got it, Doc.”

Rayne walked beside Grant, her hand wrapped around his. Eli and Jon trailed them.

Minutes later, the orderlies situated Grant in a private room and left.

Without having to ask, Rayne went to the nurse’s station and asked for two cold packs. After draping one over his forehead and slipping the second behind his neck, his nausea receded. Thank goodness. He’d rather not puke in front of his woman, especially since he hoped to persuade her to marry him in a day or two.

Would she be willing? Noah and Violet Mann, their teammates, were gone on their own honeymoon. Would she insist on waiting until they could attend the wedding? He hoped not. Grant wanted his ring on her finger and longed to see her face when he went to sleep at night and woke in the morning. Their jobs were dangerous. He didn’t want to wait anymore.

Rayne studied him for a moment. “Something on your mind?”

Eli picked up a chair. “I think I’ll talk to Jon for a while.” He carried the chair to the hallway and joined Jon at the door.