Page 9 of Pirates in Calusa Cove (Everglades Overwatch #2)

CHAPTER 7

“You’re worse than my father,” Trinity muttered as Keaton pushed her down the corridor. “You don’t have to do everything.”

She understood she needed to be in a wheelchair. She didn’t have a problem with that. Not one bit. Not only was it hospital policy, but she didn’t have the energy to walk. Her legs couldn’t have carried her very far.

However, Keaton didn’t have to be the pain-in-the-ass boyfriend and practically shove the nice orderly out of the way and do it himself.

Boyfriend.

It was odd to think of him that way. They’d shared a night. One night. And while it had been amazing, and she more than appreciated everything he had done to help—no, save her—that didn’t make him her boyfriend.

Yet he behaved like one, and honestly, she’d been fantasizing about him for far too long.

She glanced up at the man in scrubs strolling alongside them, his hospital ID proudly displayed. Keaton had checked it three times. She had done the same thing. Every time someone walked into her hospital room, her heart rate increased, and she nearly had a panic attack when a new nurse came in to take out her IV.

She hated feeling this way. She hated the idea that someone was lurking in the shadows, waiting, watching. The closer she got to the door that opened to the outside of the hospital, the more fear bubbled in her throat. Her chest tightened. Her lungs burned. She’d been frightened before—terrified, actually.

But she hadn’t wanted to jump out of her own skin when Charlie had hit her. She’d been stunned. Temporarily paralyzed. However, as soon as her brain had registered the danger that could’ve been her future if she hadn’t acted, she hadn’t hesitated.

“I know that,” Keaton said. “I want to.”

“But that’s what this nice man here is for,” Trinity said.

“It’s no problem, ma’am.” The orderly smiled and nodded. “I’ve had more than one fine gentleman do this. If it were my wife, I might do exactly the same thing.”

“I’m glad you understand.” Keaton slowed as he neared the door. “I am going to have to pull my truck around, and I don’t like leaving you here alone.”

“She’s not alone.” The orderly rolled up his sleeve and tapped his biceps, showing off a tattoo. “Former Marine. Combat medic.” The man lowered his chin. “Fletcher made sure it was me who walked her out. He was supposed to let you know. ”

“I haven’t checked my cell in the last twenty minutes,” Keaton said as he pulled it from his back pocket, fumbling with it.

“We can sit in here or outside. Whatever makes you comfortable, sir,” the orderly said.

“Fletcher sang your praises. Semper Fi.” Keaton stretched out his arm and shook the orderly’s hand. “Sorry, I was harsh.”

The orderly nodded. “Not a problem.”

The sound of the doors in front of her swishing open startled her, and the warm Florida air mixed with the cold air-conditioning made her shiver. She wrapped her good arm around her middle as a silhouette of a tall person shuffled through the opening. She couldn’t see the person’s face—only the hurried body movements as the person rushed into the hospital as if on a mission. They took a couple of long strides toward the information desk to her left.

She hadn’t realized her heart had been beating in the center of her throat until she tried to swallow and failed. Inhaling sharply, she tried to release the lingering horror. Having a healthy dose of fear because someone had tried to kill her twice was normal. She knew that. There would be something wrong with her if she weren’t scared. But this?

It was the worst thing she’d ever experienced.

“Oh my God, Trinity,” a familiar male voice bombarded her ears.

She stiffened.

Fenton was the last person she wanted to see. The last person she wanted to deal with .

“Sweetheart, I’m so glad you’re okay.” He dropped to a knee in front of her wheelchair.

Keaton made a noise that could only be described as a deep, low growl. The two men had met several times, and Keaton hadn’t been impressed. Once, he’d told her that she could do better.

She’d told him to mind his own business. Only, he’d been right.

“What are you doing here?” she managed to choke out.

“Are you kidding me?” Fenton stared at her with wide eyes. “I came as soon as I could manage to leave the dealership. You must’ve been so terrified. Did you get my flowers?” He raised his hand and touched her cheek.

She jerked back. It wasn’t just that it was Fenton’s touch. It could have been anyone. After Warren’s failed attempt to kidnap or kill her, any man—or woman—putting their hands on her made her flinch. Even if Keaton were to come up behind her without warning, she figured she’d do one of two things.

Clock him.

Or curl up in a ball and cry like a baby.

“What can I do for you? What do you need? Do you want to come stay with me?” Fenton asked with a smile. He did have a nice smile. That’s what had initially attracted her to him. “I have plenty of room. It would be no problem, and it might be exactly what you need.”

She opened her mouth, but no words tumbled out.

Keaton pressed his hand on her good shoulder. “She won’t be staying with you,” he said in a gruff voice. “Now, if you will excuse us.”

Fenton rose.

He was a tall man. Maybe six-one, which gave him at least one, if not two, inches on Keaton. But Fenton didn’t have the muscles Keaton had. Nor did he have that badass, don’t mess with me look. It was a subtle look, and Keaton didn’t give off that vibe very often.

When he did, even a rock would shudder.

Fenton didn’t quake in his boots. All he did was look Keaton up and down. “I’m pretty sure Trinity knows how to speak for herself.”

Keaton laughed. “Oh, I know.” He squeezed her shoulder, rubbing his thumb on her exposed skin near her neck. It was soft, tender, kind…loving even. He turned, catching her gaze. “Babe, can I tell him to go screw himself, or shall you?”

Why the hell had she ever told him about Fenton’s extracurricular activities?

“Who the hell do you think you are?” Fenton inched closer.

So did the orderly.

Her heart continued to pound in her throat. But she couldn’t let them beat the crap out of each other, and while she knew Keaton deep down was a sweet man, he’d toss the first punch. She’d seen that at Massey’s one night when some asshole had relentlessly put his hands on a young girl.

“I will be your worst nightmare if you don’t leave,” Keaton said .

She cleared her throat, finding her voice. “Please stop arguing,” she said softly.

“Sweetheart, I’m so sorry.” Fenton didn’t shift his gaze.

But Keaton did, and he gave her an apologetic smile, but then he shifted back to Fenton and widened his stance.

Wonderful.

“Fenton,” she whispered. “Go home. I’m fine.”

“I will not go home, and you are not fine.” Fenton planted his hands on his hips and glared at her with daggers shooting from his eyes. “Who is going to take care of you?”

“I am,” Keaton said.

The orderly leaned in. “Shall I call security, sir?”

“Not yet,” Keaton grumbled.

Trinity rubbed her temple. She didn’t have the bandwidth to deal with this crap. Fenton was a royal pain in her ass. He’d never wanted to break up. He denied he’d been cheating. Of course, it had been difficult to prove simply because she’d never caught him. All she had were a few strange texts. Some sexual emails from an address she hadn’t recognized, a couple of weird, random voice messages, and an odd earring in his vehicle. But nothing concrete, and he’d explained it all away.

However, once she’d overheard him talking to a buddy about how he’d been banging the boss’s daughter, how he was close to being the heir to it all. Well, that had been the end of them.

Audra, Baily, and the guys were right. She’d been too nice to Fenton when she’d dumped him, which was why he kept coming around.

Her chest heaved up and down. Her breath came in short pants. Her blood roared in her ears. It had been a long time since she’d feared telling anyone what she thought. It was as if she were transported back to being sixteen, when all she’d cared about was being accepted.

She still wanted that, but today, it was different, and she wouldn’t sit there and be silenced.

“I doubt Trinity wants to go home with the likes of you,” Fenton said.

“Shut up.” Trinity lifted her chin. “Don’t speak to my boyfriend that way.”

“Boyfriend? Seriously?” Fenton laughed. “You’re slumming it with this guy?”

Keaton unfolded his arms, clenched his fists, and took one small step forward.

She reached out with her good hand and grabbed his forearm.

He didn’t flinch. That was a good sign.

“No, I was slumming it with you.” Crap. That wasn’t too smart, but it flew from her mouth and gave her power. It felt good. As if she were taking back parts of her life that had been snatched from her at sea. “Now, leave us alone, and never call or text me again.”

Fenton pursed his lips. His nostrils flared.

She wasn’t sure she’d ever seen that look—not even when they’d broken up. Then again, he’d told her he’d never believe they were through, that she’d be crawling back to him within weeks.

That had never happened .

“You’re making a big mistake.” He leaned a little closer.

Keaton stepped between her and Fenton.

She held her breath.

Fenton raised his hands. “Trust me when I say, this asshole isn’t who he says he is. You can’t trust him. Mark my words, he’s going to hurt you.” He dared to smile. “But because I still care and always will, I’ll be there to pick up the pieces. I promise you that.” He turned on his heel and marched out the door.

The panic that had momentarily been held at bay gripped her muscles once again. She breathed slowly in through her nose, out through her mouth.

Keaton kneeled in front of her, taking her hands, staring into her eyes, and breathing with her as if this were normal.

But it wasn’t, and she hated it.

“I’m right here, babe. It’s okay.”

“I hate that guy,” she managed.

“He’s not my favorite person, either.” Keaton leaned in, kissing her forehead. “I’m going to have Chloe run a deeper background check on him, just to be safe.”

“I’m not going to stop you, but I’m sure you’ll just find he’s a two-timing asshole who’s looking for a sugar mama.”

Keaton chuckled.

“It’s not funny. I felt like an idiot after I broke up with him.”

“Babe, you’re no fool. Even I could fall for his charm. And he’s not bad-looking. ”

“Now you’re being an asshole.” She couldn’t help it. She smiled.

“Are you going to be okay while I get my truck? It’s not far. It’s in the main parking lot, so if you sit outside, you can see me the entire time.”

“I shouldn’t do this,” the orderly said. “But Fletcher’s a good man. He’s done a lot for me since I’ve come back. I can walk both of you to your truck.”

Keaton nodded. “Thanks, man. I appreciate that.”

Trinity let out a long breath. All she wanted to do was sit out on the back patio at Keaton’s place, sip some tea, put her feet up, and try to forget.

Only, she knew that would be impossible.