Page 11 of Reckless Dynasty (Knight's Ridge Empire 9)

Her shoulders drop. “I don’t, sweetie. I’m sorry.”

I fight to force the lump in my throat down, but it won’t shift an inch.

Toby shifts beside me, his fingers tightening on mine a second before he snuggles closer to me.

“Despite the circumstances, you two look cute,” Mum says softly.

“Thanks, Joanne. I appreciate it,” Toby whispers roughly, making me jump and Mum laugh.

“I hear you saved my girl,” Mum says once Toby has woken a little more and opened his eyes. “Thank you.” The sincerity in her voice makes me lose the fight with my tears once more. Her warm hands leave my face, but she doesn’t move away, instead taking my cannulated hand in both of hers.

“Anytime. How are you feeling?” he asks, turning his attention to me.

“I think the pain relief has kicked in,” I admit.

“I think they’re going to move you soon,” Mum says, obviously having found out everything while we were sleeping.

“I’ve got to stay?” I complain.

“Just for the night. They need to monitor your oxygen levels after the smoke inhalation.”

“I won’t leave your side, baby.”

Twisting around slowly, I look into his heavy eyes. “I’m not sure you’ll be allow—”

“You don’t need to worry about that,” he says, brushing his lips lightly against mine as if my mum isn’t standing right there. “I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

Suddenly, the curtain is pulled back with a flourish and a friendly looking older nurse bounds into the room with a massive smile on her face.

“Right then, Miss Jodie Walker. It’s time to get you somewhere a little more comfortable. Although,” she says, her eyes alight with amusement as she looks between the two of us snuggled together, “it looks to me like you’ve already got it pretty good there, girly.”

Toby barks a laugh while my cheeks burn and the nurse’s eyes drop to his body.

“Once you’re back up and on your feet, you could wash laundry on those abs of his.”

“Oh my God,” I mutter, my face burning hotter.

“I’ll let her do whatever she wants once she’s at full health again,” Toby confesses.

“Stop,” I plead. “Stop it now.”

But when I look over at Mum, she doesn’t seem to care. She’s too busy chuckling with the nurse.

Traitor.

“Don’t look at me like that, sweetheart. She’s got a point.” Mum quirks a brow.

“Where are you taking me?” I ask with a sigh, my throat burning more with every word.

“Up to the Cirillo ward. We’ll look after you like royalty up there, my dear.”

“Damn right she will,” Toby growls, finally sitting up and swinging his legs off the bed, albeit slowly.

“Grab everything you need and we’ll get on our way. I’ve got two strapping porters outside waiting, although they’ve got nothing on your boy.”

My eyes follow Toby as he reaches for the top he’s been supplied with and pulls it over his head. But he soon comes to a grinding halt when he has to lift his bandaged arm through it.

“You want some help?” Mum offers.