Page 11 of The Last One You Loved

The torturous pleasure of slowly sliding into her tight wetness.

I was snatchedout of the memory when my work phone clanged softly, breaking the silence of my room. My dick was hard, pushing against the fabric of my boxers just like in my memories. I fought to get it under control before I answered.

“Hatley.”

“Sorry to wake you, Sheriff, but Deputy Adams picked up Sybil Lloyd again, and you know she won’t calm down until you see her.”

I sighed. The last thing I needed tonight was more memories. More pained moments.

Every time Sybil blew back through town, my chest was a bundle of knots until she breezed out again.

“Let me get someone here for Mila, and then I’ll be over.”

I hung up, dragging a hand down my face. Rianne had just left mere hours ago, and I knew she’d come right back if I called, but I didn’t want her to have to. These were the times when being a single dad with a job like mine were the hardest.

I hated not being there when Mila bounced out of her room in the morning.

So many smiles I’d missed.

But I’d go because Sybil held a rock over my head that would crash down and wreck my world if I didn’t. I might have lost McKenna because of Sybil, but I sure as hell was never going to lose my daughter because of her.

CHAPTERFIVE

MCKENNA

HUMBLE QUEST

“I was so nice ‘til I woke up.

I was polite ‘til I spoke up.”

Performed by Maren Morris

Written by Robbins / Morris / Veltz

“You’re fired!”Dr. Roy Gregory snarled, gray eyes flaming and spittle jumping from his mouth as he spoke. He was a dark-haired, smooth-skinned man with spray-tanned skin and muscles he earned in a high-dollar gym. “Pack your things and get the hell out before I have security throw you out.”

I stood up from the stool, lifted my chin, and crossed my arms. Normally, the sterile smell of the hospital soothed me, but it could do nothing to calm the waves of panic rushing through me now. “I was well within my rights.”

There was a rustling of fabric at the door, and Sally appeared behind him in scrubs with a pissed-off look on her face. Behind her was the hospital’s chief medical officer, Dr. Selena Gomez. Dr. Gomez stood with her hands across her chest and concern flitting through her brown eyes. I’d had limited interactions with the short, serious woman, but she’d always seemed direct, professional, and fair. I wasn’t sure I could count on that today with Dr. Gregory throwing his venom in my direction.

“Any minor, but especiallymyminor son, will not receive care in this hospital without parental consent.” He stormed past me, eyes flashing at Layton who seemed to shrink into the bed further. “Get up.”

Layton’s eyes darted toward me before attempting to swing his feet over the edge of the bed. A groan escaped his lips, and I stepped closer to him.

“You don’t have to go,” I told the teen, but I wasn’t sure he’d even heard me as alarm spread over his face.

Dr. Gomez moved past Sally and into the room farther, a small furrow appearing between her brows. “Are you hurt, Layton?” she asked.

“If he’s going to take risks like he does, he’s going to get injured. A lesson he learned. The pain will be a good reminder,” Dr. Gregory barked.

Dr. Gomez moved into my space, and I backed away so she could assess the teen. “Did your dad already check you out?” she asked.

Layton’s face paled, but he nodded.

“And did you ask Dr. Lloyd for care?”

“It doesn’t matter if he did or not. As a minor, she shouldn’t have agreed,” Dr. Gregory said tersely, the fury barely contained.