Page 11 of Tone Deaf

I cut him off, not wanting to hear more of his bullshit. “There’s nothing you can say that I want to hear. You’re not a part of my life anymore. You can leave and never come back. And I’ll be changing my number so don’t bother calling me.”

Dom slots his muscular frame between the bed and my father again. “You heard him.”

I look away. The constricting pain in my body continues to ease as the drugs in my system take full effect. However, it doesn’t numb the ache in my heart my father has caused me. I close my eyes, hoping sleep will find me.

“You can leave, Mr. Fitz,” Pen barks out, backing up Dom.

“I’m not?—”

“Don’t lie,” Dom warns. “Or I’ll call that nurse back, and he and hospital security can put you out for good. What’ll it be?”

I force my eyes open and see Dom doesn’t wait for Brian to make a decision and hustles my father backward until he is out in the hall.

Pen closes the door and then returns to my side. He reaches for my hand and gently holds it. “Dom’s going to call the detectives who are on your case. I’m sure they will want to know about your father’s involvement. And I promise you Brian Fitz won’t bother you again.”

I squeeze Pen’s hand and smile up at him. “Thanks.” Then I close my eyes again and try to ward off the negativity, but it’s too late. To know that my father is involved in my attack slashes my heart to pieces, and I’m bleeding internally.

I don’t understand why Brian bothered to come. Was it just to throw more insults at me? To see the results of his handy work? Yet, his actions don’t make sense… or is it the drugs in my system? Trying to put his visit out of my head, I cling to Pen’s warm hand and let the numbness from the drugs lull me to sleep.

Chapter Five

Dom

It’s taking everything in me to not take a swing at Brian Fitz. The bastard has done enough damage to his son’s psyche. And to his face and body, if Callum heard correctly.

I spin him around instead, pushing him back against the wall with my forearm across his neck, my face inches from his. “Now tell me what shit you’re in that got Callum hurt.”

“I’m not?—”

“Don’t lie,” I growl low. I’m getting tired of repeating myself with this asshole.

“I’m the only one who sees the truth in all this,” Brian rushes out, puffs of his sour breath hitting my face.

“The only truth I want is the trouble you pushed onto your son.”

“Are we having an issue here?” Lyric asks in a tone that’s far from friendly. “Do I need to call security?”

I step back, dropping my arm. “No trouble.”

Brian whips his head around and glares at the male nurse. “No, I was just leaving.” He steps back with a parting shot to me. “I’ll be seeing you around.” He then strides away.

“Do I need to add him to the list of people not welcome back to Mr. Fitz’s room?” Lyric’s voice isn’t quite as tight.

“Yes.”

“Mr…” Lyric begins to say.

“Just Dom,” I correct, looking down at the shorter man.

He’s quite pretty—I noticed his looks when he was eyeing Pen in the ER. He has creamy flawless skin and those interesting violet eyes, which he’s thinly lined in black to accentuate their shape. I can see why Raef is rattled by Lyric’s beauty.

One would also assume, from looking at the man, that Lyric is gentle in nature. But appearances can lie. I know firsthand how fierce Lyric can be with his verbal banter. He holds his own.

“Do you need extra security posted here?” His question jolts me out of my thoughts.

I clear my throat, glance down at the hallway and say, “We have it covered.”

“Alrighty.” Lyric shrugs and goes behind the nurses’ station.