Page 53 of Entangled in Them

I did. I could end up back in a wheelchair, or worse, back in the hospital, even to the point where I might have to have more of my leg amputated.

“There’s a new design,” Gordon said, “that’s far lighter, and would put less pressure on your stump, but we discussed the cost implication the last time. Your basic prosthesis is covered by the government, since you were injured during duty, but you’d have to pay for any upgrades.”

I shook my head. “I don’t want to spend that kind of money when the chances are it’s going to have to be replaced within a few months because the stump hasn’t settled down yet.”

“I understand, but give it some thought, especially if things get worse. The prosthetics do take some time to be made exactly to your fittings, so don’t leave it too late.”

Dillon sat quietly while Gordon made some adjustments to my current prosthetic and then went through some exercises with me. When we were done, I shook Gordon’s hand again, and we left the office.

Dillon was uncharacteristically quiet. His jaw was rigid, his green eyes a shade darker. He was angry about something, but I had no idea what. For the briefest of moments, the possibility that he knew about the kiss I’d shared with Rue last night jumped into my head. Had she told him? Even if she had, he had no right to be angry. Just because we had a relationship of sorts didn’t mean he owned me or got to tell me what to do. Or maybe it was that he’d wanted to be the first one to kiss Rue, and he was jealous.

Either way, I needed to know what was up with him.

“Did I say or do something to piss you off back there?”

“No, it’s not you.”

I cocked an eyebrow. “Really? ’Cause something has crawled up your ass.”

He exhaled a long huff of air. “It’s what the money was for.”

I frowned. “What money?”

“The job I did for the Capellos. The one I got Rue as payment for instead. I wanted to use the fifty grand to make sure you got the best limb.”

I stared at him. That had been the last thing I’d been expecting.

“Fuck, Dillon. You didn’t have to do that.”

His jaw tightened, dimples appearing in his chin. “I fucked up. I was trying to help, and instead I made everything worse.”

“They’re not that much worse.”

He narrowed his eyes. “What are you talking about? You hate having Rue around.”

“She’s all right. I guess she’s grown on me.”

He stared at me in surprise. “She has?”

I shrugged. “Sure. Of course, it doesn’t help that the Capello brothers know who we are now, if they didn’t before, but I can live with Rue being around.”

We stepped out of the building and into the parking lot. There were an above average number of disabled parking spots, for obvious reasons, and I located the place I’d left my modified Ford. I climbed into the driver’s seat, and Dillon slid into the passenger side. But I didn’t start the car.

I twisted in my seat to face him. “I’m sorry I assumed you’d wanted the money for gambling.”

He shook his head. “It’s fine. I can hardly blame you. I’d probably have thought the same thing about myself.”

I leaned in and kissed his mouth, my palm cupping the stubble on his jawline. “Thanks for coming with me today, and for doing what you did. It’s good to know you’re looking out for me. Now, let’s go home and make sure Rue is all right.”

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