Page 29 of Nanny's Mate

“Do you think Beatriz needs protection? Could Wallis and this Franky guy come back and attack her again?”

Tristan’s expression turned somber once more. He sighed and tilted his head back toward the ceiling. The truth visibly pained him.

“I’m afraid they could. They may not and assume that her condition is more dire than it is. All the more reason for you to stay put and protect her. They might try to eliminate her as a witness.”

Mike felt fire scourge through his veins. He would like to see those bastards try.

“All right. I will stay here. Keep me updated on Nate and Aric when you can."

Tristan and Mike returned to the hospital room to find Barbara and Beatriz laughing over some reality TV show. Mike felt a glow bloom in his belly at the sight of his mate’s smile. He was sure it could heal even the most arduous of wounds.

“Oh, you’re back,” Barbara said, rising with a dazzling smile. “I’m going to head out and look after the triplets while Beatriz recovers. I think this silly show is doing most of the work."

Beatriz suddenly looked concerned and then tried to frantically get out of bed. Mike raced to her side, pushing her gently back down.

“I’m fine. I can take care of them,” Beatriz mumbled.

“No, no, Beatriz, don't worry,” Barbara said, coming to her side with her soothing tone. “We are a big family here. That’s what we do. You are a part of it, honey. You need to rest.”

Beatriz and Mike looked at each other, and something moved between them. It was a knowing, and it was enough to make Beatriz let go of the reins.

“What about Indulge?” she asked.

Barbara did her signature hand wave and pulled at the bed sheets to tuck Beatriz in.

“We’ve got that, too, sweetheart. You focus on healing, and Mike will take care of you. That is what the Wolfes do."

After Barbara and Tristan left, Mike and Beatriz were finally alone. Mike was glad to see that she looked somewhat settled, but there was still something bothering her.

He went to her and took her hand, fluttering kisses over her knuckles. It made her smile, but there was still discomfort.

“What’s wrong, baby?” he asked softly, trailing his lips along her fingers.

Beatriz looked terrified, her hand stiffening under his touch. He didn’t like that one bit.

“Am I a target? Is that why you're staying here with me?”

He stopped his venture around her fingers, lowered her hand, and brought his own to her cheek. She stared at him, visibly frightened, panic rising like a bubbling volcano.

“It’s my job as your mate to protect you,” he said, evading her inquiry. “I am going to protect you no matter what.”

“Are they going to try to kill me again?" she asked, looking more and more frantic.

“Beatriz …”

When she began to hyperventilate, Mike didn’t know what to do. So he did the only thing he could think of to comfort her during her explosive moment of fear. He climbed into bed with her, guiding her head to rest on the armor of his chest.

“Just breathe with me,” he whispered. “Listen to the beat of my heart. I am here. Everything is going to be okay. No one is getting past me."

SEVENTEEN

MIKE

It wasn’t long before the hospital cleared Beatriz to go home, but Mike couldn’t make his peace with leaving her home unsupervised. What if something happened to her?

“I think you should come back to my place for now. You’re still recovering,” he insisted. “I don’t mind staying at your cabin with you, but my place is bigger. And it’s right on the lake. You can think of it like a mini-vacation while you recuperate.”

Luckily, Beatriz didn’t argue. She seemed content with the suggestion, so he ran back to her cabin while the doctors finished up her discharge paperwork and packed a bag of essentials.

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