Page 89 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

RODRIGO

The soft gasp from the kitchen had me quickly striding in that direction. I’d walked through the door only a moment ago, but it seemed I’d arrived just in time.

Standing near a cabinet, Lily grasped her side, a grimace pulling at her mouth. “You’re supposed to be taking it easy,” I admonished.

She rolled her eyes as she gently massaged her stitches. “Ugh. How is it that you always walk in at the most inopportune time?”

I couldn’t help the tiny smile that curved my mouth. “When it comes to you, cara, I know everything.”

“I wasn’t doing anything strenuous. I just needed?—”

“I know what you need,” I quipped. “Sit down before I turn you over my knee.”

I grabbed the vase she’d been trying to reach, then set it on the table next to the colorful blooms she’d apparently collected while I was gone. “You’ve been busy.”

She shook her head as she filled the vase with water. “I can’t stand to just sit here all day.”

I sympathized with her; she was used to being independent, and this was a huge blow to her self-esteem. Over the past couple of weeks, she’d gradually worked up her strength to move around more. We worked together in the greenhouse each day caring for the plants, but I made sure she took breaks often and got plenty of rest.

Her newfound friends tried to keep her spirits up, too. Lily’s house had been a revolving door of visitors as Jules, Mia, and Joey stopped by every couple of days to offer their support and check on her. From time to time Jack, John, and Sheriff Eric Donahue stopped by as well. Fox and Eva had returned to Chicago, but they continued to text me every few days, asking for updates on her recovery.

Dr. Tillburn had stopped by to evaluate her just a few days ago and declared everything was healing well. Barring any unforeseen complications, Lily should be able to return to work in another couple of weeks.

“I know.” I watched as she began to cut the stems, then placed them in the vase. “But pushing yourself will only make it worse.”

She paused, scissors in hand, and slowly lifted her gaze to mine. “Any other words of advice?”

I grinned. “Not yet. But I do have good news. I’ll be working with Fox again.”

“Oh.” Her face fell, but she cleared her expression a moment later. “So you’re heading back to Chicago? When do you leave?”

I extracted the scissors from her fingers and set them aside, then pulled her into my arms. “I’m not sure yet. But I’ll have some freedom to come and go as I please.”

“So you’ll be here from time to time?”

The faint thread of hope I heard in her voice swirled inside my chest before latching deep in my heart. I didn’t need to work; I had plenty of money. But, like Lily, I liked to keep busy, and Fox and I had spent the morning hashing out an agreement.

I hooked a knuckle under her chin and directed her gaze to mine. “Do you want me here?”

“I mean…” Her teeth dug into her bottom lip as she lifted one shoulder. “If you want to be.”

So stubborn. I bit back a smile. “Well, this involves a little bit of travel, but it has great benefits. Like…” I stroked my thumb over her lower lip. “I’ll be around to help you in the shop most days. I’ll get to come home to you each night.”

She blinked rapidly. “You’re staying here?”

“For the most part.” I slid my hand down to cup her bottom and eased her closer. “I’ve decided to work as a consultant. If Fox needs eyes on the border, I’m close enough to handle it.”

Her head tipped slightly to one side. “I thought Araña was dead?”

“That may be true, but trafficking won’t just stop overnight.”

“I know. I just…” She placed her hands on my chest. “Don’t you think you’ve been hurt enough? If anything happened…”

Tears glazed her eyes, and she quickly dropped her gaze away. I couldn’t stand the pain in her voice. “What we do is important,” I said gently. “And I’ll have backup this time. I promise, mi amor.”

I cupped the back of her head and waited until she met my gaze. “I will always come home to you. No one will keep me from you.”

Her eyes were huge and liquid as she stared up at me. Though she tried to hide it, she had the biggest heart of anyone I knew. I would move heaven and Earth to make this woman happy, because she deserved it.

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