Page 52 of Last Boy

Walker’s face looks pained. “But when we first got here, he said that you should have an ultrasound of your stomach. Just to make sure you don’t have internal bleeding.” He swallows. “If you don’t get it with him, you’re going to have to go to a hospital.”

Squeezing my eyes shut, I lean back in the chair and throw my head up. When I finally open them up again, Dr. Boobs himself is smirking.

“So, doll, what will it be? I’ll even use my fanciest machine on you. After all, for the price Walker’s paying, the sky is the limit.”

When my eyes find Walker’s, he looks down. And I know that whatever deal he made to get me looked at today…he’s going to pay a price.

I just wish I knew what the hell that price was.

15

Walker

Poppy has been quiet on the drive back to Georgia. Too quiet. But I know she’s over there, in the passenger side, just stewing. Wondering what my uncle could have possibly been talking about when he said I was paying a price.

After her ultrasound showed no internal damage, we headed home. But little does she know that part of the deal I made with my uncle on the phone last night wasn’t just for him to check her over. But also for him to help me keep her safe. She told me that Van owed some bad people money and they were coming to her to pay them. But that’s really all she’s told me so far, and because it just happened last night, I don’t want to push her to open up right now. But tonight, I’m going to need to find out exactly how much he owed them before he died and everything else about her attackers. My uncle has friends in the police force who agreed to help find them. So, that’s what we need to do.

Unfortunately, when I asked him for his help, I basically signed my life over to him. But what choice did I have? Poppy is in danger. I’ve failed her so many times, and I’m not going to do that again. Especially because if I don’t protect her, who will?

Even if it means that, just like Briar, I’ll be stuck marrying someone of my uncle’s choice once Poppy is better. Marrying into a family strictly for my uncle’s benefit is sick and fucking insane. But then again, that’s who Dr. Beckett Benson is. The TV just doesn’t show that side of him to the people watching him on the screen.

Briar has spent the past few months with Beckett’s wife, Natasha, in Italy. This is all because Beckett brainwashed my sister into an engagement with the son of a powerful couple.

My uncle’s circle is much like that of a cult. And if you stick around too long, you’re going to drink the Kool-Aid. One thing my uncle couldn’t stand about me while I was living with him was, I refused to drink that shit. I’d never get that thirsty. But now, I don’t have a choice. Poppy needs the type of protection that I can’t afford without Beckett’s help.

“Are you going to talk at all or just sit over there and be bitchy?” I finally mutter.

I basically feel her anger radiating now.

“That depends. If I talk, will you lie? Because it sure seems like you’re hiding something for a dude who was just begging me to trust him last night,” she sasses, her eyes fixed on the window.

Keeping one hand on the wheel, I run the other over the top of my head and groan. “There’s nothing you need to know right now. It’s not going to make this entire situation any fucking better—I can promise you that.”

“You’re so predictable.” She laughs bitterly. “You are good though—I’ll give you that. Just when you convince me that it’s all good, that I can trust you, and that you are the boy I grew up with…you remind me that isn’t the case.”

“Fucking A, Poppy!” I roar. “That is not true! Everything I do is for you!” I slam my fist against the console. Instantly regretting it when she flinches. “S-sorry.” I grimace. “I didn’t mean to scare you. But, Christ, Poppy. Everything I’m doing, I’m doing with you in mind.”

“Then, tell me the truth,” she bellows. “What is the deal you made with your uncle?”

I grind my back teeth together, staring straight ahead at the highway. I could tell her right now, but it would only make her entire fucking situation worse. She won’t want to hear that I’m about to be engaged to someone who isn’t her. And she certainly won’t want her safety to be the reason why. Nothing good will come out of me revealing the truth right now. Other than I wouldn’t be lying to her.

“I’ll tell you soon enough, I promise.” Glancing over at her, I cringe. “I can’t say the words out loud myself. Just give me a little time, okay? To see if…to see if I can change Beckett’s mind.”

She looks at me for a split second before snapping her gaze back to the window. “Fine,” she mutters. “Whatever.”

The only girl I’ve ever wanted is sitting beside me. Battered and bruised. But last night, I had to choose between her safety and knowing that I’ll never get the chance to be with her again.

I have to keep her safe. I’m the only one who can.

Poppy

“Why are we here?” I look at the swanky hotel we’re parked in front of. “Like…why?”

Killing the engine to the truck, he stuffs his keys into his pocket. “You said yourself that you don’t want anyone to see you beat up,” he says, shrugging. “You’re going to stay here until you’re healed.” He pauses. “Oh, and until your attackers are found and…dealt with.”

My eyes must grow to the size of saucers, and my mouth hangs open. “Walker Samuel James, I know that you are not bringing me to this hotel and holding me hostage.” I poke my finger into his arm. “No freaking way have you lost your mind enough to do that.”

“Actually, that’s exactly what I’m doing,” he says, unfazed. “Deal with it, Poppyseed.”

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