Page 25 of Handcuffed By the Bounty Hunters

She says it with certainty and conviction. And Cameron doesn’t seem at all surprised by her offer.

Also…coming home with us? The two of them have an us. They’re together.

Where does that leave me?

Penny sits on the edge of the bed with me and takes my hand in hers. I’m trying not to read anything into the gesture.

“Okay, so we all need to be on the same page with regard to care,” the doctor says, giving Penny and Cameron a shrewd look. “Mr. Willis, is it all right to discuss your health and recovery now?”

“It’s fine,” I say. “They can hear everything.”

She gives us the rundown on my care and rehab. Meds for pain and swelling, physical activity, when I can return to work, what to expect with physical therapy for my shoulder, all of it.

After handing over some print-outs of her instructions, the doctor says, “Do you have any questions?”

“How about sexual activity?” Penny asks.

I give her a sharp look, but she stares back at me, unapologetic.

“You’re cleared for that, but take it easy at first,” the doctor says, her eyes twinkling.

Does it even matter? Or maybe the two of them are together and they want to bring me in for occasional fun. Fuck that. I’m not going to remain on the outside of their relationship. I thought I would do anything to be with Penny, but I don’t think my soul could survive on only scraps of her love while she gives the main course to Cameron.

The doctor runs through a few more cautions and instructions, signs a paper, and says, “You’re clear to go, Mr. Willis. Please contact me if you have any other questions or concerns about your recovery.”

I thank her and then she’s gone, leaving me alone with Penny and Cameron.

I’m not sure what to say. Fucking hell. I’m getting too many mixed messages.

“Am I really coming home with you?” I ask. “You didn’t even talk to me about this.”

“Yes, you’re coming with us,” Cameron says. “We’re a fucking team, man. You have to know that.”

I shrug, because I don’t actually know that.

“Where were you guys?” I ask, hating the vulnerable note in my voice. Fuck, a man gets shot and he turns into an insecure mess. Daddy dom fail.

Instead of answering, Cameron dangles a key in front of my face.

“What the fuck is this?” I ask.

“The key to our apartment,” he says. “All three of us.”

I can’t remember how to talk. It isn’t making sense. “Our…apartment…”

“You don’t have to move in,” Penny says, “and if you hate it, we can find a new place later. But we wanted to get started as fast as possible. We just know, and we know you belong with us.”

I shake my head. Not in refusal, but disbelief.

“We’ve spent the past few days packing and unpacking,” she continues. “We wanted to get the place ready before you were released, so you could come too, and we could take care of you.”

“You two moved fast,” I say slowly.

Penny’s smile falters.

“But I’m in,” I add, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. “All the way. Goddamn, when I thought the two of you were doing your own thing and didn’t want me around…”

I don’t want to finish the thought. I was crushed.

---