He holds up his hands as if he’s surrendering. “I apologize. You’re correct.” He chuckles nervously. “This is why we need someone like you at the firm. You’re not afraid to speak your mind.”
It’s my turn to give him a bug-eyed look. “What? I no longer work at the firm.”
“But you can,” Garth says quickly, stepping closer to me. “You can have your old job back. We can forget the conversation in my office and go back to how things were.”
I smirk at him. Tucker told me they’re having trouble keeping my clients, as they didn’t want other representation at the firm now that I’m gone. I had four large clients that were on retainer, not including the motorcycle club. They’re probably scrambling around to get such lucrative clients that pump money into the firm.
The nurse enters the room, pausing the conversation as he goes over some last-minute post-op instructions and has me sign my discharge paperwork. He wishes me good luck and breezes out of the room.
I focus back on Garth, who’s looking at me with a hopeful expression. I’m going to enjoy this. “Garth, there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell I’ll come back to work at that firm. In fact, I plan to open my own firm and those clients that refuse to stick with you? I’ll be taking them on myself. Next time you try to judge the company someone keeps, maybe step back, realize you’re throwing stones when you live in a glass house and shut the fuck up.”
Garth’s face turns beet red and he fists his hands at his side. “Now you listen here. I won’t have someone that sleeps with someone beneath him talking to me that way. If you think?—”
His blustering tirade is cut off when Zeke grabs him by the shoulder and hauls him back, slamming him against the wall by the door, rattling some cups and a tissue holder. I smile as I watch Garth’s face go from bright red to almost white as he looks up at the smiling face of my man.
I move nearer the door so I don’t miss any part of this show. God, Zeke is so hot when he gives people that smile when I know behind it are his sinister thoughts.
His hand tight on Garth’s shoulder, Zeke asks, “What were you saying? I didn’t quite get that bit at the beginning about being beneath someone. Care to repeat it?”
Garth opens and closes his mouth like a fish out of water, then shakes his head. “I wasn’t … What I meant was?—”
Zeke moves his other hand over Garth’s head, leaning against it as he moves closer to his face. “Do yourself a favor and get the fuck out of my boyfriend’s hospital room before you end up being a patient.”
With his last bit of courage and trying to put as much bass in his tone, Garth asks, “Are you threatening me?”
His smile widening, Zeke says, “I am. Glad you’re quick on the uptake.”
I laugh at Garth’s expression, as he was probably hoping Zeke would back down. Not fucking likely. He looks at me, hoping I’ll help him, but I will not. Fuck him. He needs to realize that he can’t talk shit about others and not expect push back. He really tried it.
“I can sue you for that.”
Zeke shrugs, still looming over him. “You could. But what do you think I could do to you if you do? You suspect my reputation. I can promise you; it can get a lot worse.”
Garth looks like he knows he fucked up. He swallows repeatedly, bringing his hand up to adjust his tie. The whole while, Zeke hasn’t lost his smile. I really would hate to be on the receiving end of one of them.
“Now,” Zeke says, stepping away from Garth, “I advise you to fucking scurry away before I end up using Shane’s vacated bed for shits and giggles.”
Garth doesn’t need to be told twice. With one more glance at me, he slides past Zeke and speed walks down the hallway.
After watching him walk away, Zeke looks at me with his real smile. “Ready to go, baby?” I grin at him, shaking my head as I wrap my good arm around him.
“You’re a fucking menace, you know that?”
He kisses the side of my head. “I do. And you love me anyway.”
“You know I do.” I scoff as he takes my bag from my shoulder. “What if he calls the cops?”
“He won’t. He’ll be afraid of what I’d do to him.”
We walk out of the hospital and I breathe in deeply, glad I can inhale fresh air for the first time in over two weeks. I never thought I’d miss the smell of the city. Being cooped up in a hospital room sucked. The windows didn’t open, so all I could smell was antiseptic and cleaning products.
Zeke helps me into the car, sliding my seatbelt on. Before he shuts me in, he turns to me, giving me a quick kiss. “We have to make a pit stop before I take you home. It’ll be quick. I know you’re tired.”
“I’m fine. I can handle going to see the guys.”
He grins and shuts the door. When he slides into the driver’s seat, he tells me, “We’re not going to the clubhouse. Everyone plans to come see you tomorrow anyway. Still down for my pit stop?”
I give him a look. I trust Zeke with my life—he’s proven that he’d die to save me, so why wouldn’t I—so I nod. “I’m down, baby.”