Page 193 of Heart of Frost and Scars

But I am being watched. Not just by Leo and security. Someone is out there, a murderer, a stalker, monitoring everything I do.

Hours pass, and I’m engrossed in my tasks, but the atmosphere remains tense.

As I tend to a patient, I struggle with a tricky IV setup. The sterile packaging and intricate components feel foreign in my hands after so long.

Paul, a fellow nurse and an old friend, steps in. “Need help with that?”

“Please. It’s been a while since I’ve used one of these.” I pass him part of the kit.

As he quickly assists me, we exchange a brief smile, a moment of camaraderie.

“Good to see you back, Frankie.” He helps me finish the task, resting a hand on my arm for balance as he leans around me.

“Thanks.” I turn to find Leo storming into the private cubicle.

“What are you talking to her about?” His eyes flare with possessive jealousy, his posture aggressive.

“Just work stuff, man.” Paul steps back. “Chill.”

Leo doesn’t chill. He never chills. His fists clench, and steam rises from his ears. “Keep your hands off her.”

I step between them, flattening a palm on Leo’s chest. “Paul is my coworker, and you’re not supposed to be in here.”

“He’s flirting with you,” Leo snaps, his eyes never leaving the other man.

“Seriously?” Anger spikes, slamming my molars together.

I have a patient lying in the bed two feet away, for fuck’s sake.

“Back off.” Paul stands his ground, refusing to be intimidated. “You’re overreacting.”

The situation escalates in a blink.

Leo shoves Paul, sending him stumbling back. My heart races as the security guards spring into action, separating them and escorting Leo out of the hospital.

“Get your hands off me!” He roars, but the guards outnumber him.

“Leo, stop!” I shout, but it’s too late.

As they drag him away, a cold, nauseous stab of pain pummels through me.

Every instinct urges me to run after him.

I don’t want to send mixed signals, but dammit, I love him. He was thrust into a new world, and he’s still adjusting and adapting. He deserves grace, and I need to find a way to give him that while standing my ground.

Following them outside, I ask the guards to give us space. When they step away, I reach for Leo’s scowling face and guide his forehead down to mine.

“I love you,” I whisper against his warm mouth. “Forever.”

Instead of words, he responds with his body, sliding his arms around me and kissing my lips.

“I’m not going anywhere.” I rake my fingers through his short beard and around to his nape. “I’ll be right here. Safe with my guards.”

“They don’t protect you from all the drooling males in scrubs.”

“Leo.” I lean back to stare at him. “How can we have a healthy relationship if you can’t trust me to work with men?”

He blinks, huffs a frustrated sound, and glances toward the hospital entrance. Turning back, he ensnares me with a look of such ferocious concentration that I take a step backward.

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