Page 36 of The King's Boy

"Do you want to practice medicine?"

"I haven't decided yet. I mean, I probably should. I did go all the way through medical school and everything, but I'm not sure I am cut out to work in a hospital, and don't even get me started on private practice. That shit is insane."

I kept my chuckle locked firmly behind my lips as I watched Spencer clean up the medical supplies on the tray and then grab a stethoscope and take my pulse and heartbeat all without taking a moment to breathe in between his words. I wondered if he even realized he was doing it.

"I could hire you to be my private physician." I wiggled my eyebrows suggestively. "The payment package comes with great benefits."

"It also comes with guns, and I am not a fan of them. They put holes in people that I have to sew up."

I couldn't argue with that.

"Unfortunately, guns are a necessary evil in my world, which is one of the reasons I don't want you involved in it."

"You say that and yet you refuse to let me leave." Spencer crossed his arms over his chest again, but he cocked his head to one side this time instead of rolling his eyes. "You are contradicting yourself."

"I know." And I couldn't explain it. "I want you here, but I don't want you involved in the mob life. There has to be a middle ground."

I just couldn't see it.

"Well, you'd better figure it out if you want me to stick around. I can only paint my nails so many times."

My heart skipped a beat.

"So, if I can figure it out, would you be willing to stay?" I held my breath as I waited for Spencer's answer. I wasn't sure why it was so important, but I felt as if I was waiting to start my life or plunge to my death depending on what he said.

"I'm not making any promises, but I'll consider it."

I mentally pumped my fist.

"I reserve the right to change my mind and leave at any time."

"Fair enough," I said even if I didn't like it.

"Come on." Spencer stepped back but held out his hand. "We need to get you into bed."

I grinned like an idiot.

"You need rest, not nooky. That arm of yours is going to start hurting like a bitch once the anesthetic wears off. If you are lucky, you will sleep through most of it."

Yeah, I didn't have that kind of luck.

I swung my legs over the side of the exam table and then stood up. Spencer seemed to hover next to me, his arms outstretched as if he thought I was going to fall and he was getting ready to catch me. He was a lot shorter than me, and I had at least seventy-five pounds on him.

I'd squish him like a bug.

Malloy is leaning against the wall opposite the door when we walked out. He glanced up from his phone, frowning when he saw me walking. "Should you be moving around like that?"

"I was shot in the arm, Malloy. There's nothing wrong with my legs." I just had to go and ruin my protest when a wave of dizziness hit me and my knees started to buckle.

"Whoa!" Malloy quickly moved to help prop me up.

"We need to get him to his room," Spencer said. "He needs bed rest in order to heal."

"It's just a through and through," I complained. "I've been shot before. I'll be fine."

"Bed," Spencer snapped. "Now."

"You're no fun," I grumbled.

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