Page 98 of Hidden But Not Safe

Meg giggled, the sound sending warmth inside Naz’s chest.

“I don’t see anything fucking funny about this. You both should be dead. I’ve never seen you so reckless, Naz, and I don’t like it.” He glared. “Between you and Diego, everything has turned to shit, and all over women.”

Meg’s expression dimmed, and Naz considered punching Ramiro.

“He’s right,” she murmured. “You almost died because of me.”

“No.” Naz tried to reach for her, but an IV tugged on his arm. “Meg…no die.”

Her hand found his as she leaned closer, a scowl on her face. “You don’t get to die either. I was so mad at you. You didn’t even look back before running out like that. I can’t believe you didn’t get shot again.”

Ramiro hummed in his throat. “He’s fucking lethal when he’s dragged into an episode like that. No one moves as quickly as him.”

Naz didn’t explain that he hadn’t been having an episode at the time. That hadn’t come until later. He tried not to think about the way Meg had screamed and begged.

“And he may not have been shot again, but that bullet wound from before was going septic because you didn’t ask for help!” Ramiro’s chest heaved as he stomped closer. “The doctor has been pumping you full of antibiotics for a couple of days now.”

Naz blinked. Days? No wonder Ramiro had changed. He looked at Meg, who still wore his bloody shirt, though the blood had dried, hardening the material.

“Oh, and the doctor couldn’t do much about your ear. So you’ll be even uglier to look at with half of it gone.”

A huff of breath slipped out of Naz, surprising him, and he watched Ramiro’s eyes soften.

“I think it’ll look sexy,” Meg said.

Naz didn’t want to look sexy, or good in any way, but he didn’t worry at all when Meg said it. He hoped he’d be able to make love to her again once he felt better.

Ramiro was watching him, and his jaw unclenched. He sighed, his arms uncrossing and falling to his sides. “I’ll talk to the doctor about antibiotics you can continue to take since swallowing pills is a pain for you. Then we’ll find a place to stash you for a while.” He moved forward, his hand squeezing Naz’s toes below the cast.

Naz was relieved he could feel the pressure there.

“I’ll take it from here. I’ve been itching to take out the cartel for a while.” Ramiro released him and smiled. “You spend your time with this woman you decided was worth dying for.”

Naz watched Ramiro leave the room, rolling around the idea his boss had put in his head. He could focus on Meg from here on out. He liked the sound of that.

“I’m the one lucky enough to spend all my time with you,” Meg whispered in his good ear. Her arm slid over his chest, and her cheek rubbed against his. “I love you, Ignacio. I want forever with you, so no more almost dying.”

Naz couldn’t return her words of love. Emotion clogged his throat as he clutched at her arm, thankful they were both alive.

Chapter 29

Two Years Later

Naz pushed the door closed behind him. He concentrated, his heart thumping. “I’m home!” he called.

The slap of feet hurried toward him. Meg squealed and threw herself into his arms.

He staggered back against the door, loving the way she kissed all over his face. He was addicted to her kisses, even though it was still a struggle for him to kiss her in return.

“Welcome home, Ignacio,” she whispered. “I missed you.” Her lips brushed against his ear, the one missing the bottom half. She said she liked that one better; it made her think about how much he loved her.

“Missed you,” he said back.

Ramiro had gone legitimate once he’d taken out the cartel, and he’d hired Naz out to clients who needed personal security, but only during the day. Naz kept his nights off. His favorite time was when he and Meg wrapped around each other to sleep.

He carried Meg deeper into the house, enjoying the way she snuggled against his neck. Meg needed touch, and he loved to give it to her. He sank onto the couch with her on his lap. She wore one of his shirts and nothing else. His finger stroked over the birthmark on her ass.

“Tell me about your day,” Meg said, resting against him.

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