Page 80 of The Vampire's Mate

“She’s been bouncing between your rooms all night. Finally passed out in Kian’s about an hour ago.”

I attempted to sit up again. “I need to see her—oomph. That’s not fair!”

James held a hand tenderly in the middle of my chest, but it was enough vampire strength to keep me on the pillow. “I’ll make a deal with you,” he said. “You sleep for two more hours, and I’ll break you out of here so you can see them.”

“And how do you plan to do that?” I asked, words muffled as he replaced the oxygen mask over my face.

James dropped his voice to a whisper, his eyes sparkled with mischief. “Same way I got them to stop asking questions about the wooden stake through Kian’s back: a little mind manipulation.”

“You can do that?”

“Yes. It’s also how Gabriel ensured every person on my street ‘slept through’ that explosion.” He leaned over and kissed my cheek. “And I promise if you get some rest, I’ll tell you more about it.”

I wasn’t sure whether it was James or the medication dripping into my IV, but I started to feel more relaxed. He pulled up a chair and held onto me, his thumb softly stroking the back of my hand until I drifted off to sleep again.

James stayed true to his word. When I woke up that afternoon, he shamelessly flirted with a nurse to get me into a wheelchair that I promised not to leave. I had no doubt that there was some vampiric magic worked in there, but I wasn’t going to question it.

The nurse told me she was removing the IV that fed me pain medication, so I was likely to get more uncomfortable. I didn’t care. The painkillers made me foggy, and I didn’t want to feel sleepy anymore.

We had to take an elevator to see Kian in the ICU. James wheeled me there himself, and I relaxed into the chair, my head resting against his chest as I watched the numbers climb.

“It’s okay, love,” he said, leaning down to kiss my cheek. He laughed, making me turn my head to look at the adorable way he wasscrunching up his nose. “We really need to get you cleaned up.”

“Does that mean I get a sponge bath?” I asked as the elevator dinged and the doors opened.

James shook his head and muttered, “What am I going to do with you?”

“Love me?” I countered, wondering if that single word would ever feel normal in my mouth.

“That I do.” James stopped at a closed door, rounding the chair and crouching in front of me. “Remember what we agreed on.”

I rolled my eyes. “My ass is not to leave this chair under any circumstances.”

“Good boy.”

I narrowed my eyes but couldn’t resist the fluttering that kicked up in my belly.

Damn praise kink.

James straightened to his full height and nudged the wide door open. My heart pounded against my ribcage, and he looked back at me. “Are you ready?”

Not really, but I nodded anyway. I wanted to stand so badly my legs itched: needing to be pushed around in a chair made me feel helpless. I resisted the urge to look around the corner, forcing myself to sit back in my seat. The only light in the room was the one directly over the bed, and Hannah sat in a chair to Kian’s side, holding his hand and resting her head on his arm. She sat up when we entered, twisting around to look at me with red-rimmed eyes.

“Have you told him you love him yet?” she asked, indicating where James stood behind me.

His hand squeezed my shoulder, drawing my eyes to his. “Yeah, I have.”

“Good.” I looked back to Hannah, who was standing from her seat and walking over to me, arms outstretched. “Then I don’t need to feel guilty.”

She held me close and buried her face in my neck. I joked by calling her kid, but in that moment she’d never felt so small. As my arms closed around her, she fell into my lap and I had to suppress a groan. I guess I’d done more physically than I thought. I didn’t dare move her, letting her sob into my neck and feeling tears soak my hospital gown.

“What did you mean?” I asked. “What do you have to feel guilty about?”

“It doesn’t matter,” she hiccupped.

“She means she loves you,” Kian rasped from the bed. I hadn’t realized he was awake. “You forgot the most important words, Han.”

I was still bewildered, but James spoke before I could ask, a gentle hand placed on Hannah’s back. “Why don’t I take you to get something to eat?” he suggested. “Let’s give these two a minute.”

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