Page 99 of Last Round

“It might,” I grumble.

“Don’t tell me Mister Big Bad Killian Murphy is afraid of hospitals.”

“Not afraid,” I correct. “I just hate them.”

There is something about the stench of disinfectant… every surface feels funny because of sanitizer, nothing is comfortable, the sheets are stiff, the food sucks, they get the worst channels, nurses are constantly poking and prodding you so there’s no chance of getting any rest—like they tell you, you need. I only step foot in these places when I’m unconscious and can’t object, or when someone twists my arm.

“Well.” Molly tucks me in with the scratchy blanket. “Hopefully it’s just for tonight.”

“You’ll stay, right?”

“Of course.” She beams down at me.

I scoot over, giving her room. Molly crawls into the small hospital bed with me before lying on her side and resting her hand on my stomach. My fingers trace up and down her arm. “You never answered me.”

She looks up with her brows pulled together. After thinking for a second, they lift as she makes an O shape with her mouth. “I didn’t think you were serious. Or I assumed maybe I heard you wrong. There was so much going on, all the adrenaline…”

I hook a finger under her chin, pull her face closer, and kiss her. Her eyes flutter as we pull apart. “Will you marry me?”

“Killian, you’re on drugs. You literally have a head injury. We’ve hardly been dating for a month.” She stops to take a deep breath. “I don’t want you to wake up in a couple of days, have the reality of that question settle in, and regret it.”

“Molly.”

Her emerald eyes are wide with panic, her mouth gaping.

“This isn’t spur of the moment. It’s theright moment.” I continue before she speaks. “The ring, it’s hidden in my closet. Look at the receipt. I purchased it before we even had our first date.”

“Really?”

“It might have taken my brain a little longer than I would’ve liked to catch up to my heart. But, deep down, I knew it the second you threw that drink in my face. I met my match. I was done for.”

“You’re crazy. Has anyone ever told you that?”

“Crazy for you.”

“God, you can be so corny sometimes.”

I grab the hand she was shoving against my chest. “And you love it.”

“This is insane. You know that, right?”

“Does that mean you’re saying yes?”

“Of course, I’m saying yes.”

My body sags with relief as she presses her lips to mine. I wrap my arm around her, pulling her close. Damn, this fucking hospital bed and IV. I want to go home so we can consummate this properly.

There’s a clearing of a man’s throat. “Is this going to become a habit?” Sean asks from the doorway. His hair is disheveled. Just before he tucks his hands into his pockets, I notice the cuts on his knuckles.

“Maybe you should start wearing a bell? Or not enter someone’s room without knocking,” Molly is quick with the punches.

“Touché.” Sean doesn’t argue. “Can we talk?”

Molly bites her lip. While I’m sure part of her is still pissed as hell at Sean, he’s her big brother and has always loved her. She wants to forgive him. But she’s stubborn as hell too. Both of the Walsh kids are. I guess it’s up to me to be the bigger man.

“Sure, come on in.” I gesture to the chair.

Sean collapses into the seat. His fingers thread through his hair as he holds up his head. The damage to his knuckles is clear as day. He’s been fighting—or at least hitting something. He looks up at us with bloodshot eyes.

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