Page 92 of Caught By Menace

With a final nod, Terror left the hospital room. She ran her finger along the edge of the envelope. Out in the hall, something noisy and metal hit the floor. The ensuing clatter ripped Menace from his dead sleep. He jumped to his feet and turned his body so that he shielded her on the bed.

She smiled at the sight of him protecting her and caressed his arm. Menace jerked as her touch registered. Spinning around, he gazed down at her in surprise and wonder.

“Naya?”

“Hey.” She didn’t know what else to say.

“Hey, sweetheart.” His grin quickly morphed to a tight line of concern. “Should I get a medic? Are you in pain?”

“I’m good.” She rubbed his fingers. “I’m a little groggy, but I feel okay.”

He eased onto the bed and caressed her cheek. “I’m so glad you’re finally awake.

It’s been six days since I brought you here.”

Her eyes widened with shock. “Six?”

“Yes. They kept you in a medically induced coma for three days and then weaned you off the sedative and on to some accelerated healing drugs. From what I understand, it takes a lot out of your smaller bodies. Exhaustion is a side effect.”

She glanced down at the hospital gown covering her stomach. “Is it bad? The scarring, I mean.”

He didn’t lie to her. “It’s not pretty, but they tell me it will heal nicely. You’ve seen my scars. Yours will look the same in time.”

“I guess that’s not so bad.” Better than the alternative, she thought grimly.

“Naya, some of your injuries required certain repairs that might upset you.”

Gruesome images flashed through her mind. Weakly she ordered, “Just tell me.”

Menace held her hand. “They had to take one of your ovaries. Your uterine artery was damaged.”

The shock of it left her dizzy. After avoiding pregnancy for most of her adult life, the thought of never experiencing one cut deeply. “Can I—will I be able to have babies?”

“Yes,” he answered quickly. “They assured me that in time there’s no reason you can’t have children. They’ll monitor you more during pregnancy but you’ll be perfectly fine.”

Relieved, she took some slow breaths to still her racing heart. “Next time, you might want to lead off with the good news, Menace.”

“There had better not be a next time, Naya.” He brushed his fingertips along her forehead and down her jawline. “You scared the hell out of me. I thought—” He stopped himself and gulped. “I know I screwed up, Naya. I know you probably hate me and you’ll never trust me again, but I still love you. I’ll always love you. Even though I don’t deserve you.”

“Hush,” she whispered. Emotions warred within her. She traced the hard lines of his face and gazed into his light-green eyes. “You’re a big, stupid sky warrior and, yes, you broke my heart and my trust. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy to start over but, Menace, you’re the only man in the universe who can help me piece it all back together.”

Menace exhaled roughly, the sound very near a sob. Eyes glistening, he blinked rapidly and pressed his forehead to hers. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make this right.”

Eyes closed, she savored his heat and scent. “You could start by telling me you love me and giving me a kiss.”

Pulling back, he peered down at her with such adoration. He claimed her lips in a tender kiss. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” She remembered the envelope and found it next to her hip. She lifted it up for Menace to see. “Terror brought this.”

His gaze turned murderous. “That bastard was here?”

“I guess beating the crap out of one another wasn’t enough to settle up?”

“Not even close,” Menace growled. “Why? Have you forgiven him?”

“No, but I’m not going to waste energy being angry at him.” She rubbed her thumb across his mouth. “You shouldn’t either.”

He didn’t say anything. Tapping the envelope, he said, “You better open it.”

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