Page 129 of Bloom: Part 1

The door opened, and for a second, it felt like the bullet had hit my heart after all. Logan stood still in the door, glaring at Sarge.

“Who the hell let you in? This is a private room.”

“Logan,” I whispered.

Logan’s stern expression melted into one of relief as he crossed the room quickly. Sarge got to his feet and left quietly.

“You’re awake.” Logan sank into the chair Sarge had just vacated. His fingers found mine, and he brought my hand up to his cheek. “You’re fully awake.”

“Yes, I am. Are you angry with me?”

He kissed the back of my hand, then shook his head. “No. No, I’m not angry with you. I’ve been terrified, anguished, and guilt-ridden, but not angry.”

“Why guilt-ridden? None of it was your fault.”

“It sure feels like it. I wish I’d anticipated what you would have done and stopped you.” He took out a flashlight similar to Jamie’s. “Now stay still. Let me check you over.”

“Jamie already did it.”

“Then I’ll do it again.”

I rolled my eyes but followed his instructions, which were just as thorough as Jamie’s.

“Isn’t Jamie your protégé? Don’t you trust him?”

“I just have to know for myself.”

He leaned forward and placed a kiss on the center of my forehead. “You’re so amazing. Did I forget to mention that?”

“I’m glad you think so. I don’t want to disappoint you.”

“You can never disappoint me.”

“Logan?”

“Hmm?”

“Did you think I was going to die?”

“Bloom…”

“Please.”

“I didn’t know what to think, and it scared me. Usually, I can stay impartial, work on a patient, and move on, but there was no moving on from you. There never will be. You have no idea how special you are, Bloom, but I swear I’ll show you. I will spend the rest of my life showing you.”

A knock sounded on the door. Ugh. It was good to be alive, but I wanted a moment alone with Logan. Jamie entered with an orderly wheeling a gurney inside. “Dr. Collier, I—”

“Why didn’t you call me?” Logan asked. “I came here and found you gone and a strange man in his room. I thought you promised to keep an eye on him.”

“Sarge is one of his brothers. When he came to visit, I figured it would be fine.”

I glanced at Bloom for confirmation. “Is he?”

“Yeah.”

“How come I don’t know him?”

I smiled at the growl in his voice. He was so protective. Surely, it was worth getting shot to see him like this.

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