Page 30 of With This Ring

“Okay,” I say with a sigh. I know no matter what I say, Kai won’t stay in the hospital if he doesn’t have to. No need to start a fight here for the world to see. I’d win and it would be shitty to beat a guy’s ass that already has stitches in the back of his head.

Three hours and a bag of IV fluids later, Kai is given a semi-clean bill of health. He doesn’t have any broken bones or a skull fracture, but he does have bruised ribs and a concussion. The doctor gave me instructions, telling me he could rest, but I had to wake him up every few hours to make sure he’s alert and aware.

“If at any point he becomes disoriented and he doesn’t know who you are or can’t answer basic questions, you get him to the nearest emergency room.”

By now, both Declan and Nico are inside waiting with me. No one speaks while we wait for Kai to sober up and for him to get his test results back. He dozes off every now and then, waking up with a start. Every time he does, he winces and touches the back of his head.

Nico grumbles the last time he wakes suddenly. “You’re gonna hurt yourself with that shit.”

Dazed gray eyes meet mine, then slide over to Nico. “‘S all good. Get me out of here.”

I push past Nico and wrap my arm around Kai’s waist to help him off the bed. I don’t know why I’m suddenly so territorialover him, but I don’t want anyone to touch him. Not while he’s hurt and vulnerable.

Guilt assails me when it never has before. If I hadn’t said what I did, he wouldn’t have ducked Nico and gone to that club alone. He wouldn’t have gotten hurt. This is all on me.

Declan climbs in the passenger seat while Nico drives. I sit in the back with Kai. Over his shoulder, Declan says, “If someone steals my car, I’m going to lose my shit.”

I grunt. “Call someone to pick it up.”

“Probably towed by now,” Nico adds unhelpfully.

Declan glares at his profile. “If you’d do your fucking job next time, this?—”

“Save it, kid. Your brother already gave me a lecture and it just sounds petulant coming from you.”

Kai barks a laugh, then nuzzles closer to me. My heart flutters in my chest at his small movement. “Leave him alone, Nico. I’d rather Declan not shoot you while you’re driving.”

“He could try,” Nico says with humor, like Declan isn’t glaring at him.

After their small spat, we’re quiet for the rest of the ride home.

It’s a bitch to get Kai out of the car, especially since he fell asleep again. When I wake him, he comes up swinging, getting a good shot into my jaw. Realizing it’s me, he gives me a lopsided grin. “I guess that’s payback for your bullshit earlier.”

“Fuck you, Kai,” I say, but the curse doesn’t hold the usual heat.

I drag him upstairs, but when we get to my bedroom, I turn the knob and usher him inside. Nico slowly follows me in and when I get Kai in bed, I catch his curious expression. I don’t say shit, just take Kai’s shoes off and begin to remove his clothing, starting with his pants.

Before I can pull them down, I look over my shoulder at Nico and Declan. “Unless you want to look at my husband’s dick, I suggest you both get out.”

“You could let him die,” Declan says nonchalantly. “Blame it on the head injury. Then you wouldn’t have to worry about having a husband.”

With steel in his tone, Nico says, “If you say some shit like that again, I will fucking end you.”

Before Declan can reply, I hold my hand up, exhaustion creeping in my veins. “E-fucking-nough. Both of you. Get the fuck out of my room.”

I continue to take Kai’s pants off as I hear the door click shut behind me. I unbutton his shirt and pull it from his shoulders, then pull off his socks. With a deep breath, I drag his underwear off. It takes effort, but I don’t stare at his dick. For long.

After he’s naked, I go to the bathroom and grab two cloths. I wet them both but only add soap to one.

Kai’s eyes flutter open as his steely gaze lands on me. “Don’t try anything dirty. I’m too hurt to enjoy it.”

I scoff a laugh and sit beside him. “That won’t happen. You smell like booze, vomit and garbage. Nothing makes my dick soft faster than that combination.”

Kai chuckles, then winces. “Thank you, Carter. For coming for me.” His eyes take on a more lucid quality. “How did you find me?”

I tap his ring. “My dad added a GPS tracker in them. Came in handy tonight.”

He breathes a laugh, then relaxes further into the mattress.

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