Page 21 of Kept By the Loan Shark

“Someone beat the living shit out of him,” Kyle said soberly. “Cracked his head like an egg. I heard the nurses out in the hall talking about the transplant team coming.”

“Oh my God.” My appetite fled as images of Travis, beaten to a pulp and clinging to life, filtered through my head.

“Cassie,” Kyle said forcefully, “they think it was Hagen.”

“So did Janine,” I admitted before I could stop myself. “That’s what she said when she was beating me up, but—”

“But what?”

“Hagen wouldn’t do that. He’s not that kind of man.”

“He’s exactly that sort of man,” Kyle insisted. “He was a loan shark. I’ve heard what he was like before he went legitimate. He was violent.”

“He may have been what you say, but he’s not that man anymore.”

“Why? Because of you?” Kyle shook his head. “No, he’s not going to let anyone disrespect you. There was no way Travis was walking away from what happened in the laundry room without at least being punched in the face.”

I wanted to argue with Kyle. I wanted to tell him he was wrong and Hagen wouldn’t do that, but deep down, I had my doubts. He had been ruthless in business and dealt in the seedy underbelly where fists solved most problems. He had never lied to me about any of that. He had always been honest and open about the life he had lived.

“Travis ran with a rough crowd,” I countered, unwilling to believe Hagen had done this. “It could have been anyone that hurt him.”

“You’re here in this hospital bed because the man who loves you fucked up,” Kyle said, his voice filled with anger. “You got hurt because of him.”

“Kyle, there’s no proof this was Hagen’s fault.”

“The police don’t need proof. They need motive—and your man has a ton of it.” He frowned down at me. “Don’t you understand? Hagen will go to prison. For murder!”

His raised voice made me wince, and I drew back into the bed, pushing against the lumpy pillow tucked behind me. Kyle breathed heavily as he scowled at me, seemingly overcome with frustration as I refused to think the worst of Hagen.

“Is everything okay?” Vicky asked from the doorway, her worried gaze darting from me to Kyle.

“Yes,” I said, not taking my eyes off Kyle. “My friend was just leaving.”

“I’m sorry,” Kyle said immediately. “I’m sorry, Cassie. I shouldn’t have upset you. I’m just trying to look out for you.”

“I know you are.” Not wanting to argue, I said, “But I’m tired. I’d like to nap.”

“Sure. Right,” he said quietly, awkwardly. “I’ll, uh, I’ll check in with you tomorrow.”

Vicky kept an eye on him as he crossed the hospital room and left. Once he was gone, she walked over to my bedside and looked me over. “Are you okay?”

“Yes. He’s just trying to look out for me.”

“Uh-huh,” she replied, unconvinced. “If Hagen knew he was in here shouting at you like that…”

I met her knowing gaze and felt the unwanted pang of jealousy. Had Hagen defended her once? Had he protected her? Saved her? Had he loved her? Had he done with her what he did with me? Used his hands and mouth to bring her to wild peaks of pleasure that left her panting and boneless and utterly and completely overwhelmed by love for him?

“The therapists are here to do their evaluations,” she said, breaking into my troubled thoughts. “Do you want me to ask them to come back later?”

“No.” I was desperate for a distraction. “I’m fine.”

I’m not fine. Not even a little bit.

---