Page 16 of Tainted Blood

“Sweetheart, I asked your name.” I’m trying to figure out if I’m losing my mind or if I’m fantasizing because I swear it’s the elusive Callie.

“Calista Vitale.” Yes, that’s my woman, even if she didn’t tell me her real name. Although, we didn’t do a lot of talking after I got her naked.

“Don’t you mean Callie?” I sneer, hating that she left that pertinent bit of information out. It might have been a little easier to find her since Callie is clearly a nickname.

“Well, that’s what people call me,” she says, biting down on her delicious bottom lip.

“You disappeared on me.” My accusation is clear and bold, but she just swallows hard and doesn’t give me the dignity of a reply.

She takes a deep breath and stammers out, “I…need to check your wounds.”

I pull down my blanket, and her eyes linger on my growing erection as she lets out a tiny gasp. I whip the cover up so I can get her eyes back on my face for a moment. Not that I’m the least bit displeased about her checking out my dick. It’s fucking hers as far as I’m concerned, but still, we need to speak. “Eyes up here, babe,” I tease.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to stare. It’s not professional,” she stammers out, trying to excuse her behavior.

“Nothing between us is professional. Everything is personal. Besides, it’s nothing I haven’t shown you before.” I wink and smirk. “Did you insert this?” I grip my cock, pointing out the catheter in there. It’s not the sexiest thing, but my little volunteer is probably used to inserting them. The thought of her touching other men’s dicks instantly pisses me off.

“It can’t be anything but professional,” she insists, but I’m not listening.

“Why the fuck not? I can feel every part of my body.” It’s not like I’m permanently crippled and I can’t take care of her or myself. Yes, I’m fucked up right now, but thankfully, my bastard sperm donor didn’t destroy me completely. I can feel and move my body.

“Because that night was a mistake.” Fuck, those words shred more than the bullets did. She shakes her head, and I see the tears in her eyes as if she’s denying what she really wants.

“It didn’t feel like one,” I say.

“That was before I knew you were in the mafia,” she tosses back at me.

I nod, understanding why she’s upset. I can change her mind, or I can just do what Jack did and give her no choice. “That changes nothing for me, Calista.” She shivers just a little, letting me know I still affect her.

The door to the room opens and I move to protect her, sitting up straighter in the bed and dragging her to the side of my bed closer to my head. I see who it is, and the tension fades.

“You’re awake,” Jack says as he and Connor enter.

I smile at them and nod. “Yeah, that motherfucker can’t bring me down.”

“So, it was Dad?” Connor asks.

I nod and answer, “Yes. He wasn’t alone, but I couldn’t see who was in the escape vehicle.” Calista slaps her hands to her mouth at the revelation. I suppose she has a reason to fear my lifestyle. I try to sit all the way up, nearly tugging all my cords out.

“Ugh…Mr. MacNamara,” she says, pushing me back on the bed. I’m still in a sitting position, just not as upright.

She fucked up because now I have her too damn close. I snatch her hand in mine. “It’s Ian. Minx, stop with the formality.”

“Oh, shit. It’s the girl from the club,” Connor says with a smirk. Jack stares at her with an intense distrust that makes me wonder what he knows or if he is just being a big brother.

“Why the fuck are you in here instead of a real doctor?” Jack asks her with a tone that makes me want to flatten his ass.

“He was busy and stepped away. I’m supposed to reapply the bandages, if you don’t mind,” she snaps back.

“Actually, I do fucking mind.” His attitude is too much for me to tolerate. He doesn’t have the right to speak to my woman like that.

“Jack, watch it. You’re talking to my…” I snap, but he cuts me off.

“I don’t trust her. She was chatting up the governor. Now she’s in here with scissors.”

“I was chatting with the governor today, too,” Connor says, chuckling, like speaking to that asshole isn’t a bad thing. I stare at my woman with a dozen questions, like did that asshole send her my way on purpose?

“That’s fucking different, and you know it,” Jack snarls at Connor. My woman crosses her arms with a huff, glaring at my brother.

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