Page 78 of Dubious Match
“She’s been threatening me for a few weeks,” I add. “Emilia was always going to make her move and while I can take care of myself typically, even I’m not any match against being body slammed and kicked by an alpha who outweighs me by at least a hundred and fifty pounds.”
Stupid fucking, pointless tears. Goddamnit!
The monitor next to me complains, and begins to beep loudly and quickly. Caleb and Lars step in with guns drawn while Adrain raises his hands in the air.
“She’s pissed off and upset,” he explains. “Put those away.”
Walking over to me, Caleb turns my face toward him, gently wiping away a tear.
“You’re going to make your eyes swell more, Hollis,” he murmurs. “Be mad, that’s fine. I’ve been waiting for you to get here. Emilia is a fucking twunt, and used something you love against you. It is not fine, and I never want you to say that again.”
Lips trembling, I nod as I gasp out a sob. “I don’t want to stay here anymore, Caleb.”
“Today, Hollis also gets whatever the fuck she wants, Doc,” he says. “You and I both know her lungs are fine. Do you realize that Emilia could decide that she’s going to hire someone to kill Hollis at the hospital, and while Lars and I would kill them, the chances are high that she would be shot. Everyone is at risk while she’s here.”
“I want to know that my friend is alright,” Adrain growls as I lean back on my pillow, still crying. I’m doing my best to pullthem back, but my body is twitchy now that I’m allowing myself to feel things. I've been numb from the pain before this. “Hollis, this bitch is fucking insane. All I heard was gun shots at the event, and then no one would let me through. I had to call my father to see how you were.”
Shit. His father is a mafia man, and sometimes asks for favors when we need them. It’s almost funny that it works both ways.
“He told you I was here?” I ask.
“He did, so I chose to come in to work and refused to leave in an effort to be able to monitor you. I’ve been bouncing between departments,” he explains.
“Did I just catch you in a lie, Doctor?” I tease weakly.
“You bet your ass you did,” he says, blowing out a breath. “You’re going to give me a heart attack.”
“I know for a fact that you’re in perfect health,” I mutter. The man is built like a god. Not mine, but I can appreciate it.
“Bah,” he grunts. “You’re too important to this community to die, Hollis.”
“Why do you think she’s got a fucking target on her back, Doc?” Lars asks before heading back to the door with Caleb.
“Emilia is threatened by me,” I say softly.
Adrain pulls some tissue from the box and carefully blots my tears. It’s better if he does it, because I’m sure to push too hard since I’m frustrated and angry.
“Better,” he says, handing me some clean tissue for my running nose. “ROWS is threatened by anyone with a brain, Hollis. Forever Yours was a beautiful event, and my pack even connected with someone. We have drinks planned out for next week.”
“Really?” I ask, grinning despite the bruises.
“Don’t get too excited,” he warns. “We’re going to see how it goes. Now, who are you staying with while you’re recovering?I know you’re smart enough not to go back to your apartment right now.”
“She’s staying with me and my pack,” Brice says, walking in. “Good morning, Hollis. Sorry I was gone for so long.”
“He brought you something from the coffee shop. I think that’s the only way we’re going to make it out of here alive. You haven’t eaten anything,” Lars calls out.
“What?” Adrain asks. “When is the last time you’ve eaten?”
“A muffin yesterday morning,” I reply. “I haven’t been awake for long, Adrain. That’s the same reason I haven’t seen you until now.”
Adrain presses his lips together and laces his fingers together before stretching to hold back the expletives I’m sure that are running through his mind. Broody alpha.
“Alright, fuck it,” he says. “What did you bring my patient, and is there enough to share?”
Brice raises his brow with a smirk. “That depends entirely on my girl,” he says, handing me the bag.
My stomach flip flops as he so publicly calls me his, and I open the bakery bag.
