Page 27 of Patch's Bride
When Beth pulls back, Lila’s gaze lands on me. “And this must be the husband.”
Beth’s cheeks turn pink, but she doesn’t deny it.
I step forward, offering my hand. “Patch.”
Her grip is small but firm. “Lila. The famous doctor-slash-biker. I’ve heard about you.”
I smother back a laugh. “All lies, I can assure you.”
“Mostly,” she says, but her smile fades as she glances at Beth. “He’s been calling me too, you know.”
Beth stiffens. “What? When?”
“Couple of nights ago.” Lila picks anxiously at the edge of her blanket. “He said he could come get me whenever he wanted. That he was still in charge.”
Beth’s face crumples, pain contorting her expression. She grips her sister’s hand tighter. “Lila, no. He won’t. He can’t do that. We won’t let him.”
Lila’s eyes shine with unshed tears. “Beth, I love it here. You know that I do. The nurses are good to us, and the doctors understand my condition. They know what I need. I can breathe here. I don’t want to leave.”
Her voice breaks as the tears she was trying to hold back spill down her cheeks. Beth folds her sister up in her arms again, holding her tight while Lila struggles to control her emotions. My chest aches watching them—the two sisters clinging to each other, afraid of what this asshole might do to them.
I step closer, resting my hand on the bed rail. “Lila,” I say, waiting until her eyes lift to mine. “You’re safe here. I won’t let him take you out. I promise.”
She swallows hard, searching my face. I can tell she wants to believe me but doesn’t know if I have the power to stop him. Finally, she speaks. “You don’t know him. He always gets what he wants in the end.”
“I’m very familiar with men like him,” I say firmly. “And I know how to stop them in their tracks.”
Beth looks back at me, eyes wide. Her expression carries both fear and hope. I give them one swift jerk of my chin. It’s a silent vow. They need a protector, and I won’t let them down.
Lila wipes her eyes with the heel of her hand. “But how? He’s my guardian. He said it, he wrote it down. I don’t have a say.”
Beth shakes her head fast. “We don’t even know if that’s true.”
I chime in. “He could just be your medical power of attorney. We’re going to verify that today if we can.”
“You’re twenty-one,” Beth explains. “If he was never appointed as your legal guardian, that means you get to make all your own decisions, Lila. You are legally competent.”
“He says he has paperwork that says he’s in charge of everything to do with me.”
I cut in before Beth can spiral. “Even if he is, it doesn’t matter. Guardianship can be challenged. I don’t know the circumstances, but I think in your case it probably only kicks in when you’re unable to make decisions about your care. It isn’t carved in stone, especially not if he’s using his authority to go against your best interest. We’ll get a lawyer, file an injunction. That’ll stop him cold until a judge reviews it.”
Lila blinks, tears still glistening. “You can do that?”
Beth grips her hand tighter. “Patch already promised he’d do whatever it takes.”
I speak up. “I’ll call my lawyer as soon as we leave here today. In a few days, we’ll have papers filed. Until then, no one will be allowed to take you from this facility.”
She lets out a shaky breath. “God, I don’t want to leave here.”
Beth manages a smile. “We’ll make sure you can stay. I swear.”
I study her oxygen tank, the meds stacked neatly on the tray, the chart clipped to the wall. They’re doing everything right here for her. They have airway clearance supplies, antibiotics, and high-calorie meals. She’s stable here. This facility is the difference between life and death for someone in her condition. Pulling her out would be a death sentence.
I set a hand gently on her shoulder. “You’re not going anywhere, Lila. He’s not going to win this time.”
For the first time since we walked in, she relaxes against her pillows, a little relief showing on her face. Beth leans against the other end of the loveseat, her hand still wrapped tight around her sister’s.
We talk about the things her stepfather has been telling her. He’s trying to bully her into talking Beth into coming back home. That’s not going to happen in a million years though. When it’s time to leave, Beth’s hand lingers on her sister’s. “I’ll be back soon. You have my word.”
