Page 11 of Playing to Win

Theo

“Danica,this is Parker and his wife, Nessa, who you already met. Ezra and Millie, Sylvester and Fawn. You’ll meet Boston and Amelie once they arrive.” I didn’t expect Boston and Amelie to fly up from New Orleans, but once Ezra made the call, they were headed to the airport.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Parker moves closer to Danica, hand out to shake hers. I growl at seeing the IV pulling at the back of her hand with the movement. I take a step closer to stop her when Vanessa slides in front of me.

“Ignore the snarling boy man. Let me adjust the line so you can move around more easily. I’m sorry to say we met under these circumstances, but I am happy to meet you all the same.” Nessa works her magic like the nurse she is, even though she’s off the clock.

“It’s nice to meet you all as well.” Danica cuts her gaze to me, silently telling me to chill the fuck out. That’s not likely to happen, ever. I’ve still got a few things to take care of once she’s home and settled in my penthouse. The plans for her to have a safe and Brian-less apartment are gone. She’s moving in with me, or I’ll move in with her. Those are the only two options I’m giving her.

“We won’t stay long. Nessa’s been here since early this morning, and we need to get home. When you’re back on your feet, we’ll all have to get-together,” Parker states, pulling Nessa into his side.

“I’d like that. Thank you for staying and checking in on me,” Danica replies. I’m sure she’s telling herself it was entirely unnecessary. Which would be the case if she were an outsider. She’s not. My brothers and their wives know exactly what it’s like once we claim a woman as ours.

“Hi, Danica, I’m Millie. I hear you’re a fellow caffeine head like the rest of us. I own Books and Brews. It’s right around the corner, and there’s food, good food unlike the hospital stuff they try to serve you here,” Millie offers, which reminds me I’ll have to see about getting dinner brought up. Danica and I missed lunch. The only reason I know she ate breakfast is because I made it for her.

“That would be amazing. I’m running on one cup of coffee when I usually have two or three. The lack of caffeine is definitely not helping the headache,” Danica replies.

“It’s nice to put a face with the name. We’ll be seeing you tomorrow,” Ezra pipes in. I’ll be working from her room until she’s released, which means he’ll be the one bringing my laptop.

“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you as well, all of you, really.” Danica lets out a yawn, so it’s time to wrap this shit up.

“I don’t have a superpower like these two, but I’ll come and sit with you tomorrow as well. Get some rest.” Fawn waves yet stays in place in front of Sly.

“I’d like that. Maybe this one will leave me alone for five minutes.” Danica winks, pointing her finger at me.

“Not fucking likely,” Sly replies, stating the obvious.

“Alright, you’ve said your hellos. Now say your goodbyes. There’s one more person who wants to see her. I’ll walk you out while they talk.” Bellamy stayed where he was, planted in his chair. It didn’t matter that I told him it wasn’t his fault. There was no way of knowing Brian would attack Danica. He still didn’t like the thought that maybe he could have prevented it by staying with her. I told him, as did Danica, that she would have never let that happen, even if the elevator was repaired, which it wasn’t. The whole damn shaft needs to be replaced and won’t be fully functional until tomorrow. Do I wish that Bellamy had made sure she was seen to her door? Fuck, yes. Would she have allowed that to happen either way, had it been me or him? No, she fucking wouldn’t.

“Is being annoying a permanent thing with you? They just came inside the room less than five minutes ago,” Danica says. I raise my eyebrows. She rolls her eyes. A wave of laughter is carried throughout the room.

“I save my spectacular capabilities just for you,” I whisper into her ear. “I’m sending Bellamy in. He’s beating himself up over what happened. I need to talk to the guys for a few minutes. Think about what you want for dinner, and I’ll order it when I come back.” My nose grazes the shell of her ear before I pull away. Her eyes are closed. The woman who was about to start an argument for the sake of starting one is calming down. Hopefully, after Bellamy, some food, and what I’m sure will be another round of nurses in her room, she can get some much-needed sleep.

“Okay, we’re leaving. Danica, you’re in good hands. Theo has my number.” Parker grumbles. “Which he’s allowed to use, husband of mine, should something come up, but I doubt it will.” The group leaves, and I squeeze Danica’s hand one more time.

“Go get Bellamy. He should have come in with you and Mallory.” She isn’t wrong, but he was adamant about biding his time. I nod my head in response, then turn to head out with the group, falling into step beside Sylvester.

“Sly, mind if we talk for a minute?” I ask in a hushed tone, not wanting the women to know, though it’s kind of hard for Fawn not to take notice since she’s right beside him.

“Not at all.” Knowing Sylvester, he probably knows where this conversation is headed. The group veers off to right, and I head left. There, sitting by himself, elbows propped on his knees, is Bellamy. He’s looking down at the ground with worry cloaking his presence.

“Bellamy.” I sit down beside him, my hand clasping his shoulder. “Quit beating yourself up. Danica is doing that enough as it is.” That knocks him out of his reverie.

“Son of a bitch, she shouldn’t be. She should be proud of herself.” He looks up. There’s a tone in his voice that means he’s back in business.

“Yeah, well, why don’t you go tell her that? I’ve got a conversation with Sylvester that needs to happen.” I look at my friend who’s standing off to the side, Fawn still with him.

“I’ll do that, but when you get Brian in a room, know that I want my lick, too. That girl has been on her own for far too long. It’s about time she’s aware we all have her back.” He stands up after delivering his declaration.

“You’ll have your time with Brian, promise. It’ll happen tomorrow morning when the girls are here to sit with Danica.” If Brian were a man of any amount of worth, I’d hit him where it hurt the most—his wallet. Since he’s got nothing, is nothing, well, he’s about to fucking become nothing, too.

“I’ll be ready.” Bellamy leaves me to head to Danica’s room, and in his place, Sylvester takes his seat.

“Brian is in police custody as we speak. He’ll get out on bond if he has the money. If not, he’ll have to wait to appear in front of a judge.” He leaves the statement open ended for me to elaborate what I want done.

“Jail won’t be enough, not for the likes him. He’ll get what, six months, three on good behavior? It doesn’t matter that he’ll do it again, or me pushing my weight around. Danica doesn’t have my last name, and the apartment building will only make it look even worse for her.” There’s no way I want her to have to relive everything she’s had to experience before we met—a judge, jury, or Brian aren’t getting that piece of my woman. “Bail him out. Use one of our companies that won’t be traced back to us and take him to a building. Text me the time and location. I’ll have Nessa, Millie, and Fawn sit with her.” I’m not sure what time Boston will be here, but I’m sure Amelie will join in with the other women.

“You got it. One question,” Sylvester asks.

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