Sophie covered his mouth with hers, preventing him from saying anything else. He met her kiss with raw hunger which soon softened. The electric tingles that sparked to life between their every touch seemed to intensify with the simple kiss.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” she breathed between kisses. “I couldn’t bear to lose you too.” Could he hear what was hidden in her gasping breaths? Shelovedhim. “You’re not allowed to do something like that ever again.”
His rough laugh teased her ears, sending a flurry of shivers dancing down her spine.
“So you’re giving me orders now?” He spanked her hard, and she jumped against his body.
He was not going to distract her. “You’re damn right I am.”
She dug her nails into his shoulders in retaliation for her stinging bottom.
Leaning into her, crowding her against the tile, his lips curved in a smile against her mouth as he stole a kiss. When she tried to deepen it, he pulled back.
“Not that I don’t want to continue thisdiscussion, but we’ve got to get to the hospital. I need you to watch over Cody while I talk to the police.”
Finally, Emery would allow her to carry part of his burden. Her love for him only strengthened, like an ever growing oak tree, the roots sinking deeper, lodging in the rich soil.
“Okay.” She smoothed her hands up his arms, over his shoulders and around his neck, pulling him back down for one more kiss.
Chapter 17
THERE WAS A TEARFUL REUNION OF THELOCKWOOD FAMILY WITH THEIR MISSING CHILD ATST.AUGUSTUSHOSPITAL, WHERE THE BOY WAS TAKEN FOR EXAMINATION AND POLICE PHOTOGRAPHS.EMERY’S SUFFERED FROM SEVERE DEHYDRATION, BRUISED RIBS, STARVATION AND BITE WOUNDS FROM VERMIN.
—New York Times, September 30, 1990
Sophie had never been a fan of hospitals. The pungent aroma of death and the scent of sterile disinfectants made her stomach churn. Emery walked with long purposeful strides beside her. His face was a mask of stone, betraying no emotion, but his jaw popped once or twice as they headed down the hall to Cody’s room. The last time Emery had been here must have been when they’d brought him in after he’d escaped Antonio. Sophie’s throat burned as she imagined the little boy, scared and hurt, with his brother dead. Her hand sought his as she laced her fingers through his, tightening her hold. He didn’t react except to shut his eyes for a second before opening them again.
At the end of the hall, Royce sat in a stiff-looking metal chair with a stack of papers in his lap. A red pen cap jutted out from between his lips as his pen skated across the top of the page. He glanced up through weary eyes. Relief softened the stress that tightened his features as he watched them approach. He blinked, scrubbed his face with his hands, capped his pen and dropped the papers on top of a worn leather briefcase next to his chair. He stood as they reached him.
“How is he?” Emery asked in a hushed tone.
Royce grimaced. “Not good. He’s quiet, which isn’t like him. The doctor said he’s out of the woods, but the healing will take time…” He rubbed his neck, glanced away before his eyes returned to Emery. “The man who took Cody…he shattered his hand with a metal mallet. Most of the bones were broken, even the small ones. It may be years before he gets control back over his hand, if ever. The doctor is worried about nerve damage, too.”
“Christ.” Emery hissed under his breath.
“Yeah. That’s not all. He’s got broken ribs, a broken leg, bruising all over his body. The kid took one hell of a beating. If I ever get my hands on the bastard who—”
“He’s mine. You can finish off whatever pieces I leave behind.” Emery growled low, like an alpha wolf issuing a challenge. A storm brewed behind his eyes. Tension emanated from him like static sparks.
Desperate to distract him, Sophie spoke. “Is Cody allowed to have visitors?”
Both men focused on her. After a moment Royce nodded. “Yes. Go on in.”
Emery pushed the door open, then put a gentle hand on Sophie’s back as he ushered her into the room first.
Cody was in a bed, blankets tucked around him, except for one of his legs, which was in traction. White wires and clear tubes were everywhere, connecting to bags and IVs in Cody’s arms. A saline bag hung from a metal rod by the bed and several machines beeped, sending numbers skipping across their black screens. Cody’s head was angled toward the window, but he turned to face them as they approached.
It took everything in Sophie not to cry out, not to run over and hug him. Black and purple bruises covered his face, and one eye was swollen shut. She could barely recognize the handsome carefree man she’d come to care so much about.
“You start to cry, babe, and we’ll have a problem.” Cody’s raspy voice ended on a rough chuckle.
She answered him with a watery laugh and went to him, pulling up a chair by his bedside. She blinked away the stinging tears, refusing to let them fall, and smiled.
“Well, I’m sorry, but you look like crap,” she teased, knowing humor would make him feel better.
Cody cracked a grin, even if it was one obviously faded with pain. He switched his attention to Emery. “Hey, bossman.”
Emery reached out as though to touch Cody, but froze inches from his shoulder and pulled his hand back. His hazel eyes swirled with a torrent of greens and browns, matching the array of emotions that warred on his face.
