“You love him.” Bear chimed in. “There’s no shame in that. There’s no need to apologize. It turns a man on when his woman can claim him—can scream from the mountain top that she wants him—not only his body but his everything.”
“Really?” I asked.
“For me, one of the best sentence Mia has ever said to me isI love you.And trust me, I wasn’t the easiest man to get to love.” Bear dragged a hand over his head.
“What our Bear is saying.” Maia grinned over at Bear. “Is that a real man isn’t afraid to hear your love for him and feel like he can conquer anything. That’s a good thing, Ellie Sargent.”
I nodded then reached over to hug Bear then Maia. “Have you two been checked out by a doctor?”
“Yes.” They chorused.
“Okay—you…” I pointed to Bear. “Go home to your lady. Give her a hug from me for lending you to me for this. I really appreciate it.”
“I can’t leave yet.” He told me.
I kissed his cheek. “Go.” I insisted. “Grim and Maia will be here. I’m sending Kujo home to Molly too.”
“But you will call if anything changes?” Bear asked.
I nodded.
He engulfed me in a bear hug, and I had to giggle at that. When he stepped back, it was for another meaningful look as he pressed his phone to his ear. “Taz,” Bear said as he headed down the corridor.
I suspected he was calling one of the protectors to come get him.
“I’m not leaving.” Maia shrugged.
“Didn’t think you would.” I chuckled then reached across to wipe a smudge of dirt from her cheek. “Thank you.”
Kujo returned with water and apple juice. I accepted water for I didn’t think I could keep anything else down.
“Where’s Bear?” Kujo asked.
“I sent him home. And you need to go too.” I smiled at him.
“Not a chance.” Kujo told me. “Tarek isn’t out yet. I don’t want to leave right now.”
“Molly is going to be worried.” Maia told him. “Grim and I will stay here and when Malik comes out to talk to us, we’ll let you guys know.”
Kujo’s face changed when he heard the name of the love of his life. I couldn’t help noticing the way he softened.
“Go.” I whispered.
Kujo exhaled loud and hard. He hugged me then stepped to the side to hug Maia then bumped fist with Grim. I watched him leave then stretched out on the seats to rest my head on Maia’s lap. I didn’t sleep after Kujo left. Maia and Grim spent the wait time—an eternity—telling me stories about Tarek and his life and work as a US Marshal. Grim was his partner so he had some really funny tales. Maia knew him on a little bit more of a personal level and those were amazing too,
When Malik finally exited, he looked tired yet relieved. I surged to my feet.
“He’s okay.” Malik reported. “He reopened the wound and have lost some blood but other than that, he’s just banged up.”
The strength in my knees gave out and I slumped to my knees in front of Malik. He caught me, scooped me into his arms and carried me into a room where he laid me on the bed.
“I need to take a look at you.” Malik told me as he turned to roll on some gloves. When he faced me, he had a doctor’s flashlight and proceeded to look into my eyes.
“I’m in love with Tarek.” I confessed.
“I know.” Malik replied.
“And I don’t want to see him with another woman—ever.”
