“He’s still an asshole,” she mumbled before turning her attention towards me. “Luna went to the hospital and promised to take Bec home with her if she was discharged before we could get there.”
I sighed in relief, grateful Bec wasn’t alone and would be taken somewhere I knew was safe. “Thank you. Are they home now or still at the hospital?”
Livia shrugged. “I’ve spent the last three hours yelling at that man to let you go; I have no idea where they could be.”
I held back an eyeroll and started towards the hospital that the officers had mentioned Bec was taken to. It was only a block away from the station, making it a quick walk.
“Will you slow down?” Livia called from behind me. “We don’t all have legs as long as yours.”
I didn’t listen. I had one goal: get to Bec as fast as possible to ensure she was safe. I waltzed through the ER doors and past the receptionist, looking for that dark brown hair I cared for. Liviawas hot on my heels as we bypassed the receptionist’s desk and walked past the first few beds.
I heard her before I laid eyes on her.
“I’m fine, and I need to go! He’s still in custody,” Bec complained from a bed on the far wall. Luna was sitting in a chair next to the hospital bed, her legs kicked up on the side, holding back a laugh as Bec complained to the poor doctor attending to her.
“You are not fine, Ms. Bly. You have four stitches in your head, have been given a heavy dose of pain killers, and have a concussion,” the doctor explained in a calm voice.
Bec humphed and crossed her arms in front of her in protest. I laughed at her tantrum and closed the distance between us. Bec turned at the sound and breathed an audible sigh of relief.
“Rome.”
“Hey, sweetheart,” I mumbled and sat on the bed beside her, gathering her into my arms. “Are you okay?” I leaned back and took her head in my hands as I got a better look at her head. She had a nasty cut on her temple next to her hairline, surrounded by an angry bruise. I touched it lightly with the tip of my thumb, and Bec hissed at the sensation.
“Sorry,” I mumbled before giving the top of her head a light kiss.
Bec sighed and leaned back into the bed, “It’s really okay. Just stings a little bit. And my head is killing me. And the lights are too bright. And I want to take a nap. And I’m hungry. And I want to go home.”
I glanced at Luna, who mouthedconcussionin explanation. I nodded my thanks and turned to the doctor. “When can we take her home?”
“She can’t be alone. If you’re willing to take responsibility for her, I can start the discharge paperwork now.”
“Of course I will,” I answered quickly. “She’s coming home with me.”
The doctor nodded and wandered away. Bec turned to me, confused, “I’m coming home with you?”
I nodded. “I need you somewhere safe, and it’s safe there.”
“I’d argue my penthouse with top-of-the-line security is safer,” Bec argued.
“Usually, I would agree. But the people who took you work for Bly Enterprises. The notes you’ve been receiving are coming from someone inside Bly Enterprises—most likely facilitated by your father,” I reasoned. “We need you far away from all of that as we look into what happened today.”
Bec sighed, but didn’t argue. Whether she agreed, or the concussion was keeping her from protesting, I wasn’t sure… but I wasn’t looking a gift horse in the mouth.
I turned to my sisters, who were now sitting side by side next to the hospital bed, staring at the two of us with barely concealed fascination. They had spent a lifetime watching me flirt with anything that had a pulse. This was the first time they had seen this side of me. The side that was head over heels for Bec. “Can one of you call Mom and let her know we’re on our way?”
“Already did,” Luna explained. “After receiving your call and getting over here, I called everyone, letting them know what had happened. Mom and Dad are already prepping the house, and Bella is bringing dinner home from the restaurant for everyone. As soon as we get the go-ahead, we can head home.”
“Thank you,” I sighed. I was so utterly grateful, knowing that I didn’t have to worry too much about the logistics of settling Bec into the house.
When I was only allowed to call one person, I called the house. I knew whoever answered, whether it was my mom, stepdad, or one of my sisters, they would show up without question. Luna answered, and she and Livia got to us at lightning speed.
“How do you plan on keeping me safe at your mom’s house?” Bec asked with a yawn.
I wrapped my arm around her, essentially forcing her to cuddle against me… not that she cared, seeing as she burrowed straight into my chest.
“What kind of meds did they give you?” I asked, noticing the IV for the first time. For some reason, I had assumed it was a simple painkiller.
Bec sighed against my chest, “Something for my head and for the pain. Apparently, it might make me loopy.”
