Diesel’s telling a story about getting stabbed when I suddenly have to excuse myself despite being the one in the spotlight. I hardly even hear the response I get in return before I’m moving around them.
Reaching Leah quicker than I should, my stomach throbs, but I can hardly feel it as I’m shaking my head at Raven. Having no clue how much Leah has already consumed, I cut her off by stealing the shot glass in her hand.
Ready to pick a fight, her eyes grow wide when she sees me. Then comes the smile, large and lopsided.
Fuck. She’s drunk. She barely ate today, so drinking on an empty stomach?
Looking at Raven for answers, I get a shrug in return. Great. Awesome.
“She said she wanted some.” Like the excuse is plausible, she returns my frown and tucks the bottle away. “Got it. Cut off.”
Leah gasps and groans. “No. Warden, drink with me. This is great.” Reaching for the shot in my hand, she slumps against my chest when I slide itfaraway. Instead of flinching back and worrying over me, she remains where she is, hiding her face.
Stroking her back, I move to her hair next. “What happened, sweetheart? What did I miss?”
Ever since we associated her drinking with whenever she’s become overwhelmed, turning something good into a bad habit, she’s chosen to be sober over the last two years. She’s going to beat herself up later. I know her too well. What could’ve happened in the last thirty minutes?
Something must really be bothering her if she slammed back too many to get in this state. “Leah? If it’s me, you know I’m fine. I’m great, even.” Stroking the back of her neck, I consider doing something silly to reassure her. A backflip, maybe.
Fuck that, actually. My body wouldn’t let me do that even if I wasn’t wounded.
Warming my stomach with a sigh, she finally looks up. Her eyes are glossy, and panic arises. I think this is bigger than needs to be seen by the other club members.
“Hey,hey.How about we go somewhere a little more private, huh?” Trying to stay calm and not panic, I realize how well this is going to play out. I don’t do well with tears. Taking her hand and coaxing her off the stool, I wrap an arm around her before I become completely useless.
The one time I get an excuse to pick her up in front of all these guys to make sure they know she’s more mine than not, and my damn stomach is getting in the way.
“I was supposed to stop caring.” Mumbling her groans, she leans against me, and I continue rubbing her back as we move, silently shushing her. It doesn’t work. “You should go to Meadow Falls. I’m just greedy, Warden.”
Having no clue what she’s going on about, I try to get us to our destination a little faster. If she thinks I’m going anywhere, then she should remember who she’s talking to. This place is my home.She’smy home. I’m not going anywhere.
Leaving the bar behind us, all while ignoring the slight attention we’ve snagged, I lead her toward the row of rooms. Hunting down one that is vacant, we make our way in.
“I think you should lie down for a little bit. I can go fetch you some water and—”
Her grip on me tightens enough that I feel her fingers digging into my wrist. “Don’t leave.”
Okay. I’m starting to figure out the problem here. For some reason, she’s set on believing I’m going to run off somewhere and not come back.
“Let’s lie down then and chill until you sober up a little bit.” Leading her over to the bed, I kick off my boots before sitting down. Prying her fingers off my wrist, I kiss her knuckles before releasing her. As soon as I’m settled on my back, she’s crawling down next to me.
Letting me tuck an arm around her, my mouth brushes her forehead before my thumb swipes at the corners of her eyes, before even a single tear can stain her rosy cheeks.
“Want to tell me what happened?” Caressing her skin, each stroke of my finger calms her down more and more.
Sniffing her sorrows, she turns her face away, tucking her nose into my throat. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“Not going anywhere. I’ll repeat myself until my face goes blue.” Stroking her hair next, a corner of my mouth lifts. “Want to give me a little credit here? I have no intention of dying, either. I’ve gone years without any injuries, which has to speak for something. The only reason that I got shot was because my head wasn’t on my shoulders. I was distracted thinking about…”
Pausing, I realize telling her the truth may lead to her blaming herself, especially when she’s in this shape.
“Our last conversation?” She closes her eyes. “I pushed you away out of fear. I was really mean. You should not like me.”
Rubbing the back of her neck, it’s a wonder she doesn’t start purring or pass out on me. “It sucked, sure. But knowing I’d need to make you like me again gave me the push to come back breathing.” Even if I was bleeding out. “The worst thing you could say to me is that you’d never want to see me again, and I still wouldn’t hate you.”
The words are right there on my tongue. The confession I considered saying way back when.
“You love me.” Grumbling the words for me, she pops an eye open to take in my startled expression. “You told me you wouldn’t.”
