“No. They’re being paid to do a job. They won’t give up until it gets done or we stop them. That said, we should be okay at the condo for a couple of days, time enough for me to get my strength back and Harper to get some sleep.”
Chase gave her a smile. “Which, since she sat up all night watching over me like the angel she is, I know she needs.”
Reese’s blue eyes widened.
Harper’s chin went up. “I owed you, that’s all. You got shot trying to protect me.”
Chase’s smug smile faded. “We need time to figure this out, honey. We need to be someplace safe until we do.”
“You’re way less than a hundred percent,” Reese said. “Until you’re stronger, you need someone you can trust to protect you. Is Maddox staying with you?”
The door swung fully open and Jason walked in. “I’ll be there—whether he likes it or not. He has Harper to think of, so he won’t give me any trouble.”
“Hey, you two, I’m right here in the room. But I accept your offer. Thanks, Hawk.”
Harper felt a shot of irritation. “So I guess I don’t get any say in this.”
“’Fraid not, sweetheart,” Chase said with a smile.
She wanted to argue, but after what had happened last night, she was clearly in danger. These men were tough, and they were determined. Harper was smart enough to know she needed them to protect her.
“I’ll see what I can do to get you out of here,” Reese offered. “Take care of yourself and if you need anything, call me.” He cast a last glance at Harper. “That goes for you, too.”
As Reese left the room, Maddox tossed Chase a set of scrubs. “Best I could do.”
“They’ll work.”
A petite dark-haired nurse walked in—Joanne, Harper recalled. It was impossible to miss the hopeful smile Joanne cast in Maddox’s direction.
She walked over to Chase. “If you’re determined to leave, at least let me change your bandage before you go. I’ll show Mrs. Garrett how to do it so she can take care of it next time.”
Chase’s eyebrows shot up before a smile touched his lips.
“It was his idea,” Harper said defensively, casting a pointed glance at Maddox, whose lips twitched.
“I’ll wait for you two outside,” Jason said. Taking back his gun, he stepped out into the hall, the door swishing closed behind him.
Chase sat on the edge of the bed as the nurse showed Harper how to clean the bullet wound in his chest, how to pack it with gauze and replace the bandage. A bullet had sent a piece of concrete tearing into his calf. According to Joanne, if he kept it clean, in time the stitches would dissolve by themselves.
“Would you like some help getting dressed?” the nurse asked.
“My wife can handle it.” His playful glance sent a rush of heat into Harper’s cheeks as the nurse left the room.
Chase stripped off his hospital gown, leaving him naked, except for the bandages on his chest and calf. Smooth muscle rippled with every move and Harper’s mouth went dry. Desired tugged low in her belly, followed by a rush of guilt. Considering the man was recovering from being shot, she couldn’t believe she was thinking of sex.
“How about some help, Mrs. Garrett?” Chase teased, his dark eyes sparkling with humor.
“I told you it was Jason’s idea. They might not have let me stay if they knew I was just a friend.”
Chase’s features softened. He looked as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he didn’t.
Harper was glad. Too much was going on, too much remained unsettled. No matter what she felt for Chase, she refused to let her thoughts stray from the problems at hand.
And there were plenty of them.
Ignoring the smell of antiseptic Chase had always hated, he leaned on Harper as she helped him put on the scrubs, then pull paper shoes onto his bare feet. He could probably do it himself, but it felt way too good having her pressed against him. He could feel her soft breasts, and strands of pale hair teased his cheek. He wished they were alone and he was feeling a whole lot better.
Across the room, the door swung open and Joanne rolled a wheelchair into the room. “The doctor’s releasing you. I can’t imagine why.”
