Fiona groaned. She was sure her parents were freaking the fuck out, blowing upJoaquín’s phone every ten seconds, wanting an update.
“Just focus on getting better. The doctors weren’t sure what David put in your system, but they did a purge and put you on an IV with fluids.”Joaquínleaned down, kissing her on the forehead before leaving the room.
“How are you feeling?”Vinceasked when they were alone.
“Sore and confused.”
Vincenodded. “Lexi said your knee was swollen but not broken. She put a brace on it to help. Your neck is painful from the needle being jabbed so forcefully.” There was a catch in his voice that gave Fiona pause. He looked so lost and upset.
“I’m okay,” she assured him, taking his hand that rested on the bed next to her. The threat was gone and the man she loved was sitting next to her and her brother wasn’t trying to kill him. Everything was perfect.
“I should have protected you better.” A tear glistened in his eye.
Fiona pulled him forward; he easily got up and climbed in the bed with her. It was a tight fit as hospital beds weren’t made for two, but she wouldn’t complain. David didn’t kidnap her like he planned, andJoaquínandVinceseemed to have mended their friendship. “You couldn’t have known.”
“I shouldn’t have left you alone. Ortiz and I should have talked downstairs, but I was so focused on talking to him and keeping you out of it that I left you vulnerable.”
“I held my own,” she protested.
Vincesqueezed her, planting a kiss on top of her head. “That you did. I’m so proud of you.”
“We’re going to have to practice some more. I had been practicing with David, so he knew every move I was going to make. I need to learn more.”
“Whatever you want, baby.”
“You’re being very agreeable,” she said, looking up at him.
“You asked to be able to make your own decisions. I’m honoring that. I know I won’t always be here so I want you to feel safe whether I’m here or not.”
“I love you.”
Vincedipped his head, sealing his mouth over hers. Fiona opened easily for him, sliding her tongue in his mouth.Vincewas the first to pull away. “We better stop before I start something I can’t finish.”
Fiona knew he was right. She was in no condition for more than kissing right now. “Are you going to tell me what happened? After the needle went into my neck, I blacked out.”
“That’s probably for the best. After Ortiz and I made up, I got a phone call from Squeaker that she caught on the footage at the bar David had slipped something in your drink throughout the night. The back door was locked so I went around front, when I saw David there, hoisting you over his shoulder. Ortiz distracted him while I threw a knife in David’s shoulder.”
“I’m glad you didn’t kill him.” She knew he was more than capable of it and it meant a lot to her that he had spared him even after what David had planned for her.
“He was your friend; I would never cause you undue pain.”
“And for that I love you more. You could have easily killed him, but to spare me, you spared him. Jail is a much more fitting punishment.”
“You’ll never have to see him again,”Vincevowed.
It was over. Truly over. There would be no more threats. She could live her life in peace again. Never having to look over her shoulder or wonder when the next letter would come.
“When can I leave?”
“Lexi said maybe tomorrow. They just want to make sure all of the drug is out of your system first.”
“Good, I never cared for hospitals.”
“Me either. Did you mean what you said to your brother yesterday?”
“Yesterday?” she gasped.
Vincewinced. “Did I forget to mention you’ve been out for a day?” Fiona shook her head. She had lost a whole day. That had been a hell of a drug David had given her. How he got ahold of a strong sedative like that was beyond her. “I brought you in yesterday morning. Thankfully, Lexi was working, and we got you seen quick. So, did you mean it?”
