Mmm,mine. Every part of me likes that idea. “Yes.”
“I don’t have much choice, do I?” She squares her shoulders. “Okay, but I have conditions.”
“A negotiation.” I repress a smile. I’ve won. “I’m not usually the type to accept anyone calling the shots, but given the circumstances…”
“I’m keeping my job.” She fires it out.
“You’ll spend all your time not at work here,” I reply. Not my preferred option to have her away from me, but clearly her employment is important in some way. “With me.”
Her brows knit, and she pauses. “That’s not necessary?—”
“It is,” I correct her firmly. I can protect her if she’s with me, and I can put guards into the hospital, but even in its weakened state the Loughton mafia will discover my change of residence, and Callie would be easy pickings if she goes out alone.
“Alright. But only until you’ve healed.”
“How long will that be?” This matters more than it should.
“Humm.” Her gaze slides to my arm, as though she can see through the clean shirt and jacket I put on. “It’ll need frequent dressing changes for two weeks. Maybe a little longer if it doesn’t heal neatly. Three weeks? Maybe four if it’s slow?”
“A good incentive to ensure you do your job,” I reply darkly. Or perhaps a reason for me to put up with a bit of pain to keep her close.
“No threats.” She holds her index finger up, as though she’d wag it at me for being naughty. “If I’m doing this, it’s an exchange of services.”
“Of course.” I sit up. “Now, fetch your stuff, and we’ll go to my house. There’s?—”
“No.” She smiles innocently.
I sigh. “Please be reasonable. This place is not adequate for my needs, or for you?—”
“I meant it. If you’re my housemate here, I’ll help you. But we’re living here. In a cheap, tatty, houseshare.”
She clearly thinks she’s got me. But I’m far more determined than she gives me credit for.
“I’ll pay you more—” I growl.
Her eyes go pale with insult. “I’m not that sort of person, Mr Maddox.”
“Reid,” I correct smoothly. I’ll pay either way. She’s smart, and sweet, and the cheerful opposite of my gloomy self. That’s worth a lot. “And I wasn’t implying anything like that.”
“Okay.” She nods and takes a shaky breath. “Reid.”
My cold, bleak heart surges with unexpected emotion. Triumph at the end of a day full of failure.
“I guess we’d better check your wound, then. It might need cleaning again before leaving it overnight.”
Her smile is a bit resigned, but I don’t care. I have what I want.
“I’ll help you get out of that shirt.” Her voice is brisk and professional, but she approaches me as though I’m a tiger and she wants to pet the big murder kitty, but is aware of how dangerous that impulse is. Lowering herself, she sitsnext to me, careful to ensure no part of her is less than an inch from me.
“How is it feeling?”
“The pain hasn’t kicked in yet. Not properly.” There’s still too much adrenaline pumping around my body from finding Callie, being close to Callie, and anticipation of her touch. Probably from the gunfight, too, though that feels like a long time ago.
Callie removes the sling first, then helps me shrug off my suit jacket. I unbutton my shirt with leisurely intent.
I catch her watching me, and she darts her gaze away, focusing on her knees as though they’re the answer to everything. The cufflinks snap off, loud in this big quiet house.
Without comment, she helps take off my shirt sleeve, her gloved fingers warm and careful as she does so, and the relief that my skin doesn’t crawl at someone’s touch is indescribable.
