We lie together in comfortable silence, the sounds of the clubhouse muffled by the closed door.
“Sleep,” Zach murmurs eventually, his voice rough with his approaching slumber.“I’ve got you.”
And I do, drifting off in the safety of his arms.
CHAPTEREIGHT
Xavier
I waketo the buzzing of my phone on the nightstand, its harsh vibration cutting through the peaceful silence.Disoriented, I blink against the dim light filtering through unfamiliar blinds before remembering where I am—Zach’s room at the clubhouse, still under lockdown.
Zach stirs beside me, his arm tightening around my waist.“Ignore it,” he mumbles into my hair, voice thick with sleep.
I reach for the phone anyway, squinting at the screen.It’s the hospital administrator.
“I can’t,” I sigh, sitting up and accepting the call.“Dr.Blane speaking.”
As I listen to the administrator explain the situation—multiple trauma cases coming in and staff shortages due to yesterday’s events—I feel Zach shift beside me.When I glance over, the look on his face is almost comical, a mixture of disbelief and irritation that makes it hard to keep my expression professional.
“Yes, I understand,” I say into the phone, biting my lip to suppress a smile as Zach’s scowl deepens.“I’ll be there in forty minutes.”
When I end the call, Zach is sitting up, hair tousled from sleep, eyes narrowed.“You’re not seriously going in?”
“Three-car pileup on the highway,” I explain, already scanning the floor for my clothes.“They’re short-staffed and expecting at least five critical patients.”
“There’s still an active threat,” he points out, voice tight with frustration.“The Reapers?—”
“Won’t attack the hospital again,” I finish for him, pulling on my jeans.“Not with the police presence that’s been established.And people need help, Zach.”
He runs a hand through his hair, jaw clenched.“Fuck,” he mutters, throwing back the covers and standing.“Give me five minutes to get dressed.”
I can’t hide my amusement as he stalks around the room, yanking open drawers with more force than necessary, muttering under his breath about “stubborn doctors” and “death wishes.”His protective instincts are clearly at war with his understanding of my responsibilities.
“You know, you’re kind of cute when you’re annoyed,” I tease, pulling my shirt over my head.
He shoots me a glare that would probably intimidate anyone else.“This isn’t funny, X.You were literally targeted yesterday.”
“And today I have patients who need me,” I counter, softening my tone.I cross the room to stand in front of him, placing my hands on his chest.“This is my job, Zach.Just like how sometimes you have to do things I don’t like because it’s your responsibility to the club.”
His expression shifts, frustration giving way to something more complex, concern mixed with grudging understanding.He sighs, resting his forehead against mine.
“At least let me arrange an escort,” he says, thumb brushing my cheekbone.“And you wear a vest.”
I blink in surprise.“A bulletproof vest?To work?”
“Under your scrubs,” he clarifies, already reaching for his phone.“Nonnegotiable.”
Part of me wants to argue, to insist I’ll be fine, but the memory of yesterday’s violence is still too fresh.“Okay,” I concede.“The vest.But a subtle escort, nothing that’s going to scare my patients.”
Relief flickers across his face, followed by determination as he fires off a text.“Deal.”
Twenty minutes later, I’m wearing one of the club’s spare bulletproof vests beneath my scrub top.It’s bulkier than I expected, restricting my movement slightly, but not enough to interfere with my ability to work.
Zach checks the fit one last time, his hands moving over me.“It’s not the most comfortable,” he acknowledges, “but it could save your life.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” I say, trying for lightness but not quite succeeding.
His eyes meet mine, serious and intent.“I’ll have two brothers watching the hospital at all times.They’ll be discreet, but they’ll be there.”He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, the gentle gesture at odds with the gravity of his words.“If anything feels wrong, anything at all, you call me immediately.”
