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She tries to sit up, but struggles. I prop her pillow up higher and lean her head against it gently. She really doesn’t know how to let anyone look after her.

“I’ve been having to keep Cara and Cass at bay the last few hours. They’ve been trying to get in here. Cyrus had to have stern words.” I joke. She doesn’t seem like herself as if her mind is somewhere else.

“Did Doc say anything else about my heart?” she asks, clearly worried.

“You have nothing to worry about, trust me. If there was something to worry about I’d be driving you out of state to a specialist,” I vow. She chuckles. Her smile and laugh resets my mood. No matter how angry I am, she only has to smile at me to get me back on track. She once called me her anchor, but what she doesn’t realize yet is that she’s mine too.

EMILIA

Iwake in a daze. I’m not in my room. My bed has rails running along both sides and there’s medical equipment everywhere. The memories, coming back in flashes. Right, chest infection, I collapsed in the store.

I glance around the room familiarizing myself with it. It’s small, blood pressure machines and all sorts of equipment around the room. The strong smell of disinfectant is bringing up nausea but I don’t mind, at least it’s clean. I turn to my left and Kade is slumped in the armchair next to the bed, fast asleep.

I wonder if Tom knows about this. We’re tempting fate Kade being here right now. I’m on edge, constantly fearful and worried that Tom is going to find out. I can’t seem to stay away from him. This is the first time I’ve been happy. I can see a future for myself. I don’t feel swallowed by the darkness.

“Hey,” Kade grumbles. Stretching his arms above his head, his hair ruffled in sleep. He is still the most gorgeous man I have ever met.

“Good morning, Sergeant,” I purr. I love the reaction I get when I use his rank. I know he’s getting ready to pin me down. Maybe not in the health wing though, that’d be a bad idea…right?

“Viper, don’t even start. You’re practically bedridden,” he warns. I roll my eyes at him.

“I swear, I’m going to fuck the attitude right out of you when you’re better,” he warns again.

“I hope that’s a promise.” I bite my lower lip and wink at him, just like I did when we first met.

“Fuck’s sake.” He sighs and looks to the ceiling. I can’t hold the chuckle inside. I love the way he reacts to me. Like his restraint is held by a thin thread, ready to break at any moment.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Doc says, entering the room with his chart. I’m praying he says I can go home. Not that I want to go home. I’m sure Tom will be making his visit soon.

“I’m happy for you to go home, the antibiotics are working, your fever is down too. I just need your signature for the EEG,” he says, handing me the clipboard. I know what’s wrong with my heart. It’s being shocked with electric voltage every time I displease Tom. I don’t need a test to tell me that.

“I would prefer it if you did the test Doc, is that possible?” I ask. I might be able to convince him to keep the source a secret. I wouldn’t be able to hide it if I went to a hospital.

“Sure, I’ll arrange it for two weeks’ time. You can go home. Make sure you rest and finish the medication, even if you feel better,” he advises.

“Thanks, Doc.” I give him a smile, and he returns it and leaves. Kade looks at me with relief in his eyes. I must have worried him. He cares for me, and I love him. I don’t know what it will mean if he returns the sentiment, I haven’t told him how I feel out of utter fear. Everyone who loves me ends up either dead or hurt. I can’t let that happen to him. I won’t.

“Listen, I don’t think you going home is a good idea, you’re still not well, and you need someone to watch over you… so you’re staying with me.” It wasn’t a question. That is not a good idea at all. Even if the ring doesn’t have GPS, Tom will know I didn’t stay in my apartment, he always knows.

“Kade, I can’t stay with you,” I respond bluntly. He knows all of this but still insists.

“It wasn’t a question, Sweetheart, Aaron is working on planting an image of you going into your apartment. It’s all being worked out. This isn’t negotiable, alright. I’ll carry you out of here kicking and screaming if I have to,” he warns. “You know I will.” I have no doubt he will.

“Fine, but just one night, I can’t risk more than that.” I try and be reasonable with him but he doesn’t answer. He looks at me with his usual sexy smirk. He thinks he’s going to get his way, but I know that all I have to do is say please, and he won’t deny me.

I feel so much better, but I still feel off. My balance is not as good as it normally is, and my vision is still blurry. This can’t be from the infection. I quickly get dressed whilst Kade gets the rest of my stuff, and I meet him outside. He hands me a helmet. The excitement bubbles from my stomach, my legs shaking with anticipation. I love bikes. I used to have my own until Tom somehow sold it one day without my knowledge, and I haven’t been able to afford another one. This is going to be fun.

KADE

Ihand her the helmet and she is beaming with happiness, she’s practically glowing. If I had known a ride on my bike would get me this reaction I would have taken her sooner.

She takes the helmet, puts it on and fastens the safety strap underneath her chin, like she’s an expert. She climbs on the front, turns the engine over, and revs. She knows exactly what she’s doing. Just when I thought she couldn’t get any more attractive, she goes and does this. I’m in serious trouble. She would look absolutely breathtaking in leathers clinging to every curve. The way she sits, her ass stuck out as she leans down. If I stare at her any longer I’ll take her right here.

“So you know how to ride a bike?” I question.

“Surprised… Sergeant?” she teases.

“Viper, what have I told you about that?” I growl. She is so tempting, I have never felt the urge to fuck someone in public before. She brings out the feral animal in me. She is pure addiction. One that I don’t want to get rid of.