by Stella Bryce
Chapter 10 Lily
She’d have one chance. He’d boarded the first window, but he’d have to go down the ladder to get the second board. The window was her only option; the door wouldn’t budge. If she timed it just right and could get through the window, she could tip the ladder while he climbed on it, throwing him back. That would give her time as he writhed below. She felt like a caged beast trying to escape from a zoo. She needed to get out. Panic was setting in.
He was trying to close her in, shut her down. He had no intentions of letting her go. It was him or her. Lily knew what she had to do.
He stepped onto the ladder and started to climb down for the second board. Terrified, but using the last bit of adrenalin she could find, Lily burst through the window, glass shattering around her. She landed on the small porch roof-top, thankful she didn’t roll off. He quickly realized what was happening and started to climb back up the ladder. He needed to stop her. She lunged forward and pushed the edges of the ladder. As it fell backward, her husband slammed against the tree behind him and then slumped onto the ground. She couldn’t tell if he was still breathing, but he was unconscious.
Lily screamed bloody murder as the panic laced through her. She had no way to get down. The roof was higher than she thought. She’d miss the branch of the tree, and knew it was too large for her to get her hands around if she jumped. If she didn’t find a way down and he was still alive, he could come back up after her. If he was dead, she would rot up there until someone found both of their bodies. She couldn’t break through the bedroom door to the other side.
Lily cried and said a prayer. She jumped for the tree, and tried to grab on. Her fingers dug into the bark, and then she fell straight down beside her husband. Pain wracked through her legs. She was certain one was broken.
Her husband cried in a soft whimper. He was still alive. He clawed at her and grabbed her ankle. Lily screamed and kicked him, trying to pull away. They were both wounded, uncertain how badly hurt the other was. Lily pulled herself as far away from him as she could, clawing at the grass, dragging her body, unable to stand.
Her husband had a pool of blood draining out of him. He didn’t have long now, but if he was going to die, she was going with him. He’d make sure of that.
Chapter 11 Phoenix
Everything inside of him needed to break free. Phoenix had to find her. It was getting harder to hold his bear in. It wanted to come out; he felt territorial. He’d been unable to focus, but lately they’d lowered his meds since he was cooperative. He had some of his senses about him again.
Only Lily found Phoenix, before he found her. Based on the cuts and scrapes, they told him that she’d crawled, dragging her body with a broken leg and a broken ankle, and that when she got to the roadway she flagged somebody down. She had bruising on her face as well. It was obvious that she’d been through a living hell. Lily begged the driver to bring her here, not to her own hospital. She would contact the police at the hospital. She was recovering in another wing. The last thing she said before she fell into unconsciousness was, ‘let Phoenix Monroe know I’m here,’ and then she closed her eyes.
They wouldn’t let him down to see her. She was on the other side of the hospital, and he was in the locked down section. He had to wait until she could come to him. His insides ached on hearing about her injuries. He needed to see her, to sit by her side as she had sat by his.
When Lily stabilized from the trauma and stress, they agreed to wheel her to his room at her request. She gave her statement to the police department, and while her story checked out based on the things they found, her husband was nowhere to be found. She last saw him in a pool of blood on the ground. Lily froze. Was he still alive? Was he coming to get her? She panicked. He wouldn’t forget what she’d done to him.
When they wheeled Lily into Phoenix’s room, horror and relief washed over him. His angel was back, but she was broken. He wanted to kill the man that harmed his sweet Lily. Phoenix stood to greet her, and rushed to her side. His big, masculine hand was tender and soft. He drew it through her hair and leaned in to kiss her forehead the way she had done to him.
Lily tried to smile at him, but she was scared. Her eyes housed fear. But with Phoenix, she was safe. She wanted to stay by his side. She couldn’t leave him. He’d protect her, just as she’d watched over him.
Chapter 12 Lily
Lily could barely speak. She wanted to tell him what happened, to explain. It wasn’t her fault that she wasn’t here on time. She wanted to be there for him. It didn’t matter. She was here now.
There was anger brewing behind his eyes. She saw the shock in his face, though he thought he was hiding it. Lily knew he was being careful, since the attendants were always watching him.
He pulled the chair up beside her wheelchair. “Whatever happened, I’ll make it right,” he whispered after they left.
“It’s finished,” she lied. He already had enough of a burden. She wouldn’t give him more. “I’ll heal. It’s only a few broken bones.”
“Your face,” he said, wanting to reach out and stroke her cheek tenderly. He was afraid he’d hurt her with his big clumsy hands.
“Yeah,” she choked out. “I don’t feel much like talking. Could I just sit with you for a while?”
“I’ll protect you. I’ll keep you safe. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you this time. He’ll never hurt you again. You’re safe with me.” He knew who it was. Her ring was gone, and the look in her eyes said it all.
“I know. I knew I would be.” She closed her eyes and slumped in her wheelchair, the pain medication making her tired.
Lily woke in Phoenix’s bed. He was sleeping in the corner chair. He’d lifted her up and moved her at some point. She remembered none of it. When the attendants came to take her out of his room, he asked for more time. She was sleeping peacefully. He didn’t want to wake her; she’d been through enough.
Lily watched Phoenix as he napped. It warmed her to know she was in his arms, if only for a moment. She was falling for the man that she still barely knew. Their time was together, always together, but rarely talking.
She couldn’t move by herself, but with the need to use the bathroom facility, she had to wake him. She felt like a nuisance. In her own room, the nurse came to help her. “Phoenix,” she said softly.
He stirred, looked around as if on guard, and then turned to look at her. Something was different. His eyes…
“Phoenix?” She tilted her head, not sure what she was seeing.
His eyes glowed in an almost greenish tint, and then faded back to his normal color. It reminded her of when lights hit an animal’s eye. She watched him shake his head and come out of whatever daze he was in.
“Are you okay?” He jumped up to check on her.
“I am; it’s okay. I just need to use the bathroom. Could you call the nurse? I really shouldn’t be here taking up your space.”
“It’s okay, I’ll be leaving soon. Take all the time you need.” He walked to the edge of the door and asked an attendant for help. Lily needed a hand.
“You’re getting out?” Lily questioned him. How did she not know? Was he really? Or was he just saying it so she wouldn’t worry about him?
“I’m going to talk to the doctor. Everything will be sorted out, and then I’ll watch over you. He won’t come near you again, Lily. He won’t ever touch you again.” His shoulders were broad. On seeing him standing, Lily realized just how tall he was. Lying in bed, his size seemed different. Yet, standing, pacing, she saw him again how she saw him that day in the hospital when he tore off his gown. He was a mass of muscle, a wall of strength. His size spoke for itself.
Chapter 13 Phoenix
Phoenix sat in the office, daring the doctor to ask him tougher questions. He’d answer whatever she threw at him. His focus had shifted. His mourning was still tucked away, but his territorial protective nature had stepped up front and center. His angel had been hurt, and she needed him to stand guard at her side. He’d do wh
atever it took to get released. And then he’d hunt his prey. He’d take out whoever did this to her. She never told him, but he knew. He’d just have to figure out how to find him.
His mother was an accident. He knew that now. This wouldn’t be. He’d shred the man for what he did to Lily. No woman deserved that.
The doctor studied his face. “Why the sudden change?”
“It’s time.”
“It’s the girl,” the doctor stated.
“What’s your point?” He didn’t have time for this. She either did it his way, or he broke free and started his hunt.
“And your mother?”
“An accident. A tragic accident. I’ll be tortured forever that I couldn’t help her, but I realize there was nothing I could do.” Matter-of-fact answers, almost rehearsed, the doctor noted.
Phoenix studied the woman holding his file. “When can I leave?”
“I don’t think you’re ready; maybe in a few days, another week. When I’m confident you won’t be a danger to yourself.”
“I see.” He knew there was no other way. His bear would get him out of the facility, since the doctor wouldn’t release him. He would have guards positioned at Lily’s door while he was hunting. He’d hire his own damn professional bear guards. Either way, he was breaking out of there tonight. He had plans…plans to take down the man who hurt the woman he’d grown to love. He’d make him pay for what he did.
Phoenix pictured sinking his bear teeth and claws into the man’s neck and shaking him like a rag doll, but only after making him aware it was payback for the damage he did to his angel. There would be nothing left of the man by the time he was finished. He’d be sure of it. The man would cease to exist.
Chapter 14 Lily
Lily shifted in her bed the best she was able. She’d be released sooner than she wanted to be. While she was pretty messed up, they wouldn’t keep her there eternally. She’d be sent on her way, casted up. The problem was, she didn’t want to go home. She didn’t want to leave. And she wanted to stay by Phoenix’s side. Only, when she had an attendant bring her to his wing, there was a problem.
Phoenix was nowhere to be found. He’d gone missing. And it wasn’t based on the doctor’s instructions. People were alerted, the police and staff were searching the wing. They couldn’t figure it out…until they found the busted out window in a vacant room. The only thing that didn’t make sense was the bits of fur that caught on the window. It was fur, not hair. Nothing made sense.
“What do you mean? How could he be gone? He was just here. A patient doesn’t just get up and leave.” Lily panicked. Something was wrong, very wrong. She would have paced if she could. Instead she was left to sit in a wheelchair. Her stomach curdled. He left her. He broke out. He was gone.
She remembered his breezy comment about being released soon. He wasn’t making sense. There was no indication he’d be leaving soon. Sure, he’d made progress, but he had a long way to go before he’d be set free. Only he didn’t wait for them to decide. He apparently set himself free.
Lily closed her eyes, sinking into the loss. Her heart sank lower in her chest. She thought he was hers. She started to believe he was. They’d bonded, but now he was gone. She had nobody left in her world.
A nurse wheeled Lily back to her room. She was unsettled, but unable to go anywhere or do anything. She was trapped like a rat. When two large men came to visit her, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Were they here to finish what her husband started? “How did you get in here? Who are you?” Fear laced through her voice. They were brawny and massive, complete powerhouses.
“You’re safe. It’s okay,” one of them said, trying to calm her.
“I’ll scream.” She held up the nurse’s call button. “Come any closer and I’ll call for help.”
“Lily,” they started.
“How do you know my name?” Lily tried to shift back in her bed, but froze with fear. Ice ran through her veins.
She pushed the buzzer and screamed as one of the men reached into his pocket.
Chapter 15 Phoenix
Phoenix didn’t want to have to break free, but there was no other way. He had little to go by, but would find the man if he was still alive, whatever it took. By the time Phoenix was done with him, there would be no question. He’d be dead.
Phoenix was still a little sore from breaking through the thick glass at the hospital. They weren’t regular windows, they were thicker. His fur caught on a piece of jagged glass that cut into him. Thankfully, his heavy coat made the slice more superficial and buffered the jab.
He waited until nightfall to make his escape so people wouldn’t report a bear jumping through a hospital window. It was a risky move, but he had no choice. Phoenix took a heavy fall, but quickly rolled and took off running when he hit the ground. He founded a wooded area not far away, and ran for the safety of foliage and cover. He’d shift back to a man before he went back into the open. No need calling attention to himself.
Phoenix leaned against a thick tree in a wooded stretch. His breathing was ragged. He realized being caged up for so long, he wasn’t as strong as he usually was. He’d have to regain some of his strength and lung capacity. Withering away in a hospital bed had done him little good.
He let out one loud, bellowing call into the night. Letting his bear spirit free, he embraced the familiar feel of his animal form. Sadly, he couldn’t stay this way for long. He had work to do. First things first, he had to protect Lily and go after the man who hurt her.
Phoenix scanned through his plan one last time. Hunter and Jett would help him, no questions asked. They went back a long way, and would be there for him no matter what. He just needed to get to a phone. He was still too far from home, and there was no time to waste.
Shifting back to his human body, Phoenix realized he’d need street clothes. Crap, too many stupid little things to deal with. All he wanted to do was hunt his prey and take him down. Without money on him, he was forced to make the trip back to his home, somewhere he didn’t want to go. He’d move faster as a bear, but be less obvious as a man. Phoenix shook his head. Time was of the essence. He knew it wasn’t smart, but he needed to move quickly. After debating it for what felt like too long, he shifted back to his bear form and shot out of the woods. He’d need to stay on the edges of town and follow a path that didn’t draw light or attention on him. At least he had the safety of the night.
Phoenix was exhausted when he made it home, but there was no time to spare. He woke Hunter with a call, late in the night. He was in desperate need of help. He gave him what information he could, and asked Hunter and Jett to personally handle this situation. There was nobody else he trusted as much with Lily’s safety. Hunter owned a top notch bodyguard service, one that Phoenix worked with for a stretch, so he knew what they were capable of, but Lily was his angel, and that meant he needed to call in a personal favor. Hunter and Jett were the best of the best.
Chapter 16 Lily
When Hunter and Jett showed up to Lily’s room, she panicked, not knowing who they were. Hunter tried to pull out his badge and identification, but she’d already reached for the call button.
“Phoenix Monroe sent us,” he shot out, hoping to stop the train from crashing too fast. “We’re here to help.”
“Phoenix?” She dropped the call button, but she’d already pushed it.
A nurse came in. “Do you need help? Are these men bothering you?”
“No. I’m sorry, I hit it by mistake. I’m so sorry. I must have sat on it.” She apologized and waited for the nurse to leave. The nurse eyed the men, letting them know she was watching them. As she left the room, she asked an attendant to stand outside the room.
“We’re body guards,” Hunter started. “We’re here to protect you. Phoenix contacted us late last night.” He reached forward to offer his hand, but Lily stared at it. It looked like a massive paw, his fingers huge and powerful. His hands looked like they could crush hers without any effort. Hunter continued. �
��Jett will be outside of your room at all times. I’ll be here until I’m given the all clear. I only answer to Phoenix, nobody else, not even you. Nobody will hurt you. You’re under our protection. All you need to know is that you’re safe. I’ll work out the arrangements with the hospital.”
Lily wasn’t sure what to make of it all. “Where did he go?” She was desperate to hear any news on Phoenix. He was all she could think of.
“I’m sorry, I can’t say anymore. He just wants you to know that you can rest easy. You’re safe. Nobody can hurt you now.” Hunter sat in the corner chair, and Jett took his position at the door. He spoke with the attendant and then the nurse, informing them that they were private body guards here for her safety after a domestic abuse incident. They were hired to keep her safe. They wouldn’t leave until they were given instructions to do so.
It was amazing. Phoenix was protecting her. Even when he left the hospital, he wanted to watch over her. He cared about her as much as she cared about him. It was unspoken, but it was real. He would take care of her, she had no doubt. She just wished he’d come back. She worried about him and what he might do.
Lily looked at Hunter and knew he could handle whatever came his way. He assured her they were more than capable of handling anything or anybody, and that she could rest easy. Lily thanked them, but she wouldn’t rest easy until she knew Phoenix was back by her side.
Chapter 17 Phoenix
He didn’t have much to go on, but based on the stories he found in the news, it sounded like the asshole survived his fall. Just barely, but he was alive. He wouldn’t be for long. He would see to it. He pulled the man’s full name from the paper and started the search at local hospitals. It didn’t take long to find the man. There weren’t many places around. He was at the very trauma center where he met Lily.
