“They wouldn’t try, not with you by my side, Declan. There’s not a man alive who have the balls to stand up to you.”
Declan chuckled. “Are you okay?”
She placed a hand to her abdomen as another sharp pain hit her.
“I’m fine.”
She was not fine. Something was very definitely wrong. But she didn’t want to worry Declan. Everything would be all right, just as soon as she got home.
Bethany increased her pace, determined to get home sooner rather than later. She got a few steps ahead of Declan and that’s when her knees buckled and she fell to the ground.
“Bethany!” Declan shouted and knelt beside her, flipping her body over. “Jesus, you’re bleeding.”
Chapter 35
He’d failed as a bodyguard. She’d almost died three times now. All on his watch. Fuck. She’d be better off without him. He’d caused her nothing but pain. Hell, he couldn’t even keep her out of danger. Some bodyguard.
“I don’t like hospitals.”
Declan raised an eyebrow from his seat beside the examining table on which Bethany sat. Her jacket had been removed and she had been given something for the pain and now reclined awkwardly in an effort not to tear the wound while she waited for someone to treat her.
“Neither do I.”
In fact, he was pretty damn sick of them. First, there had been his mother’s regular visits which had led into a full-time stay where she had eventually succumbed to cancer, then there had been Riley’s appendicitis and his own countless visits over the years with various injuries due to his career and the more recent stay and physical therapy. Now he was here with Beth and she had a fucking stab wound. One she’d acquired on his watch. He wasn’t happy.
He’d been terrified since the moment he’d rolled her onto her back and saw the long, jagged cut in her jacket which shined brightly when the light of day hit the dampness of her blood.
He had already spent the first ten minutes of their time in the hospital on the phone with Hawke. He’d called the man from the car as they had left the cemetery and had told him what happened. Harbour Bay Police were now on scene interrogating people. Bethany had told him a man had what she had thought at the time ‘accidentally’ bumped into her right before the pain had started. He had relayed that information to Hawke before laying into Beth for not telling him sooner.
The door to the examination room opened and a gorgeous woman with black hair and blue eyes entered. Rose Doyle smiled when her gaze met his and she shook her head. Her five-foot-four frame was swamped in unflattering scrubs and a stethoscope hung around her neck. In her capable hands, she held Bethany’s admission forms.
“You can’t stay away, can you? You know we don’t give out discounts for regular visits, right?”
Rose was a real sweetheart, and while she was known as the sweetest and youngest of the Doyle daughters and the shyest, while on duty, she didn’t think twice about ordering you around. He’d made the mistake of giving her lip once and he would never repeat it.
“It’s your fabulous care.”
He didn’t miss Bethany’s raised eyebrow as her gaze bounced from Rose to him and back to Rose. When Rose turned to her patient Bethany quickly looked away to find the poster on the wall about pancreatic cancer thoroughly interesting.
“Hello, Bethany, my name is Rose. I’m an RN here and I’ve come to look you over.”
“Be my guest.”
Rose moved towards Bethany and lifted up the cloth the admissions nurse had provided them to stop the bleeding. “That looks quite nasty but thankfully the blade hit fatty tissue. It could’ve easily been fatal.”
“I guess we can thank the fact that my attacker was in a rush and had little time and opportunity to execute his plan properly.”
“Oh my.” Rose moved a stool beside the table and rolled a small cabinet towards her, opening the top drawer and retrieving a sterile syringe and small vial filled with clear liquid. “I’m just going to numb the area so you won’t feel the needle. Once the numbing agents starts to work, I’ll keep the stitches small so they don’t leave a huge scar.”
“Thank you.”
“No worries, just try to relax and not think about what I’m doing.”
Fifteen minutes later, Rose had finished. She pulled him aside.
“What’s going on with you?”
“Nothing.”
Her eyes narrowed and she stared him down. “Liar. You’ve been pacing like a wild animal the whole time.”
A deep gush of air escaped his lungs. “I don’t like hospitals.”
“That’s not the only reason.”
“You want the list?”
Her lips flattened. “Declan.”
“She’s hurt because of me.”
“That’s not true. I may not know exactly what happened but I know you’d never allow someone to get hurt. You can’t control everything. I bet she doesn’t blame you.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not so sure.”
“Stop beating yourself up. You’re not the bad guy.”
Wasn’t he? Beth would probably have something to say about that. He’d made too many mistakes. Hurt her terribly.
Rose patted his arm. “Just keep taking care of her. Seems like she could use a friend.”
“Is everything okay?” Beth’s voice held a slight wobble.
Rose spun back to her patient, plastering a confident and reassuring smile on her face.
“Absolutely. Just giving Declan some care instructions.”
Beth’s face said she didn’t believe it.
“If you pop a stitch I advise you to come here immediately. If I’m not on duty one of the other nurses will take good care of you.”
Bethany nodded and Declan helped her down from the table. “Thanks, Rose.”
“Just be careful and take it easy Bethany, you too, Declan. Riley will pitch a fit if anything happens to you.”
“I’ll try my best.”
“That’s all we can ask.” Rose squeezed Beth’s shoulder gently then returned to the admissions desk for her next patient.
He held Bethany close as they headed down the white hallway, the scent of disinfectant clogging his throat.
“Is she your old girlfriend?”
“Who Rose?”
An exasperated sigh left her lips. “Yes, Rose. Who else would I be talking about?”
His lips curled. “No, Rose isn’t my ex. She’s family.” An eyebrow arched, but it was in her eyes where he read her scepticism.
“Seriously. She’s Riley’s sister-in-law. Her husband, Nick’s older sister.”
“Oh.”
Despite what had transpired between them and his vow not to allow it to happen again, he liked knowing she’d been jealous.
“She’s very pretty.”
“I suppose.”
As the saying went, he preferred blondes. He still wasn’t sure what to do about Beth. Or where they went from there. She slowed her pace. He fell back in line with her.
“You okay?”
“Sure.” She clenched her jaw.
He fought the urge to roll his eyes. Not asking permission, he scooped her into his arms. Her arms looped around his neck, securing her to him.
“You don’t have to carry me.”
“I don’t know. I think I’ll have to keep you this close always. Any further and you seem to find trouble.”
“No complaint here.” She rested her head on his shoulder and melted against him. Her exhale fanned across his neck and throat. “Who do you think he worked for? Copeland or Hunter?”
“Doesn’t matter. Neither are going to get another chance at you.”
He still reeled at almost losing her, unable to contemplate a life where she wasn’t in it.
He didn’t have a clue what he should do. For him. For her. For them.
There were a million and one reasons he should keep his distance and just as many to remain close at hand.
Chapter 36
Someone had stabbed her.
But who? Hunter’s man? Or someone who worked for Walt Copeland? She had a lot of enemies. Some she had never met, never dealt with. Not bad for a twenty-five-year-old who rarely leaves the comfort of her home.
Damn her father. This was all his fault. He should never have made a deal with Hunter. A deal with the devil would’ve been less risky. He should’ve told her the business was in jeopardy. She could’ve helped him. She could’ve prevented so many deaths.
Her heart ached as she thought about Ashley and Jesse. No matter how old she got and what she did she would always remember this time in her life, would always remember Ash and Jesse and how their lives were cut short.
Bethany sat up, biting back a yelp of pain. She was feeling her wound more today than yesterday. Probably because she wasn’t filled with painkillers. She could certainly go a couple right about now.
She glanced up as a perfunctory knock sounded at her bedroom door right before it opened. Declan strode through the opening carrying a small handheld table laden down with a delicious smelling breakfast.
Her stomach growled. “For service like this, I should get hurt more often.”
Lucky her. He was patient and kind. Attentive. Even beyond his duties. He cared. She liked being someone’s priority for once. Even if he was being paid.
Even if he didn’t want to care.
Declan glared at her attempt at humour. “Don’t you dare. You’ve already cost me ten years off my life because of that stunt and I believe I have grown several grey hairs overnight.”
“Again my doing?”
“Well, it’s certainly not mine. My life was completely boring before you entered it and threw me for a loop.”
She choked on her rebuttal. “Excuse me? You were shot just before you met me. How is that boring?”
“Because it was only happening to me.” He laid the table over her thighs. “I didn’t have you to worry about.”
“Thank you for taking such good care of me.”
She needed him to know she appreciated his concern and treatment. Her anger with him, while not completely gone, was put where it belonged—in the past.
She didn’t believe his harsh words. Only the intent behind them. Call her stupid, she knew the type of man he was. Declan would never do anything he didn’t want to and while he may regret it for whatever reasons now, at the time he’d been just as involved as she.
She understood. She really did.
While she didn’t necessarily agree, she did understand. Complications existed between them which she didn’t know how to get past.
She still hurt, her feelings raw and bruised. Her heart ached. She’d believed they’d shared something amazing but she couldn’t—wouldn’t believe it had only been sympathy sex. If she’d been more experienced she would know how to deal with her pain and confusion. Known if she still stood a chance if only she dared to reach out. She didn’t doubt he cared for her but it wasn’t the way she would’ve liked and soon he’ll be leaving her without a backwards glance.
Declan nodded. “Eat up. I want to change the dressing on that wound before I leave.”
“You know I doubt Florence Nightingale ordered her patients around.” Bethany tucked into her sausages, bacon, toast and poached eggs. She washed it down with some orange juice.
“You’re the one who pointed out my lack of a bedside manner.” His gaze raked over her face, looking for what she wasn’t sure. “How are you feeling this morning?”
“A little sore but I guess that should be expected. I’m also a little exhausted. You know the type. You’ve slept for ages but your body keeps wanting to pull you under for more.”
He gently pushed aside her hair, the back of his hand pressed against her forehead. “No fever. That’s a good sign.”
“You’re not going to make me stay in bed all day, are you? Have you any idea how absolutely boring bed rest is?”
Declan smiled. “As you pointed out earlier I have been shot. I’m well aware of the evils of bed rest.”
“Good. So long as we’re on the same page. I can still rest lying on the chaise and sitting in the sun. I’m not stupid. I’m not about to be running any marathons.”
“Are you done?” He eyed her as she swallowed the last bite.
She nodded. “Yes, that was delicious. Who do I owe my thanks, you or Quinn?”
“Davies. I only delivered.”
“Well thank you for the delivery. I haven’t been this spoilt since forever.”
Declan snorted. “Well, all the pampering is over. It’s time to change that dressing.” He pulled her blanket aside and lifted her to her feet.
“I knew it was too good to last.” She followed him to the ensuite.
Declan flipped the lid of the toilet seat and gently pushed her down. “Most good things are like that.”
She sucked in her breath as he folded her tank top up over her breasts, his fingers grazing her sensitive skin ever so slightly. He pulled back the tape that held the gauze to her skin and examined the wound.
“Looking good.” He prepared the antiseptic. “This might sting a little.”
He dabbed the antiseptic over the jagged cut . She closed her eyes.
“I suppose you called James about my little incident?”
Declan nodded.
“The poor man. I believe I see him more than his wife does.”
“Aimee understands…on occasion.”
“What is she—Aimee—like?”
Declan began taping another gauze bandage over her wound. His movements were quick and economic but still gentle and tender.
“She’s a nice woman. Very business minded. She owned her own once so I believe. Was really good at it too. I think you’d like her. Aimee is very easy to get along with and Hawke loves her more than anything.”
“Like your sister does her husband?”
Bethany noticed the softening of Declan’s face at the mentioning of Riley. It must be wonderful to be on the receiving end of such love.
“Yeah. Riley’s really happy. I’m glad she finally has someone to share her life with. Someone who loves her and treats her right. She deserves that. You deserve that.”
“Declan—”
“Forget I said anything.”
That was damn near impossible. The only man who had ever elicited any response from her happened the one man she couldn’t have. There were days when life just plain sucked.
“Did James tell you they found the name of the shooter?”
“Yeah. Christian Jackson. Low-level scumbag but apparently effective at what he does. If I ever get my hands on him.”
Beth shivered at the coldness of his voice. She had no doubt whatever he had in mind would be slow and painful.
“At least when they catch him, Jesse and Ashley will have justice.”
“Let’s go out tonight.”
Her heart hammered at his abrupt suggestion. White spots briefly danced in her vision as blood left her face. She swayed. The outside world held little appeal. Not now after everything she’d been through.
“I-I don’t know.” She wrapped her arms around herself, a chill racing down her spine.
He scratched the back of his head, the action lifting the hem of his shirt to reveal his toned stomach.
“I promise you’ll be safe.” This time. He didn’t say it, but the words hung in the air between them. “No one will come near you surrounded by men with guns. Especially not cops. You’ll be well guarded.”
She wasn’t excited by the prospect of guns but it would be nice to pretend her life wasn’t a gigantic mess.
“I don’t blame you for any of those incidents.”
He held her gaze. “I do. You need to get away from here. This place is toxic.”
She had a
feeling he didn’t just mean tonight. But before her father returned and the little freedom she had vanished. From what Quentin had said, Dirk Bennett was not impressed with the number of times she’d appeared in the newspaper barely scraping through the latest attempt. And yet, it hadn’t prompted him to return home. His business continued to take precedence over her. The same story as it has been her whole life.
Beth wet her lips. Could she be normal for a couple of hours? She wasn’t sure she remembered how.
Chapter 37
Tanner’s Steak and Grill was a dive. But in a good way, looking much like it would have when it had first opened back in the seventies with wooden tables, a bar she noted which had three options, beer, wine or one of the J’s—Jim, Jack or Johnny and as a sign proclaimed ‘a menu to have your taste buds throw a party in your mouth’.
Declan removed her jacket and then his own as the heat inside Tanner’s hit them. They were both dressed in jeans and a cotton shirt, the only difference was the colours and their shoes, he wore black with leather work boots and she wore pale pink with ballet flats, her stitches making her choice extremely limited. Heels were out. Her pale, worn image reflected back from the mirror behind the bar as they walked past, towards the back of the building and she shuddered.
The only make-up she had been able to add without tugging on her stitches had been a peach lip-gloss. Her hair hung loosely down her back, having been unable to do anything with—including brushing it. The first time she had tried, her wound had protested painfully and she had ended up being at the mercy of Declan, who surprisingly after raising his younger sister had no idea what to do with her hair once it had been brushed, so she had little choice than to leave it loose.
One hand rested over her wound, each step tugging at the stitches. She clenched her jaw at the continual ache. But she refused to complain. It could’ve been a whole lot worse.
Her shoes stuck to the roughly sanded wood floor and she worried about losing them but not as much as she worried about the upcoming dinner. What would they think of her? Would they see Bethany Bennett, the woman she desperately tried to figure out or Bethany Bennett, heiress and the daughter of a criminal? Or at least a man who skirted the law. She wasn’t entirely sure why it mattered so much to her. It wasn’t as if she would ever see these people again after tonight but then in the years to come she didn’t want to be remembered as ‘that awkward girl’ when they spoke about Declan’s past, most likely to his new girlfriend.
Gilded Cage (Harbour Bay Book 6) Page 18
