“Would you mind?” I asked.
Briar smiled. “Not at all. In fact, it’s one of my favorite parts of my new position. I like cheering people up. What’s wrong with her?”
“Placenta previa,” Noelle said. Tanya’s situation kept getting worse. She was young, single and about to be put on bed rest. There was no way she’d be able to keep up with the bills, especially without an income.
“Crap,” I said. “She’s still got eleven weeks left. Bed rest is going to be a real problem.”
“The admitting wants to keep her another day or two,” Noelle added.
“And then?”
Noelle shrugged, an attempt to wrest away from the pain of getting too involved in a patient’s life.
“Why don’t I go see her later this morning?” Briar said. “We leave Friday for the concert.”
“It’s this Friday?” I asked, startled. Definitely some details Murphy and I would have to work out. Number one among them was communicating our schedules.
“From what Hayden’s said, they’ll do press today and practice with their fill-in drummer,” Briar said. “That’s the schedule until the concert.”
I shook my head, trying to wrap my mind around the fact I planned to tour with one of the hottest bands in the world. “This is so different from when they were playing pubs in Sydney.”
“You have no idea,” Briar sighed. “It’s the part I like least.” Her eyes softened as they drifted over to Hayden. Jake, Hayden, and Murphy were huddled together, their sun-kissed locks nearly as beautiful as their faces, all set in concentration. “But I can’t imagine being happy without him. So I deal.”
“Smart words,” Noelle, said.
She fell back into her thought, which made me ask, “This about Kent?”
“Hmmm? I don’t know,” Noelle responded, a frown pinching her brows.
“He wants more?” I asked.
Noelle shook her head, her lips pressed together. “He wants to keep doing what he’s doing. But he’d be perfectly fine if I worked around his schedule, his life.”
Briar made a grumbly noise in her throat. “Doctor?” she asked.
Noelle nodded.
“Figured,” she said with a sigh. “There are some really great ones. Like you, Mila.”
“Kent’s one of the good ones,” Noelle responded. “But his schedule is insane.”
“So you’re going to coast along with him until something better comes along?” I asked.
Noelle’s gaze slid over Murphy before landing back on me. “You’re one to talk.”
“It’s . . . we’re complicated,” I sighed as I hugged my arms tighter to my chest.
Briar’s smile turned rueful. “Any relationship worth having is. Once emotions get involved, all that cool logic goes right out the window.” She shook her head. “I sound like my sister. She’s so freaking smart.”
Murphy’s tears last night haunted me. “I’m worried he’s only with me because of the baby. Well, now because he’d feel horrible if Jordan hurt me.”
“I don’t know him well,” Briar said. “In fact, I’ve made a point to avoid him after he tried to keep me away from Hayden, but I can tell you he never looked at any of the women on tour like he looks at you. He wants to bundle you up and hide you from the world.”
“He has,” I said, my voice sour.
“Because he cares about you. And that hug when you came out? Even though you two had just been arguing, he couldn’t bear to be apart. That’s sweet.”
“Not the word I would have chosen for Murphy Etsam, but yeah, it was,” Noelle said.
“How’d you know?” I asked. “That Hayden was worth the risk? The headaches of the travel schedule?”
Briar’s dreamy expression stayed in place, building into a large cat-with-cream smile. “Easy. He ripped my heart out and took it with him when he left. The only way I’d be whole was with him. Thankfully, that goes both ways.”
I glanced over at Murphy, who stared at me. His interest created a powerful reaction in my body.
Oh, how I wanted this man. I hoped when he took my heart on his next trip, I held his.
After Briar, Hayden, and Noelle left—now each with their own security detail since they’d decided to attach themselves more closely to us—Murphy moved his things from the second bedroom. Jake wanted a lie-in and Murphy said he wanted to spoon me. That wasn’t what he wanted, but he did win points for saying so.
“What are you thinking?” he asked when I settled on the side of the bed, too restless to actually lie down.
“One of my patients was admitted to the hospital last night. Briar offered to visit her today, but I’d like to see her. Soon.”
“That’s not a good idea. Not with Jordan still running around, armed and crazed.”
“Murphy, this young woman reminds me so much of me. She’s single. Her boyfriend jumped ship when she found out she was pregnant.”
Based on Murphy’s thin-lipped response, he didn’t like that comparison.
“I’m sorry, that started out badly,” I sighed. “What I mean is, she’s struggling through this pregnancy, fighting and clawing every step of the way to bring this baby into the world. She’s been thrown so many curves, Murphy. The baby,” I swallowed, “the baby likely has Down Syndrome, and she’s never changed her course, never been anything other than a loving mum.”
He sighed. “Do you want to go there now?”
I gripped my shirt. “Do you think it’s safe?”
“I can ask Kevin if you’d like.”
“You don’t think it’s safe,” I whispered.
His arms tightened around me, squeezing too tight. “Christ, Mila. I can’t deal with all this heavy shit. The last time I left, you were shot at.”
“So were you.”
He pressed a kiss to my lips and I melted into him. “For your safety—your sanity—I shouldn’t let you go. But I’m a selfish bastard, and I just can’t control you. So if you want to go to the hospital today, even though it scares the shit out of me, we’ll go visit your patient.”
“Where are you going?” I asked.
“To tell Kevin we’re going to the hospital.”
“Your vitals are good,” I said. No, I purred. It was late afternoon, almost five, by the time we arrived. I’d had to show Murphy how much I appreciated his willingness to compromise even though he didn’t want to. I didn’t complain when, an hour and a half later, just as I finally climbed from our bed, he wanted to reassure himself that I was his.
He’d called Nordstrom when he went to talk to Kevin about my desire to visit the hospital, and one of the personal shoppers created and brought over a new wardrobe for me. Thanks to the fire, my clothing choices were sadly depleted.
Still, I protested, not liking the grandness of the gesture. Murphy whispered how much he wanted to see me in the short white shorts and the red checked top, the 1950s-style day dress and especially the corset and garters. I gave in without too much grumbling once Murphy understood I was serious about paying for all of it. Sure, it would put a dent in my savings, but if Murphy and I were going to be seen together in public, I must appear good enough to date him—one of Briar’s tenets for reducing publicity. While the idea of expensive clothing was weird and the reasons for such expenditures shallow, I understood her point. I’d read the scathing attacks Briar endured and didn’t wish to follow in her footsteps.
I sighed, confused. Much as I wanted to rise above the silliness of gossip sites and Internet memes, the part that bothered me most were the comparisons to Murphy’s previous lovers.
Sure, he said he wanted to be with me. But I wasn’t sure he’d still feel that way once he saw the gorgeous, cover-model perfect bodies he could have instead. The man was a connoisseur of beautiful women—with even better taste than he had in cars and clothes. With the scars on my shoulder and average stature, I couldn’t compete with those women, no matter how beautiful Murphy told me I was. Because while he thought me beautiful, that didn’t m
ean the rest of the world didn’t see my flaws in my too-large, boring brown eyes and hair.
So much for my momentary sexual bliss. I blinked at Tanya, trying to restabilize my world. The pills. This depressive crash I was experiencing must be due to my lack of serotonin. Upping my protein levels immediately should show an improvement in a few days.
“Yep, your BP is perfect,” I said, patting her shoulder.
“I’m doing great, Dr. Mila.”
I smiled, as I always did whenever Tanya called me that.
“But how about you? I was shocked when you were on the news.”
I frowned down at my clipboard. What to say? This woman was my patient, but she’d also become my friend. “I’m okay. It’s not pleasant having my past exposed to the world at large, but Murphy’s been great.”
“To think you once dated a rock star,” she sighed.
“She is again, but I still think I got the better end of this deal,” Murphy said as he entered the doorway, moving in to embrace my middle as he nuzzled into my neck. I melted back into him, unable to stop myself.
Tanya’s mouth opened—her tonsils were pink, healthy. She snapped her jaw closed to grin with more megawatts than I’d ever seen from her before.
“Dr. Mila is amazing. I always thought she was too pretty to be a doctor.”
“She’s smart enough for the career,” Murphy said.
“You’ll take good care of her? Not just while the stalker’s out there?”
“Oh, I fully intend to,” Murphy said.
I couldn’t help but smile. He sounded satisfied, a perfectly happy cat with its canary.
“How are you faring?” Murphy asked.
Tanya dropped her gaze to the hospital bed and flushed. “I’m okay. It’s the baby, though.”
“Yeah, Mila said he’s given you some trouble. She also said your background is in PR.” Murphy raised his eyebrows.
Tanya nodded, hesitant. Where was Murphy going with this?
“Right. Well, once you get that nipper sorted, give us a call,” Murphy said. “I’ve been known to get in a spot or three. A good PR team is worth its weight.”
Tanya smiled again, this time her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Really? You’d do that?”
“Well, I don’t hire. My manager does. But seeing as how I’ll be spending more time in Seattle so Mila can finish her residency, I’m going to need some staff in this time zone. Here’s his information. Tell him I said to talk to you.”
“Oh,” she whispered. When she lifted her head, her eyes were filled with tears and something close to hero worship. “Thank you.”
“Take care,” Murphy said. He kissed the top of my head. “I’ll be in Briar’s office with Hayden. Who knew we’d spend so much time together in a hospital when neither of us was sick or broken?”
I smiled at him, my own heart melting at the sweetness of his gesture to Tanya. I sucked in a deep breath and turned in his arms. Professionalism be damned for the moment. This man was amazing when he wanted to be. I stood on my tiptoes and pulled his head down for a real kiss.
While short, the kiss promised all kinds of hotness later. I trailed my lips along his jaw and whispered in his ear. “Thank you.”
He squeezed my hips as he stepped back. “Oh, you can do that. Soon.” Glancing back at Tanya, he winked. “See ya.”
I pressed my fingers to my lips as he walked from the room, wanting to hold the tingling warmth for another moment.
Tanya sighed. “He might just be the most potent hit of testosterone I’ve ever met.”
“I didn’t stand a chance,” I sighed.
“He wasn’t kidding when he said he’s all kinds of into you. Oh, Dr. Mila! Do you think he’ll get me a job?”
I smiled, patted her hand. “If Murphy says he’ll do it, he will.” I needed to believe my words. If it wasn’t . . . well, I’d find out tomorrow if his eye wandered. I cleared my throat. “Now tell me more about the baby’s movements.”
24
Murphy
Kevin stuck his head back into the living area a couple of hours later. “There’s a slew of reporters in the lobby. Just wanted you to know they’re refusing to leave until they get a statement from one of you.”
I glanced over at Mila, who was curled up with Alpie in the corner of the sofa. She sighed, a long drawn-out sound. Much as she must be struggling with her need for more medication, she never asked for more. Just fallen slowly into a funk that worried me. Was this the start of something more serious? Should I get a counselor in here to monitor her for depression?
I wasn’t sure, and the lack of a plan caused my stomach to clench. I couldn’t lose Mila again—not now that I’d found my way back into her good graces and her bed. I was settled, happy even. I needed to make sure she stayed in that same emotional place.
I rose from the piano stool and settled onto the couch cushion next to Mila, wrapping my arm around my shoulder. A burst of pleasure filled my chest when she moved Alpie over so she could settle in closer. Trust wasn’t something Mila threw around, and now that I understood more about her past, my actions—and how they’d hurt her—caused me pain, too. So, this, this willingness to snuggle against me, even if it was subconscious, warmed me more than I cared to admit.
My phone chirped. Jake strolled out of the second bedroom—formerly my bedroom—rubbing the side of his face. “You get the message from Harry? He set up a press conference for you in ten since all the media outlets are camping in the hotel lobby.”
I growled in frustration. Mila rubbed my arm in a soothing pattern.
Kevin glanced around, eyes narrowed. “Might want to bring the media up here. I’ll have the security team vet each person on the way in. Easier to manage the crowd and who’s in it when they’re on your turf.”
I tipped my head. “Whatever you think’s best,” I said. “But let them know this’ll be short and sweet since we have no real information to share.”
“Do I have to be here for the press conference?” Mila asked. Dark shadows flitted through her beautiful eyes and hazed the skin below them.
“Are you tired?” I asked.
She nodded. “I don’t have the mental energy for media.”
I was media savvy enough to understand we needed to show a united, happy front. I played with my lip ring, wondering how I could ask it of her.
“Be best if you were here, Mil,” Jake said with a yawn. “Otherwise there’ll be speculation. Murph and I can answer all the questions. You just need to sit next to him, hold his hand, and look gorgeous.”
She nodded, a small frown knitting her brows. “I’ll go put on some of my nicer clothes then.” Not that I didn’t think she rocked her yoga pants and hoodie, but changing was probably smart.
Her shoulders pulled down and in as she trudged toward our shared room, Alpie resting her beak against Mila’s neck.
“I’m worried about her,” I said, my voice pitched low. She shut the bedroom door with a soft click.
“Noelle said you confiscated her pills. Whilst she’s dealing with a stalker and an international media shit storm. None of that’s easy on a body. But Mila can handle it.”
“I want to handle this for her.” Frustration bubbled back up, simmering along with my fear. “Bloody hell! I’m happy for the first time in ages. I want the same for her.”
“Give her time, mate. She’s been through heaps, sure, but I see how she looks at you. If I’m ever lucky enough to have a woman look at me like that, I’m never leaving her. Ever.”
“I was a dipshit,” I said with a sigh.
“True words.”
“I have to make this right, Jakey.”
He pulled at his bottom lip. “Seems to me she wants to be with you. Start there.”
“You’re a smart one. Sometimes, anyway.”
He patted the back of my head. “Might want to comb your hair. I’m going to do mine now.”
Kevin ushered in the group of twenty or so reporters. They stood in the living a
rea while Mila and I sat on the same sofa she’d commandeered earlier. Much as I tried to stay on top of the questions, the reporters kept asking Mila questions about her miscarriage and our current live-together relationship. While she covered the strain well, her hand shook even in my tight clasp, and she pet Alpie’s head in a soothing rhythm.
“What is your comment on ‘She’s So Bad?’ Is it about you?”
Jake took that one. “We never talk about the genesis of our songs. Not all art reflects our lives, just as our lives don’t all reflect our art.” Good brother, Jake.
“Why didn’t you tell Murphy you were pregnant? Are you sure the baby was his?”
“Yes, I’m sure,” I said, my voice hard. I dismissed the first part of the question, unwilling to divulge more of our secrets than need-be.
“Jordan’s your step-uncle? How does your mother feel about this situation?”
“So Jordan was the reason you broke up with Murphy?”
If the police would just capture Jordan, we’d be able to move on! While I understood their need to follow due process, I wasn’t above thinking vigilante justice was more appropriate in this case. After yet another rude, intrusive question about how Mila felt about my sexual exploits, I cleared my throat. I waited until all the cameras and faces turned to me.
My smile was slow, calculated for maximum charm. “As you know, Mila has been threatened by her step-uncle. He’s threatened not only her life, but the lives of anyone she cares about. Mila will do anything to protect someone she loves. I know this firsthand. I lost her because of it before.” I raised our clasped hands up and pressed a kiss to her knuckles before turning back to the rapt crowd. “What I need you to do is make sure the police find that piece of shit before he touches either Mila or another innocent person. Like my mum or Mila’s friends. Report that. Find him. The world will be safer.”
I stood, pulling Mila up with me, ignoring the chorus of questions and Alpie’s shrieking protest.
“Was that smart?” Jake asked as he followed us into the bedroom Mila and I were sharing.
Hold You Close (Seattle Sound Series Book 3) Page 18
