by Winters, KB
Some people said those words out of guilt or just because they thought it was what one said in these moments, but I could see how torn apart Layla was by all of this. No way. I couldn’t let that shit stand.
“Layla, stop. I mean it.” She stared up at me with those big eyes that made a man feel compelled to protect her. Although my life had always been about getting bitches and riches, I could understand how Eamon had fallen for her.
“Layla, hear this. There was never any option about coming to get you. This wasn’t your fault, it was theirs. Got it?”
“Yes, but why—”
“Because I was the dumbass they caught alone and off-guard. And because I’m a Connelly. Blame Frank fucking Milano, all right?”
She looked up at Eamon, concern in her eyes before she turned back to me with a resigned nod. “I still feel responsible, but yeah, fuck those guys.” Her smile was genuine and that mattered to me. “I brought you some things to keep you from getting bored.”
Eamon snorted. “He’s got a cute little blonde to help in that department.”
“Yeah? Here? Tell me about her,” she said as she unloaded several bags. The first had balloons and flowers, two gifts I’d never gotten in my whole life.
“I know you’re a man, but flowers have oxygen and they’ve been proven to help healing.”
Yeah, I could see exactly how Layla had wriggled her way underneath my brother’s defenses without his consent. She was a beautiful little firecracker who loved the hell out of him, at least based on the way she looked at him. Then again, what the hell did I know about love? I’d never been in love; never even thought I might be. Hell, I didn’t do love. In our line of work, it was a weakness, one that the Milano crime family had eagerly exploited when they took Layla.
“Ivy is the woman who found me in the parking lot and got me help. That’s all.”
“You were holding hands when I showed up.” Eamon sold me out, laughter burning up his familiar green eyes.
“I was offering her the same kindness she gave me by listening to her worry about her kid brother.” The rest was her story to tell. “And yes, she’s beautiful. And yes, I’d do her in a second.”
Layla grinned and pulled out a couple different magazines, a crossword book and a tablet. “You’re such a dog, Shea. But, that was nice of her.”
“Yeah, she’s seems like a nice girl,” I said. With sinful curves. A woman like that was definitely taken, probably by some stand up guy who worked at a bank or a corporate law firm. But that had never stopped me before.
“Then maybe later you can share this with her?” She held up an aluminum foil tray filled with lasagna. “I also got salad, garlic bread, tiramisu and,” she leaned in with a stage whisper, “potato soup for later. I’m sure they have a microwave around here somewhere.”
I smiled up at her and put a hand to my chest. “Damn. I’ve always wanted a sister. Thanks, sis.”
Her face lit up at my words, and she turned to Eamon with a pretty little blush that darkened my brother’s eyes.
“Okay,” I said, teasing him. “Get out of here with that shit. I don’t want to see your fuck me eyes aimed at my sister.”
Eamon glared at me. “You’re lucky you’re already in the hospital.” Layla just laughed.
I scoffed at him. “I could still take you, old man. But not until after we deal with this Milano problem.”
His demeanor turned serious once again, giving me a sharp nod. “It’s a date. C’mon, Layla. We’d better get to Patrick’s before he brings his whole brigade down to the hospital.”
Our father liked things to go his way and when they didn’t, he moved heaven and earth to make it happen, which meant Eamon’s words were more than teasing between brothers. We both knew if Patrick had to wait too long for an update, he’d bring a dozen thugs with him to terrify the doctor into giving up my medical status.
“Go on, then. Tell Patrick I’m fine and not to worry about me. Thanks for the visit. And the gifts, Layla.”
Layla bent down and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Thank you for saving me, Shae. If you need anything, call me.”
Her actions stunned me into silence, and I just nodded, trying to remember the last time I’d felt a woman pressed up against me in a purely platonic way. The only woman in our lives was our Aunt Fiona, and no one would ever describe her as motherly or nurturing and live to talk about it anyway. Raised in a family of men, Rourke’s mother was as cold and tough as any of her brothers and ten times as crazy. So Layla’s hug affected me in ways I didn’t want to think about.
Instead of thinking about those unwanted feelings, I turned my thoughts to more pleasurable subjects. Like a certain curvy blonde with kind blue eyes and dick-sucking lips.
***
“Doc, the boredom is killing me!” I knew I sounded like a whiny little bitch but seriously, hospitals had shitty TV, crap food and fuck all to keep a guy entertained while he healed. Or whatever.
Dr. Mannheim stood at the foot of my bed staring at my chart, spewing authority all over the place in his stark white coat and the thing he kept poking into my chest around his neck. The stethoscope.
“The good news, Mr. Connolly, is that nothing else is killing you. No concussion and all the bruises will heal with time, along with your other injuries. I want to monitor that goose egg on the back of your head for another day. If it all looks good by then, you can go home.”
“How about you let my family monitor me?” That was a damn sight better than another twenty-four hours cooped up in the hospital. A sitting fucking duck.
“I could do that, but by the time they realized something was wrong, you’d be dead. Unless you have a doctor in the family.”
I did, but he lived on the east coast, thousands of miles away from Rocket, Nevada. “Nope, no doctors.”
“Your stay in our fine hospital is not that bad, I hope.”
“Not bad but there’s nothing to do here, Doc. I’m no invalid but your nurses won’t let me even walk around. What’s up with that?” I complained.
“It was an order from me, I’m afraid. But now that I’m certain you don’t have a concussion, feel free to walk around and stretch your legs.”
I smiled at his words. “Then I’ll stop my complaining.”
“Sounds good. Let the nurses know if you experience any dizziness or nausea, blurred vision or any other symptoms that cause concern.”
“Will do, Doc. Thanks.”
Left alone again, I decided to try out the toys Layla left to entertain me. So back in bed, I grinned when I saw what movies she’d uploaded for me on the iPad she’d brought. Sons of Anarchy: The Complete Seasons 1-7. That should take me a while to watch. I flipped to the next one. Pretty Woman. I chuckled at her choices and checked out the next one. Casino. I started watching it, but it didn’t hold my attention.
Damn, I was bored, and whenever I got bored, I tended to do stupid shit. Not today, though. I planned to do whatever it would take to get me discharged before the book closed on tomorrow. So I decided to take a little walk since I had the doctor’s approval.
I hated hospitals and knew it had everything to do with coming here as a kid to visit my mother as cancer ravaged her entire fucking body. The antiseptic smell made it hard to forget that time, which was ironic since these days I barely remembered much else about her. The halls were too bright with a low hum of activity as I walked the corridors, listening to machines beeping, patients talking and laughing, families crying in the distance.
As much as I enjoyed my relative freedom, this was too much. Too much jogging my memories. I turned on my heels to make my way back to my room. I’d rather watch one of the cheesy movies Layla got for me than deal with all the illness and pain surrounding me in the hospital.
I sat back and let the movie continue, but I wasn’t focused on it. My mind kept wondering back to Ivy, so open and honest. So beautiful. I should probably forget about her, leave her alone while I dealt with the Milano assholes, but even the tho
ught of that didn’t sit right with me.
I wanted to be with her, and I made a vow, right then. I would be with her. Soon.
Chapter Seven
Ivy
I took a deep breath as I stood outside Ian’s hospital room to cleanse away the worry that made my stomach lurch, the one that threatened to send the sandwich I’d just eaten coming back up for a repeat appearance. In addition to nourishment, after two days in the same clothes, I had finally showered and changed into a clean sweatshirt and jeans. I pushed the door open and fixed a smile on my face.
“Hey, Ian. How are you feeling today?”
He looked at me warily and my shoulders fell. “Feeling better today, Ivy. You?”
“I’m not the one in the hospital.”
One side of his mouth pulled up into a grin. “Yeah, but you look like shit.”
“Thanks, Ian. You really know how to compliment a girl.” Teasing was a good sign. It meant he wasn’t still angry with me for our little fight. At least not angry enough to hold a grudge.
“I’m sorry,” I told him, the words rushing out before I lost my nerve to apologize, or worse, start justifying my behavior.
“I know it’s annoying to have someone worry so much, and I’m sorry about that, Ian. Truly.”
He listened carefully and nodded. “But?”
I smiled at my kid brother. “But I won’t apologize for how I feel. What I’m sorry for is trying to push my fear onto you. That wasn’t fair of me. I’m sorry I didn’t realize it sooner.”
“You mean that?”
I planted a wry grin on my face. “I do.”
Ian was almost as much my son as he was my brother because I was eight years older, and I’d taken responsibility for him in all the ways that mattered. It wasn’t easy, but I found a way to keep us clothed and fed while making sure we both finished high school, something I was sure would make Mom and Dad proud.
“Ian, you were right about my fears, but you were wrong to tell me to move on. I’m living my life the best way I can. I worked very hard so that you could too.”
“I know,” he sighed, a guilty expression on his face as he slid down in the bed. One of the monitors beeped until he righted himself. “And I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but I can’t be sad and scared all the time.”
“Oh, Ian.” I stood as close to him as I could without disturbing any of the equipment keeping his body running smoothly. The monitors, catheter, and IV drip. “I don’t want you to be sad or scared all the time. I’m really happy you’re not as affected by the accident as I am, but I am. Anyway, I’m going to do better. I promise.”
“Thank you.” He said with a note of acceptance that told me it was time to move on.
“Any word on when you’re out of here?”
He looked away, avoiding my gaze which meant he was hiding something from me. I didn’t push because if Ian wanted me to know, he would tell me.
“Soon,” was all he said. “But that could mean a few hours from now or by the end of the month.” He shrugged like it didn’t matter, and I tried not to be offended.
“In other words, butt out?”
“Yeah,” he sighed, looking at me with too much guilt for a guy with a mangled leg.
“Okay. I’m butting out unless you invite me in.” I didn’t really believe that, and I didn’t think Ian did either, but I would try my best. Maybe if I didn’t spend so much time hovering, calling him up to check on him or stopping by with meals for him, then I wouldn’t worry so much.
“Seriously?”
“Yep. I’ll call you once in a while to say hey because we’re family. All you had to do was ask, Ian.”
“I’ve been trying to but you weren’t listening.”
“Fair enough. Well I’m trying now, okay?”
“Good. Don’t take this the wrong way, but my friends are coming by to visit.”
“And you want me to get lost?”
“Do you mind?” He wanted to hang out with his friends, not his worrywart sister.
“Not at all. I just want you to get better. And to have fun.” I went to him and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “See ya later.”
“You’re not mad, are you?” My heart gave a twitch when I looked at his bruised, cut face, all the machines and tubes keeping him alive. But I forced myself not to show my fear and anxiety.
“Nope,” I said brightly, and that was true. I wasn’t angry with him, only worried. But now I couldn’t share it with him. So I said, “I’ve got things to do outside of this hospital.”
And that was true. I had work to catch up on, emails to return, and deadlines on projects to meet. I could actually sit down and eat a meal without interruption, maybe even watch a movie. That actually sounded like the perfect way to unwind after the past few days.
With an absent wave to Ian, I made my way down the long, too bright hallway toward the exit. It was a path I was learning all too well. If Dr. Mannheim was right, it would be weeks before this place was a memory. That was a worry for another day. I had a plan, and I intended to follow it. And I would have if not for the big, wide man the size of a brick wall I ran smack into on my way past the elevator.
“Sorry,” I said the way women always do whether it’s their fault or not.
“It’s okay. Where’s the fire?” Big hands were glued to my waist, hands fanned out like he knew me, and a second before our eyes connected, I realized why.
“Wow. Shae. What are you doing roaming the halls? Trying to escape?”
He smiled as his thumbs slid up and down my belly. “Just walking around to stave off boredom and to make sure I’m good to go. Walk with me?”
I should have said no because I’d already had plans for the day and the evening. But looking up into his sultry eyes made me forget all about my never-ending list of tasks. “Sure. Where are we going?”
He took my hand and wrapped it around his bicep, an impressively big and hard bicep. “There’s an atrium at the center of the hospital, and it’s nice out.”
How could I possibly resist the hottest smile I’d seen on a man in far too long? I couldn’t, and when his legs started to move, granted at a very slow pace, mine moved along with him. “That sounds nice. Have you been cleared by the doctor?”
“I have, nurse,” he joked. “All that’s missing is your sexy little nurse outfit.”
Shae was so damn charming it was hard to take anything he said seriously. And I couldn’t deny that I wanted him as much as the heat in his eyes said he wanted me.
“If I had known a uniform was required, I might have dug it out.” Oh damn! Where did that come from? I didn’t do sexy talk and I couldn’t believe I’d just said that. But the look on Shae’s face was priceless. Shock and heat.
“You have a sexy nurse’s outfit?”
“Who knows?” I shrugged and gave him a little wink as we walked into the open area with big trees, keeping my hand tight on his rock hard bicep. “Let’s talk about you. How are you feeling?”
“Stir-crazy, if you want to know the truth.”
“Ah, you’re the can’t-sit-still type. Did someone bring you books and porn?”
“Is that what you brought for Ian?”
“Well, I didn’t bring my brother porn, but I’m sure one of his buddies will later. I’m sure the hospital wi-fi isn’t strong enough for him to stream it. So?”
“My brother’s girlfriend brought me some stuff, but I’m not really a sit around and watch TV shows kind of guy.”
I steered him over to a path lined with flowerbeds and asked, “So what is it that you do when you’re not being dumped out of giant white vans?” Even though Shae had a casual, laidback way about him, I also sensed a tightly coiled intensity he could release any moment. It was kind of scary but equally exciting.
Shae’s deep laugh was like a blanket with a built in vibrator, soothing and electrifying. “I work a lot, but when I’m not working I like to play pool. I like to hang out with women, and I like to play with my guns
.”
If it sounded like a bad boy, looked like a bad boy and charmed like the baddest of boys, then yeah, he was probably a bad boy. And I was all too aware of him, ignoring the warning bells clanging in my mind.
“Your bruises are fading nicely. I can almost see your pretty boy good looks underneath.” He laughed when I brushed a thumb over one of the bruises.
“Pretty boy? I think you mean movie star good looks, don’tcha lass?”
“If I see you without the cuts and bruises, I’ll let you know.” I knew the moment he was given the all clear by his doctor, Shae would be out of here, probably in search of the guys who wrecked his face and one of his booty calls. “Any word on when the doctor will let you out?”
“Nah, I’m on the wait and see plan.” His words were casual, but the strain around his eyes said he wanted out. “But I want to get better, so I’m listening to the doc. For now.”
“That’s a good idea. So Shae, tell me something about yourself.”
“What do you want to know?”
Everything. “What do you do for a living? Are you from Rocket?”
“I work for my father, and I grew up here. Mostly.”
“I grew up here, too. How is it that we never met?”
Rocket was big but not when you lived here. It was impossible to escape the people you knew and easy to avoid those you didn’t. Tourists were the exception, and thankfully the town was filled with them constantly.
“I went to a private school. It wasn’t all it was cracked up to be,” Shae scoffed.
“Neither was public school, but I was too busy to even think about trivial high school stuff.”
“Let me guess. Cheerleader and student government?” he asked.
I laughed. “That’s the high school experience I wished for, but I was too busy making sure Ian got to baseball practice and karate classes while putting food on the table and making sure he did his homework.”
I realized what I’d said and made a face. “Sorry, I don’t know why I keep blurting out the most personal things around you.”
