Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74078 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74078 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
We lock eyes in the mirror as she fluffs her hair.
“The Cerberus guys are starting to show up,” she says, and I have no doubt she’s been one of the shameless staff members throwing herself at them each time one of them arrives to sit with Bishop.
“They aren’t going to pile into the room,” I remind her.
The Cerberus members have always been respectful of this room. They treat it as the healing sanctuary that it is.
“I know.” Her eyes are wild, excited like it’s Christmas morning or something. “The common area is going to fill up. It’ll be like shooting fish in a barrel.”
I turn my attention away from her. She has to know that nearly every Cerberus member is taken. They’re known for their loyalty. Maybe I’m just a bitter person, but from what I’ve seen of the women who come here with the guys, Rachel doesn’t even come close to comparing.
“There are only two single guys in the entire group,” I remind her, feeling disgusted at feeling the need to do so.
“Three if you count him,” she says, looking down at Bishop.
I look from her down to Bishop, more than one finger twitching against my palm as I see his eyes flutter.
“Brent?” I whisper. “Can you hear me?”
His eyes slowly open, but then they widen as he attempts to turn his head.
He looks terrified, so I lean in closer, filling his field of vision with my face.
“You’re safe,” I tell him. “Everything is going to be okay.”
He shifts his hand in mine and I release him immediately. It flops on the bed as if he doesn’t have the energy to lift it.
“You’re in Farmington, New Mexico, at the local care facility. You’re healthy and capable, but it’s been several weeks and your body isn’t going to feel like your own.”
He settles some, his breathing slowing.
“Do you understand what I’m telling you?”
His eyes blink rapidly, but he keeps them locked on me.
“Is he like broken or something?”
I jerk my head in Rachel’s direction.
“Can you please leave?” I snap.
She holds her hands up, muttering “Bitch,” before walking out of the room.
I gently clasp his hand when he reaches for the tube in his nose.
“It’s an N-G tube,” I explain. “It’s how you’ve been eating since your injury. Understand?”
He nods, his mouth opening and closing with no sounds coming out.
I’ve never had a comatose patient before. I don’t know if I can offer him something to drink.
“Let’s sit you up some.” I press the button on the remote to lift his head.
“M-my w-wife,” he whispers, his voice full of gravel and lack of use. “An-Angeline.”
It was my understanding that he wasn’t married.
“R-Rivet,” he says when I don’t answer. “Did she d-die in Bahrain?”
“No,” I assure him.
Rivet has visited multiple times, but she comes here with another man and never alone. I quickly consider that maybe they have some sort of poly thing going on. It’s not my place to judge how others live their lives. I certainly don’t want opinions voiced about my own.
“A-are we in B-Bahrain?”
He swallows thickly, and I hate that we took his pitcher out of here since he was comatose.
The door to the room opens again, but I keep my eyes on him.
His eyes start to dart around the room, his hand trembling in mine. I lean in closer, cupping his face in my hands.
“You’re safe. Rivet is safe. Deep breaths for me, Mr. Porter.”
I breathe deep, feeling a little calmer when he mimics me, drawing a deep breath of air in through his nose.
He exhales when I do.
“There. Better. I’m going to go get her,” I tell him.
He reaches for me, his arm jerky and still appearing heavy.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell him. “I promise.”
He nods, his eyes still wide and full of fear.
I trade places with the nurse as she pulls her stethoscope from around her neck.
I overheard people talking about his recovery. Some were concerned that he’d have brain damage. Some were optimistic that he’d be just fine.
I rush from the room in search of Rivet. Maybe she’ll have all the answers to his questions.
Chapter 6
Bishop
It isn’t adrenaline making my heart threaten to jump out of my chest.
I can’t recall a single other moment in life that has terrified me more than I am right now.
Nothing makes sense.
One minute, I’m in bed with Angeline, both of our mouths coated with tequila. I wasn’t worried about the sadness in her eyes nor the scratch of the sheets against my skin. I had her in my arms. We were reliving that first night we came together. There was forgiveness in my touch. I couldn’t fault her for the things she’d done. I’m not a loveable man. I knew she deserved more than I could offer the very first time I laid eyes on her. It didn’t stop me from pursuing her. I wanted some of the light that shone in her eyes. Just a little. A taste if nothing else.