Total pages in book: 192
Estimated words: 189782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 759(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 189782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 759(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
“Is that really necessary? I have enough security.”
“Clearly, it is.” He glances toward Leo and Kody, who stand a few feet away, glaring back. “I’m trying to keep the peace.”
“This has to stop.” I rub my temples. “I can’t work with all this…drama. They’re going to get me fired.”
“I know.” His expression softens. “I’m trying to help.”
“You want to help? Make them leave. They won’t listen to me.”
“I can instruct security to escort them out and prevent them from entering again.” He quirks a brow. “Is that what you want?”
I shake my head, though I’m not entirely certain. I want them to be able to visit during my breaks or stop by if they need something.
As I turn to head back to the ER, I catch a glimpse of them, their expressions dark and aggressive.
Changing directions, I make a beeline for them and stop just out of arm’s reach.
“A mat placed outside an exterior door for wiping shoes before entering.” I rest my fists on my hips, watching their features twist in confusion. “A person who is physically weak and ineffectual.”
“I don’t understand.” Leo tilts his head.
“What is a doormat?”
“That’s not—”
“Not me? You’re walking all over me and treating me like I have no common sense, self-preservation, or opinions of my own.”
“Keeping you protected,” Kody growls, “does not turn you into a doormat.”
“I love you both. So much. If you love me a fraction as much, please leave until the end of my shift. Or stay outside. I’m trying to do my job, and I’m asking you to respect that.”
Without waiting, I return to the trauma unit.
They don’t leave, and an hour before my shift ends, the tension finally boils over.
I’m in the middle of helping a patient when a brawl breaks out in the corridor. I race out of the room and find Kody pinning Paul against the wall.
“Say it again,” Leo snarls in Paul’s face.
“Get your hands off me.” Paul struggles against Kody’s grip.
“Let him go!” I charge toward them, balling my fists. “Kody!”
“Tell her what you said.” Leo points angrily at me.
The guards rush forward, but I step in their path, holding up a hand.
“Wait. Let me try.” I turn back to Paul. “What did you say?”
“I just said you’re pretty, Frankie.” He bucks against Kody, going nowhere. “It’s true. Everyone knows it.”
I close my eyes and count to three. Then I glare at Kody. “Let him go.”
“He’s been staring at your ass all day.” Kody shoves him before releasing him. “I confronted him about it, and he commented on your looks.”
“Inappropriate, Paul.” I glower at him and shift my glare to Kody and Leo. “Go home.”
They plant their boots and cross their arms.
I see red.
Pivoting on my heel, I stride to the nurses’ station to transfer my patients to the next shift and wrap things up.
Then I leave.
I ride back to the island with the security guards in silence. My mind screams with accusations and ultimatums. But I wait until we’re in the privacy of the estate.
Leo and Kody hover nearby all the way home, stewing in their own thoughts.
They got what they wanted. I left the hospital. I’m returning to my prison.
But I’m not giving up. I refuse to back down. I need to work, to live. And I won’t let them stop me.
When we reach the house, I turn to them, my heart aching.
“This isn’t working,” I say quietly. “This…whatever we’re doing, it’s not healthy.”
“What happened?” Monty steps into the sitting room, taking in the standoff.
I quickly update him on the recent drama and turn back to Leo and Kody. “We need to change.”
“What are you saying?” Leo’s jaw tightens.
“I’m saying you need help. Talk to someone. We can’t keep going like this, smothering each other, fighting over me. It’s tearing us apart.”
“You’re not safe.” Kody’s eyes harden. “Someone is out there, killing people and sending their body parts to you like trophies.”
“Paul is not a murderer.”
“You don’t know that,” Kody says. “I can’t lose you.”
“You’re not losing me.” I reach out to touch his fisted hand. “But we need to find a way to be together that doesn’t destroy us.”
“I don’t know how to do that.” Leo grips his nape.
“You do it by not assaulting every man who looks at or talks to me. You do it by seeking help. There’s so much anger inside both of you, and maybe that kept you alive in the hills. But we’re not in the hills anymore.”
“We shouldn’t have left.” Kody strides from the room. “We don’t belong here.”
“You don’t mean that.”
Leo follows him out without a word, leaving me with Monty.
Turning to him, I don’t expect his help. He’s not here to solve my relationship problems with other men. More likely, he would use the situation to his advantage.
But as he watches me, his gaze deepens. The air thickens.