“I can help you.” She whispered the words against his lips.
“Baby, I’m not having you take care of my dick in the hospital. Touching you now is more than I deserve.” He stroked her cheek, smiling at her. “We’ll have time for more. I promise.”
“I wish we didn’t have to have promises.”
“Until Michael is out of our lives it’s all we’ve got.”
She looked down at her lap. He tucked the blanket back around her keeping her warm. The tender way he touched her always caught her by surprise. She never put gentle and Killer together in the same ring, but it was true. Besides the truth about his screwing another woman he’d never actually hurt her.
Still, even as she thought about the other woman she couldn’t stop thinking about her husband. They’d both made a mistake. She could forgive and forget if he would be willing.
He tucked some loose strands behind her ear. “You’re so beautiful.”
Kelsey remained silent never knowing what to say to him when he spoke words of love and beauty.
“It’s time for us to finish our stroll,” he said.
She rested her head on her palm staring at people as they passed. The women were all looking at Killer. The lust shone in their eyes at the sight of him. She wanted to get up and smack them to stop them looking at her man.
The men stared at Killer with envy. They were clearly taken in by his tattoos and leather jacket. The Skulls were known far and wide.
“What the f**k are you doing here?” Michael asked, stepping forward.
Shit, he looked ready to do murder. Glancing behind her she saw Killer held the same look on his face.
“I’m taking her for a walk.”
“You’re not supposed to be here. When are you going to learn your f**king place?” Michael asked. His voice rose turning them into a spectacle.
“Michael, stop it,” she said, wanting the ground to open up and swallow her.
“No, I let Tate in, but now I find you being taken out by this piece of shit.”
She tensed. “Stop it!”
He charged behind her intent on pushing Killer out of the way. Both men were large, and Kelsey wasn’t interested in being the thorn between them. Spinning as far as she could, she pressed her palm on top of Killer’s. “Take me back to my bedroom. I don’t want any of you starting a fight. We’re in the hospital gardens.”
Gripping the blanket tighter she waited for them to start moving. Tate and Sandy were returning. When they saw what was going on, they charged their way.
“You’re not seeing her again,” Michael said, glaring at both women.
“You can’t f**king stop me, ass**le.” Tate stepped right up to Michael. “You want to piss on her, go ahead. She’s my best friend. She wanted to see Killer, and I, like the good friend I am, made sure she got what she wanted.”
“You wanted to see Killer?” Michael asked, turning his gaze back to her.
“Yes.”
Silence fell on the group. She tensed waiting for the inevitable argument. Why couldn’t he see that she was in love with Killer?
No one spoke a word as Killer started moving. They made their way to her room. He picked her up easing her back on the bed.
“I can f**king do that—”
Michael didn’t get to finish what he was saying before Killer had him locked up against the far wall with an arm across his neck. “Who the f**k do you think you are?” Killer asked, growling in the other man’s face.
Kelsey panicked. “Stop it, the both of you, stop it.”
Sandy and Tate tried to pull Killer off, but he wasn’t having any of it.
“I’m sick to f**king death of you throwing your name around. She’s mine, dammit, mine.”
Security rushed through the room tearing Killer off. He was pulled out of the room, yelling at Michael. “I’ll find the f**king truth out about you, f**ker.”
She glanced toward Michael to see him smiling smugly. He clearly wanted Killer to attack him, but why?
“Get out,” he said, pointing a finger at Tate. “You’ll be lucky to see her again soon.”
Tate, always so stubborn, walked over to her. “I’ll see you tomorrow, honey. Just wait and see if anyone can stop me.” She kissed her cheek before leaving the room.
“I’ll have a guard of my choosing posted at this door,” Michael said, glaring at Sandy. “When the time is right, you’re leaving this place.”
Panicking, she glanced at Sandy, seeing the shock in the other woman’s face. “You can’t take her away. This is where she has to stay.”
“No, I’m doing what I think is best for my wife, and it’s not staying here with you f**kers. I don’t want him near my woman.”
“I’m not yours,” Kelsey said, speaking up.
“You’re mine. Your name is Kelsey Granito, and it’s time you started using it.”
He stared down at her. The glare he sent her way startled her enough to sit back on the bed. She felt torn between arguing with him or doing as she was ordered.
“Leave,” he said, talking to Sandy. He didn’t break eye contact but ordered Sandy out of the room.
For once the other woman didn’t argue with an order.
She stared at the door closed shut behind her.
“Why?” she asked, staring back at him.
“Why what? I’m not a mind reader.”
“Why do you care? You’ve been out of my life for so long. Why do you care now?” All the time they’d been together he never showed any point in caring about her. “None of this makes any sense. You live your life, and I live mine.”
“It’s going to change. There’s no getting out of our contract, Kels. You’ve got to face facts. Your life belongs to me now.”
She shook her head. “No, you’re insane.”
“I’m not. One day you’ll see how much I’m protecting you. The moment the doctor signs off on your condition I’ll move you. You’ll have nothing to do with The Skulls.”
This was the last thing she wanted.
“What about my mental state? I could try to kill myself again.” She winced at the hysteria coming from her.
“You and I both know you’re not going to try that again. No, you’re fine, and I’m not letting you blind me into doing what you want.” He buttoned up his jacket. “With Killer and the rest of those f**king bikers out of the way I can finish my business here.”