Home > Ruthless Kings(6)

Ruthless Kings(6)
Author: Laura Lee

It totally was.

Another laugh. “Are you feeling any better? Can I get you anything?”

I bite my lip, carefully crafting my response. I don’t want Kingston to think I’m opening the lines of communication with us because I’m not ready for that.

“No. The nurses are taking care of me. The best thing you can do right now is give me time.”

Aaaaand cue the awkward silence.

“I had nothing to do with this, Jazz. You have to know that.”

I shake my head. “I don’t know anything right now.”

He growls under his breath. “When I find the motherfucker who did this to you, they will pay. I guaran-fucking-tee it.”

“I’ve told you once before, I don’t need a knight in shining armor, Kingston. I can take care of myself.”

“Too bad. I don’t want to be a knight, Jazz, but I do fully intend on doing whatever’s necessary to catch this guy.”

I notice he doesn’t mention that two men attacked me. It could all be an act, though. Kingston’s the most observant person I’ve ever met—he pays attention to details, so he would know not to make that mistake if he did, in fact, know. God, trying to detect subterfuge is exhausting.

I sigh. “Last I checked, you weren’t a police officer.”

“I have access to resources the police don’t. They can conduct their own investigation, but I already have my own guy doing the same. If he finds anything helpful, he’ll pass it on to the police.”

“Why would you go through all that trouble?”

I swear I can feel his glare. “Is that a serious question? Why the fuck do you think I’d do it?”

“I’m tired, Kingston. I’m going to rest now. You should go home and do the same.”

“I’m not going anywhere as long as you’re here.” I can just imagine him combing his hand through his hair in frustration. “You want to keep me out of your room—fine. I think it’s ridiculous considering I’m one of the few people you can trust, but whatever. I’m not going to push you while you’re laid up in a hospital bed. But know this, Jazz: Once you’re out of here, I’m going to be your goddamn shadow, so you’d better get used to that idea now. I am not letting anyone hurt you again.”

“Stalking is illegal in California.” My argument is weak, but it’s all I’ve got.

His scoff is audible through the phone line. “Yeah? Well, then it’s a good thing I know some excellent attorneys.”

“You’re impossible.”

“Persistent,” he corrects. “It’s why I always get what I want.”

I know I’m probably going to regret asking this, but I do it anyway. “And what is it that you want?”

“You. And vengeance.”

Yep. Definitely shouldn’t have asked.

 

 

CHAPTER FOUR

 

 

JAZZ

After seven whole days in the hospital, I finally get to go home. Kingston kept his promise of standing guard the entire time. However, my sperm donor never showed up or made any attempt to contact me as far as I know. I wondered if he even knew where I was, until the house manager, Ms. Williams, called the hospital, passing along the message that my driver, Frank, will take me home whenever I'm ready.

I can’t help thinking about how differently my mom would’ve handled things had she been alive. She would’ve been fluttering about, making sure I was comfortable enough. Or baking treats for the hospital staff to show her appreciation for all their hard work. Belle would’ve been right by her side, coloring or reading, or snuggling in bed with me watching cartoons. I had a few bleak moments while lying in that bed, where all of my thoughts about what could’ve been, practically suffocated me.

“You ready to go home?” The orderly smiles, completely clueless to the fact that staying here is actually better than being at my father’s McMansion.

I gingerly lower myself into the wheelchair he’s offering. “Ready as I’m going to get.”

Before we even roll past the waiting room, I can sense Kingston's nearness. The man always has a way of infiltrating my senses. The spiciness of his cologne, the hint of whatever soap he uses, the timbre of his voice. Most prominent is how my body stands to attention whenever he's around. I'm inexplicably drawn to him, despite my head’s vehement protests. Even now, in my weakened state, my brain wars with my body. Part of me is anxiously awaiting my first glimpse of him, while the other part is telling me to run far, far away.

Kingston scrambles out of his chair when he sees us. “Wait!”

The orderly stops pushing my chair. “Do you know him?”

I sigh. “Yeah.”

Kingston looks better since I last saw him—at least his clothes are clean—but he still looks exhausted. That doesn't detract from my overwhelming attraction to him, though. How someone can spend a week cooped up in a small waiting room and still be so devastatingly beautiful is beyond me.

“I’ll get my car and meet you out front.” Kingston turns to Ainsley, who just joined us. “You stay with Jazz.”

“Kingston, no.” I grab his arm before he can walk away, quickly pulling my hand back when I feel the energy crackle between us.

“What do you mean, ‘no’?” His eyebrows pinch together.

Ainsley gives me a soft smile. “Hey, Jazz.”

“Hey. Thanks again for bringing my bag.”

She nods. “Of course.”

I broke down and texted Ainsley several times over the last few days, figuring she was the safest choice. Our conversation had stayed on neutral topics, but talking with her helped curb my loneliness.

I turn back to Kingston. “Frank is waiting for me out front. I already have a ride.”

Kingston’s expression goes from concerned to pissed in half a second. “Fuck that. You are not going back to that house.”

Bossy ass.

I glare at him. “Where else am I supposed to go? It’s the only home I have.”

"My place." The indignance in his tone is heavy as if questioning him on this is ludicrous.

Okay, I’ll admit the Callahan mansion is not my first choice either, but it’s my only option because I’m sure as shit not staying with Kingston. When I lived in Watts, I spent so much time watching my sister while our mom was at work, I didn’t really hang out with anybody outside of school. My friends were more like school acquaintances. The one exception to that was my ex, Shawn, and I’m not about to ask him if I can crash at his place.

Besides, Ms. Williams told me Charles and Madeline will be in Mexico for two more weeks, so knowing I won’t have to deal with them is a relief. Even if I did have money for a motel—which I don’t—I don’t like the thought of being completely alone. At the mansion, there’s always staff on hand to help me if need be. Simple things like walking or getting dressed are still somewhat difficult to manage. I have stitches running the entire width of my pubic bone, as well as a small spot on my side, and every time I move, they’re stretched, which hurts like a bitch. I never realized how often your core is engaged with the tiniest motions before now.

Not to mention the fact that half my body was clobbered. My bruises aren’t nearly as dark, and my eye is no longer swollen shut, but every spot where I was punched, or kicked, or thrown to the ground, aches. I’m not going to lie; my super deluxe pillowtop mattress at Sperm Donor’s house sounds like heaven after spending a week on an uncomfortable hospital bed.

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