“What the fuck are you doing here?” I question. They shouldn’t be anywhere near their daughter from what I was told by Jackson and Mr. Banks. They didn’t trust them, and I don’t either. I can’t see Jules’s face, but I can feel her tense up in the wheelchair.
“We’re here to take our daughter home,” the step-asshole says.
“You know damn well that’s not going to happen. You couldn’t protect her, and you weren’t here when she needed you. She’s going home with me—end of story.”
“We can have this all straightened out soon,” the asshole in the suit says. Who the fuck does he think he is?
Suddenly, it hits me who the mystery man is…Brandon’s father, the politician.
“If you don’t get the fuck out of our way, I’ll treat you like your son did to my Jules and I assure you, I’m a hell of a lot better with a blade,” I snarl.
Doc comes out with the hospital’s security. “Blade, are these people bothering you?”
“He’s stealing our daughter,” her reproductive host says.
“Considering she’s an adult and in his care, it’s hardly stealing, but you are trespassing on hospital property and have no business in this facility. I’m going to have to ask you politely to leave,” Doc informs them. He may be a doctor, but the man can be merciless.
“I’ll make sure the hospital learns you cost them a large contribution,” the politician says.
“Since your son keeps bringing us clients, I believe we get enough dirty money,” Doc scoffs. “Now get out.” He snaps his fingers, and several Dallas Police officers approach.
“Thanks,” I say, wheeling right past them. The nurse looks shaken, but she does her job. “Don’t worry about them. That man’s all hot air.” I help Jules into my SUV that Doc had brought around. Once I get her situated, I run around the front end and hop into the driver’s side before those fuckers try to start shit. I can see them talking to the cops, hoping to stop us, but it’ll be a cold day in hell before I let Jules end up in their hands again.
“Are you okay?” I ask, gripping onto her thigh, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“Yes. Thank you for doing that.”
“Sticking up for you? You should be treasured. I’m sorry it took me forever to get my head out of my ass.” I brush the back of my hand over her cheek and she presses her face into it, forgetting that she’s got a nasty bruise on that side. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
“It’s my fault. For a big brute, you have the gentlest touch,” she says almost to herself.
“Just wait,” I mutter under my breath. One day, my hand won’t be so gentle on her ass.
The entire drive home, I steal glances at Jules because I can’t help myself. I have a lot of lost months to make up for.
God, she's beautiful. It kills me to see her bandaged and bruised. Her dainty wrist is wrapped up and secured with a cast to help the healing. I nearly lost her, and that's something that I can't forget. She's my world now, and I'm going to do all I can to keep her safe and loved like she should. "Are you hungry?"
"I am."
"We can drive through somewhere, or I can cook when we get home,” I offer.
She whips her head in my direction, brow lifted and a curious smirk on her face. "You cook?"
"A little. I'm not a professional or anything, but a good grilled ham and cheese is no problem."
"My aunt taught me how to cook a little when I found a chance to go over there." That’s a tidbit of information that has more story hidden that I want to slowly unravel. Her family life was obviously fucked up, and I don’t want her to suffer reliving painful or hated memories. My job is to make sure she’s happy for the rest of our lives, even if she doesn’t know it yet.
"I'm surprised you weren't over there more often."
"My mother gave my stepfather whatever he wanted, and he wanted me far away from Penny's family."
"I'm sorry. It looks like Penny could have used you as a friend."
"We tried to be friends."
"So, is that sister your sister or stepsister?"
"Stepsister. I wish my mother hadn't married that jerk five years ago. He's made it his mission to make me feel like I could never do anything right, and his daughter, the perfect angel, is more like a Hell’s angel. I hate him."
"I'm sorry. You're freaking perfect. Don't let anyone tell you any different. I'm sorry for letting you down. I should have been making you mine that night. I swear by the time I'd gotten home, I knew I'd be back begging you to forgive me. I know it's not going to be easy, and once the intensity of the trauma lightens you let me have it for foolishly walking away."
"I'll just remind you anytime you work my nerves."
"Sounds good, baby, as long as you let me eat your pussy when you do. I want to make sure I get on all your nerves."
She clenches her thighs together and then scolds, "You can't say that while you're driving."
“Why? My dick has constantly been hard; it’s only fair if I get you nice and wet.”
“That’s not fair. I need a shower.”
“We have to be careful with your stitches. I’ll have to wash you down tenderly,” I grunt out.
We hit a bump in the road, and Jules grimaces and lets out a groan. Fuck. I forget that she’s so hurt. I can’t have her just yet. As much as I want to dive balls deep into her, we need to take it slow. We can talk dirty, but that’s all it’s going to be until she’s healed.
She’s suddenly gone quiet, and although I’d like to pick her brain some more, it’s probably for the best that I give her space. Well, verbal space, because physical space isn’t something I’m going to be comfortable with anymore. The threat on her life has been too real and unforgettable. My freaking worst fear, the reason I stayed away, ended up coming to life.
Chapter Eight
Jules
I talk a big game, but as we get closer to Steeleville, I feel the weight of everything that’s happened. My heart hurts almost as much as my wounds. Anthony has been utterly amazing, but I haven’t forgotten the way it felt when he said I was too young for him and he left. Will he do that again?
His stolen glances become less and less frequent and they’re cautious, each one of them, so I close my eyes and let the sun lull me into a mini nap.
The soft whisper of Anthony’s voice bleeds through my dream, waking me up. “We’re home, Jules.”
I look around to see that I’ve passed this house on my way back home many times. I can’t believe that he lives here. It’s a family home, larger than most around the area, which is weird because he’s single. Penny told me he doesn’t have any kids and he works from home in the back, but that’s all I know because she’s never been to his place. I stare at the beautiful front porch with wide wooden stairs painted white.
He exits and then comes around to my side as I take in the front of his house. There’s a large driveway that leads to a massive garage. He opens my door and asks, “Are you okay?”