Page 111 of Nothing to Fear

“When was the last time you got some, Brant?” one of the brothers asked.

“Yeah, you’re damn bitter these days, man.”

“Stop teasing him,” Alice said. “We have to make a decision.”

“What’s the debate?” she asked, rocking into Darroch’s grasp when he tempted her mouth back to his for a longer tender kiss.

Thank God he broke the union, she would’ve stayed there forever otherwise.

“The doctors want me to stay another night.”

No debate. “Then you stay.”

“I don’t want to stay.”

Her fingers sank into his hair. “I don’t care, you take your medicine.”

“You don’t want me home?”

To be alone in bed with him, watching him rest? Safe and healthy? More than anything in the world. What she wanted didn’t matter. He’d do what was best for him, what would keep him with her for the longest time.

And she wasn’t ashamed of that truth. “I’d rather you spend one night out than a lifetime in the ground.”

“That’s kind of dramatic, baby.”

She kissed him. “You like that?”

“Kissing you?” This time he was the one drawing their mouths together. “Every damn time, baby.”

Her face stayed in the cradle of his hands, but she swayed away when he tried again to kiss her. “Harder to kiss me if you’re dead.”

“She’s got you there, bud.”

“If you’re staying another night, we’ll have someone posted in your room,” the white coat guy said, coming closer.

“I’m going home,” Darroch said.

“Against your lady’s wishes?” Troy asked.

“They’re posting a guy on the door, security, to keep us apart.”

Any barrier between them made her uneasy. A person responsible for standing between them…? Yeah, it upset her, but these doctors were professionals. If they believed he needed to be observed, could she advise against that?

She told the truth. “I want whatever is best for you.”

From him, she looked to Alice. If anyone else could appreciate her dilemma, his mother was the one.

“Ben is making arrangements,” Alice reassured her.

“Arrangements?”

“It would be best for Mr. Breckenridge to remain here,” a doctor type said.

“For observation,” Darroch added. “You’ve been observing, I’m fine.” He squeezed her knee. “And the drugs are out of my system.”

“Okay…” Benedict’s voice brought her attention around to him entering the room. “We have a neurologist on his way to the house and two home nurses will be there within the hour.”

“Mr. Breckenridge,” the doctor said. “If something goes wrong, it could happen fast. Having a specialist on site does not matter if they don’t have the facilities and equipment—”

---