Page 96 of Retaliation

Once she was done scrubbing, she scrambled out of the tub, balancing on one leg to put on the sweatpants and tank Nina had provided. She didn’t bother with the hassle of trying to get underwear or shoes on with just one arm.

Collecting her belongings, she limped to the door and swung the door open just to stammer back with a yelp. For a moment, her mind had played tricks on her, seeing Reaper in the doorway, but when her eyes finally focused, she stared into Nick’s disappointed face. Dropping her chin, she mentally kicked herself for acting like a child caught with a hand in the cookie jar.

“I knew you’d run,” Nick said, the teasing in his eyes belying the serious tone of his voice.

“You’re supposed to be doing your rounds at six,” she accused. “It’s barely five.”

“And you checking yourself out of the hospital right after surgery is exactly why I’m here at five and not six.”

“How’d you know?” she asked, shifting her full weight to her uninjured leg and adjusting the bag over her shoulder.

“Because you’ve never allowed me to discharge you in the eleven years I’ve known you,” he answered with a smile, taking her bag from her. “You really should get back into that bed. Allow your body to rest for a change.”

“If I haven’t waited for you to discharge me in eleven years, what makes you think I’d start following your advice now?” she teased, the smile she tried to give him faltering as pain crept into her jaw.

“Why are you on your feet?” a voice boomed from down the hallway as Scorpion came charging at her.

Her heart fluttered with the force of a thousand wasp wings as she took in the concern etched on his face, relief washing over her that it seemed as if he hadn’t encountered Reaper yet.

“I…” she stammered without knowing what to answer.

“You should be in bed,” he ordered when he reached her and, without warning, swept her carefully into his arms.

“Maybe you can talk some sense into her,” Nick laughed, and Scorpion aimed for the bed.

“Put me down,” she giggled and was surprised at the alienated reaction.

All thoughts of Reaper vanished from her mind as the warmth of Scorpion’s body seeped into hers.

“In bed, now,” Scorpion growled, sending the wasps to a knockout tournament in her stomach.

“Not this bed,” she protested. “I’ll get into bed, but not in a hospital.”

“If you promise to keep her bed-bound for at least four days,” Nick said from the doorway, and Scorpion turned with her to look at him. “She can go home, but you have to rest, Poison. Doctor’s orders.”

Poison gave Nick a grateful smile.

“I will make sure she takes the time she needs to recover,” Scorpion promised.

“I have already informed her work that she will be out for bit,” Nick said to Scorpion, and Poison watched the exchange as if at a tennis match.

“And I will make sure she doesn’t fight for at least four weeks,” Scorpion answered, and the men nodded in agreement.

“Hello?” she waved her cast between the two of them. “Ya’ll know I’m like right here?”

Looking up at the surprise on Scorpion’s face, she realized he had forgotten about her in his arms. How strong was this man? It wasn’t like she was a tiny thing. She was almost five foot eight of pure muscle and curves, but he held her like a feather. His eyes gleamed inches from hers, and she could feel his breath on her cheek. Fuck, he was handsome and being this close to him, his scent overwhelmed her senses.

“Let’s get you home,” he said with a smile and headed to the door.

“I can walk by myself, you know?” she told him, glancing up at him.

“I’ll get a wheelchair,” Nick offered, but Scorpion

stopped him.

“I carried her in here, so I’ll carry her out, as well.”

And Poison wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole as her face burned the brightest shade of red known to humankind.

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