Page 60 of Shadow Hunter

“Down boy,” she said, the sparkle in her eyes promising to circle back to the…other part later. “Back to Carl. He would have ratted us out. And then…”

“Every vamp in Rochester would know where we are,” he finished.

“Yes, exactly.” She nodded. “Don’t worry. I staked him.”

Damon growled his approval. “Good girl.”

“But then, when I came back for you, your heart was barely beating and I…had to call an ambulance.” She twirled a single finger to indicate the room around them. “That’s how we ended up here.” She let out a long sigh. “I thought you would heal quickly—you know, with all the extra Execution Underground abilities—but you didn’t. Joseph said when Caius stabbed you he nicked your brachial artery, which is why you lost so much blood.”

Damon mulled over the current situation. Him in a hospital with all his…extra abilities was not good, and that begged the question how Tiffany had explained his injuries, not to mention what she would do about any fallout from what had happened at the restaurant.

But more importantly... “Who is Joseph?”

“A guy I knew in undergrad. He’s a couple of years older, so he’s already doing his residency. He’s kind of sweet on me.”

Damon frowned. It didn’t matter whether she was his, whether she still hated him for what he’d done to Mark or not, he still didn’t like the possibility of another men, other manwho was sweet on her, being a part of her life. He loved her. Whether she realized it or not.

Which meant he had to find a way to tell her. And soon.

To summon those three little words into his throat.

He eyed the way she was nuzzling into him, uncertain how or when to find the perfect moment. But he would. For both their sakes.

“Don’t worry,” she said, misinterpreting his stare. “I told him we were mugged, but I asked him not to call the cops until you woke up. I figured if the cops showed, you’d know how to handle them, but I think we might be able to slip out of here unnoticed before they arrive. I don’t think Joseph bought the mugging explanation for a second, but he’s eager to please me. Plus, I offered him a thousand bucks to keep his mouth shut.”

Damon rubbed the base of his neck to ease the tension. “You usually have that much cash lying around, Shortcake?”

Shrinking in on herself, Tiffany looked away from him. She was flat broke, and he knew it from the way she’d talked in her letters. Most college students were. Now, with Mark dead, all she was living off was Mark’s death insurance.

She bit her lower lip. “Well...I…kinda stole it from your wallet.”

He chuckled. “Never pegged you for a pickpocket, Shortcake. I suppose when I file for reimbursement with Headquarters, I’ll make sure to list it under bribed by pint sized beauty.”

She laughed. “I prefer fun-sized,” she teased. “But then...it was my fault you were almost dead to begin with.”

An uncomfortable silence settled between them.

He lifted her chin with two fingers. “As you said, if you hadn’t brought me here I’d be dead, so I’m thankful for that. Headquarters will pay for your friend’s silence and the hospital bill. Don’t worry about it.” He paused. “Though we need to get me out of this hellhole.”

She smacked herself in the forehead. “I forgot you told me once you hate hospitals.” She scrambled off the bed and pulledout his clothes from the small closet. “Here. I made sure the EMTs didn’t cut them off.” She tossed the clothes to him.

“Thanks.”

She glanced at the floor, refusing to meet his eyes. “You’re welcome.”

He could tell she was upset, knew what was bothering her, but he wasn’t ready to allow himself to go there. Not yet. He swung his legs off the bed and stood. An IV dangled from his arm. Ugh. There was nothing worse than the poking and prodding of annoying hospital staff. Without flinching, he pulled out the needle. When he faced front again, Tiffany stood in silence, staring at him as he untied the back of his robe.

A sly grin snaked across his face. “Admiring the show?”

Her sly grin coupled with her blush was priceless. “Sorry.”

She turned in the opposite direction.

He dropped the hospital robe and examined the bandage across his shoulder. The wound beneath it was probably healing over already. With the extra help from the hospital to keep him breathing, a nick in his artery wasn’t his idea of a fun time, but he’d recover fully in a few days.

He pulled on his jeans. “You can turn around now. I’m dressed.”

Tiffany faced him, and her eyes swept over his bare chest. “I thought you said you were dressed?”

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