Page 64 of Tactically Acquired

“Well…because she’s qualified,” Thumper retorted. “Are you telling me that you don’t think Rae can handle Spencer?”

She was absolutely qualified, but if I threw a fit over this, they would find a way to make it look like I didn’t think Rae could handle protecting a man, and then I would end up with my balls in a sling.

“Fine. I’ll take care of Audrey.”

“See? It’s better this way,” Thumper grinned. “Oh, and you’ll need to tend her wounds and stay the night with her. Concussions can be a bitch.”

I gnashed my teeth as I watched him leave. The fucker just loved screwing with me. That was fine. He didn’t have to do a damn thing. It was my job to take care of her, and what she needed was a fucking doctor.

I very carefully raised her from my lap and settled her back in the seat, then buckled her in. As I got out, IRIS cocked his head at me. “Whatcha doin’?”

“Taking her to the hospital.”

“Why?”

“Because she has a fucking concussion, asshole.”

He sighed dramatically and walked over to me. “Fine. I’ll drive.”

“Thanks, but I got this.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard that before. Then I walked in on you and Fox throwing knives at each other.”

18

AUDREY

Opening my eyes in the hospital was something I really hadn’t expected, yet it wasn’t the weirdest thing I experienced in the first ten seconds upon waking.

“Mr. Jeffries, your wife is waking up.”

I blinked several times at the kind-looking nurse beside me, sure I was hearing things. She smiled at me, brushing a hand over my forehead. “How are you feeling, sweetie?”

“My head hurts,” I mumbled.

She nodded. “Well, that’s to be expected. Your husband has been very worried about you.”

Husband? When had I gotten married? Oh, God. Did I have amnesia? I tried to sit up, but the nurse held me down with a gentle touch to my shoulder.

“There, there, sweetie. Try not to get too excited. You had us all worried there for a little bit.”

“You sure did.”

I swiveled my head at the sound of the vaguely familiar voice. “Baldy?”

He smirked at me, nodding as he bent over to kiss my forehead. “Yeah, it’s me, sweetheart.”

“Sweetheart?” I gasped, jerking away from his touch. “Why are you?—”

“This was to be expected,” the nurse sighed. She turned to me, picking up my hand to pat it gently. “Do you remember me? You woke up once before. My name is Charla.”

When I didn’t respond, she shook her head.

“The doctor will be in soon to look at you. Don’t worry. We’ll get this all worked out.”

“All what worked out?”

“She really doesn’t remember,” Baldy frowned.

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