Page 76 of His Kingdom

“No, I really don’t. I’m going to sit on the sofa,” I tell him, making my way through to the living room.

He brings me a bottle of water and sits next to me. “Are you in pain? Do you need anything?”

I shake my head. “I don’t need anything. Just you.”

True to his word, Louie didn’t leave my side for the entirety of the week I spent at the hospital. There were times he’d walk outside the room to talk to Sammie or Carlo, but he’d always stand where he could see me. Where I could seehim.

“I really do appreciate you staying with me. I know you have a lot of work to do,” I tell him after a moment of silence.

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else, Charlotte. You’re my wife. That makes you my number one priority. If you need me, then I’m going to be there. Always,” Louie says.

“You don’t have to stay now if there are things you need to do. I’ll be okay.”

“I’m not leaving you alone.”

“Evie and Rachel are here,” I remind him.

“Evie and Rachel aren’t me,” he replies. “I don’t think I’m ready to leave you just yet.”

“Then don’t.” I don’t care how long he stays glued to my side. I like it. At least I know he’s safe, and no one is trying to kill him.

The few times I’ve asked Louie about the guy, about what happens next, he’s shut me down with vague answers. I know he doesn’t want me to worry, but I don’t know how I can let him walk out that door and not worry. I was engaged to a police officer and I never once worried about Owen not coming home. I always knew it was a possibility. It didn’t faze me. But the thought of Louie walking out the door and not coming back has my heart increasing and my palms sweaty.

Sammie and Carlo pop in a few minutes later. “Boss, a word,” Sammie says, nodding his head towards the hall that leads to Louie’s home office.

“I’ll be right back.” Louie stands before placing a kiss to the middle of my forehead.

Carlo comes and sits next to me. He looks nervous.What the hell is going on?

“I have a question. It’s a girl thing,” he says.

“Pretty sure you’re past that talk.” I laugh. “What’s up?”

“Not that type of question. It’s Jazzy. She keeps asking me to braid her hair. I don’t know how to fucking braid hair and no matter how many YouTube videos I watch, I can’t get it right,” he says.

“Okay, first of all, braids are not just a girl thing. Second, it’s easy. I’ll teach you.” I run my fingers through to the end of my hair. Pulling it over my shoulder before I separate the strands. “You need to start with three sections and just cross them over each other like this.” I demonstrate a few pleats before handing my hair to him. “Here, you keep going.”

Carlo looks behind us and then back at me. “If I die, I’ve made you and Louie Jazzy’s guardians,” he tells me, taking hold of the strands.

“You’re not dying.” I roll my eyes.

“I might… in a few minutes.” He laughs, his fingers fumbling as he attempts to braid my hair. He is really bad. I didn’t think braiding hair was that difficult.

“Is there a reason you’re touching my wife’s hair, or are you just looking to lose your fucking hands?” Louie growls—yes, growls—as he storms towards us.

“Relax. I was teaching him how to braid. For Jazzy. But it might be a lost cause.” I look from my husband, back to Carlo. “Just bring her over and I’ll do it for her.”

“Get a fucking doll and practice. Don’t touch my wife,” Louie grunts. He then turns to face me, and his whole demeanor softens. “Sweetheart, I have to go downstairs and deal with something real quick. Will you be okay here?”

I want to say no. I want to tell him not to leave me. But he has to work. He’s a busy man, and I can’t be needy. “I’ll be fine. Evie and Rachel are coming over.”

They’re both staying in the suite next door. Rachel flew out here as soon as she heard what happened to me. I thought Louie was bad at hovering. But having an actual doctor for a best friend? Yeah, she’s put that man to shame.

I made the girls promise not to tell anyone about my injury. The last thing I need is my parents flying out here because I was shot. Besides, I’m fine. I don’t need to worry them.

“Carlo, go get the girls and tell them they need to come now,” Louie says. “At least one of them is a doctor.” He saysthisunder his breath, as if he’s trying to assure himself he can leave me.

“I’ll be fine. Go work. Do whatever you have to do.” I never thought I’d say it, but I miss working. I wonder if I can help out around the casino. But then the thought of actually going downstairs sends panic through me.

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