Page 75 of His Kingdom

“I’m not going anywhere,” I assure her.

Charlotte nods before turning to Evie. “Now, you. Why are you back?”

“Shit, it’s my mom. I gotta take this.” Evie waves at her phone, which isn’t even ringing, and runs out the door.

“Emmanuel brought her here,” I explain.

“Louie?”

“Yeah?”

“I want to go home,” Charlotte says.

“I’m going to take you home, as soon as the doctor says I can,” I promise her.

“Will you stay with me?” she asks.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“Thank you.” She smiles and yawns.

“Thankyou. You literally saved my life today, sweetheart, but don’t do it again.”

“It’s what wives do,” she says, her eyes fluttering closed. “I like being your wife.”

ChapterThirty-Four

It’s been a week since I was shot, and I finally get to go home. I kept asking the staff when I was going to be released, but I think Louie had warned the doctor to keep me in that damn hospital for as long as possible. He’s not overly happy over the fact I’ve been discharged.

The car stops out front of the Royal Flush. I know I was itching to come home, but having to walk through the casino again…. Yeah, I’m not so sure about that. A light sheen of sweat covers my forehead and my heart picks up speed at the thought.

“Louie, I…” I look at him. I don’t know what to say.

“I’ve got you. You are safe here, Charlotte. I promise,” he says.

“But areyou?” I ask him.

“Yes.”

“I don’t know if I can go in there,” I admit.

“We’ll use the staff entrance. You don’t have to go onto the casino floor,” he says. “Come on.” He opens the door, jumps down from the SUV, and then reaches in and picks me up.

“What are you doing? Put me down. I can walk,” I tell him.

“No,” he says, walking inside the casino before making a quick left.

“What do you meanno? I can walk, Louie. Put me down,” I repeat.

“And I can carry you.I want to,” he says.

I don’t realize the death grip I have on him until we enter his penthouse and he sets me down on the bed. He has to pry my hands from his shirt so he can stand. Though he does appear reluctant to do it.

“Don’t move,” Louie instructs before turning and walking out of the room.

I get up and follow him. Pain goes straight through to my shoulder, but I push through it. I’m not sitting around in bed for another week.

“What are you doing? You need to be in bed,” Louie says.

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