Page 79 of Psycho

He hands her a bag of medication.

“Antibiotics for seven days, and pain meds, in the event that you need them. Antibiotics are important. If you have further swelling or a fever, you need to call me immediately.”

I sit on the bed with her as Kage walks the doctor out.

“Look, Hadley, I don’t know what I’m doing here, so I’m going to have to ask you to tell me what you need. I’m not good at this.”

She smiles softly.

“You’re better than you think you are, but I’ll tell you what I need. Right now, I need to wash my hands, because I have bits of burnt weiner stuck to them.”

Rising off the bed, as I shake my head at her, I lift her in my arms and carry her to the bathroom. Setting her on the counter, I turn the water on for her, and get the soap ready.

“The doctor didn’t say I couldn’t walk.”

Giving her a glare, I let her know it’s not up for negotiation.

“Until I’m convinced you won’t hurt yourself, I will fucking carry you everywhere. Don’t argue with me, because you won’t win. Not when it comes to your wellbeing.”

“Fine. Carry my fat ass everywhere, but your arms are going to get tired.”

I narrow my gaze at her. “I don’t want to hear that shit again. I don’t know what kind of things you’re used to hearing about yourself, but that’s not something I’ll tolerate.”

The look on her face tells me everything I need to know. I shut the water off and lean down, kissing her neck, before I speak low.

“You’re perfect, Hadley. You always have been. Fucking beautiful. I promise you, anything that asshole said to you was a lie. Now, let’s get you home, so you can take a shower.”

“Home? Your house was set on fire.”

Right. Fuck. How had I forgotten that? It feels like a lifetime ago at this point.

Scooping her into my arms, I say, “Hotel then. The where doesn’t matter.”

I hold back my tongue, and don’t tell her that she’s my home. Wherever the fuck she is, is where I choose to be.

Bones stands outside the bedroom door when we exit.

“Your house is probably going to need some work. Come stay with us,” he glances at Hadley, before adding, “Both of you.”

“Thanks, brother, I appreciate it, but we’ll get a hotel.”

He arches an eyebrow and shakes his head.

“Mama wants to see her. She’s at my house waiting.”

I sigh heavily. I hate making her wait, but she needs to.

“Hadley has to be exhausted. We’ll come by for breakfast tomorrow. Tonight, she needs quiet and rest.”

He pats my shoulder as he turns away from us.

“Go get your girl settled. We will take care of shit here.”

I walk her out of the house, and she sighs a shaky breath. We get to my SUV, and I set her in the front seat, noticing tears streaming down her face.

“I did not think I’d leave there alive,” she says when she spots my concerned expression.

Kissing her on the cheek, I admit, “I wasn’t sure myself. This was the first time in my adult life where I experienced true terror.”

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