Page 133 of His to Save

Ellis rears back. “Why?”

“Atlas killed his own father because of me. What… what if he regrets it or resents me because of it?”

He snaps his fingers together. “Gonna stop you right there. That man loves you. Fucking adores you. Worships the ground you walk on. I was there when he found out you were missing, that his dad took you. The only regret he could possibly have is not ending that miserable son of a bitch sooner. He was a monster, Nora. You know it, I know it, and Atlas damn sure knows it. He was a threat to not only you, but women as a whole, and frankly, the world is better off without him. So cut that shit out, you hear me?”

I sniffle and nod. “I’ll try.”

He sighs. “I mean it. And if you can’t, talk to Maggie about it, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Promise?”

“Yeah, I promise.”

“Promise what?” Atlas asks, walking back into the room.

“Your girl here was just promising to make me your son’s godfather.” He whistles and nods his head. “His namesake and his godfather. I must be a helluva man. A role model, even.”

“Christ,” Atlas groans. “This has all gone straight to your head, hasn’t it?”

Ellis shrugs, his lips curled into a shit-eating grin.

“Anyway.” Atlas pointedly turns away from Ellis. “Nurses’ station said it’s basically a waiting game for the paperwork at this point. So, good news, you definitely get to go home today. Bad news, I’m not super sure when.”

“As long as I get to go home, I’m good.”

Atlas leans over me and presses a kiss to my lips. “Just rest, Pip. We’ll be out of here soon enough.”

Soon enoughjust so happens to come three hours later.

“Now, don’t forget,” Dr. Duplantier says, “your follow-up appointment with the orthopedist has already been scheduled; you can find the date and time in your discharge paperwork. And, as I mentioned earlier, I strongly suggest following up with your OB and a mental health professional.”

I nod, too exhausted to talk. I am so beyond ready to get out of here. All I want is to shower this godforsaken day off me, find something to eat, and snuggle up with Atlas. I’m desperate for the comfort only he can offer me.

“Well then, let’s get you out of here.” The doctor’s words are punctuated by a nurse stepping into the room with a wheelchair in tow.

A groan escapes me as I cross my arms over my chest. “Is this really necessary?” I ask.

Atlas and Ellis both cross their arms over their chest and glare at me, sayingyesin tandem. Dr. Duplantier just laughs. “Hospital policy, I'm afraid.”

“Fine.” I uncross my arms and push the blankets down, only to realize I’m wearing nothing more than a hospital gown. “Um…” I force myself to swallow as my cheeks burn crimson. “I need clothes.”

“Wait!” Ellis jumps up. “I brought some from the house. They’re in my car. Be right back!”

True to his word, Ellis is back in a flash. Atlas helps me hobble into the bathroom and takes great care dressing me in my favorite leggings and one of his sweaters. Unfortunately, Ellis forgot my shoes.

I could wear the ones from earlier today, but the thought of putting them on makes my skin crawl. The only thing I want to do with anything I was wearing today is burn it.

Good thing they brought the wheelchair, I guess.

“You ready, Pip?” Atlas asks.

“So ready.”

“Let’s get you home, then.”

CHAPTER 48

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