Page 75 of Wild Card

“Nah, he and I are coming to an understanding.”

“Then I will kill you.Get out.”

I chuckle lowly. “Careful, Princess, your neck is splotching. We don’t want you worked up.”

“This is not funny. You are being intrusive.”

“You’ll get used to it.”

“Never mind, I’ll stay in this heinous hospital gown,” she snips.

My arms curls around her waist, tagging her to me. I sweep my lips across hers, feeling her breath hitch. “You have three minutes. I’ll be outside the door.”

Before she can argue, I close her in.

Sterling shuffles through the door, stopping dead when he sees the empty bed.

“She’s changing.”

He scrubs his hands over his face, dropping his chin to his chest. For the first time since we arrived, I witness the man’s demanding character slip as his shoulders slump. “I wish Stacy wouldn’t have woken her.”

I remain quiet because regardless of my thoughts, Stacy is still his wife.

“Even through it all, she is worried.”

“She’s her mother.”

His angry eyes slice up to meet mine. “She made selfish and bad decisions.”

“Willow said the same thing.”

“She told you?”

“No details.”

“It’s not a pretty story, but it’s also not mine to tell. You want to date my daughter?”

His question comes out of the blue. “I am dating your daughter.”

“You see this going somewhere?”

“Think that’s obvious.”

“Then make sure you take care of her. She’s been hurt by the people who were supposed to love her the most, including me.”

I don’t get to expand on this information because Willow comes out of the bathroom looking completely refreshed.

“I’m starving,” she tells her dad. “Think you can pull some strings and get me something safe and approved?”

He smiles, the anger disappearing as he grins. “Sure, something can be arranged.”

“Good.” She breezes past me and climbs into the bed. “And so you both know, barring any allergic effects, I’m going home tomorrow.”

Sterling and I lock gazes, thinking the same thing.

She may be going home. But she’s not going home alone.

As pissed as she is,she can’t hide her reaction when we turn onto my street and the house comes into view. The closer we get, the more her eyes and mouth widen.

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