Page 91 of The Situation Ship
“Can’t argue with you there,” Isaiah said, sitting in the armchair beside her.
“How’s Mina?” Poppy asked, disappointed she wasn’t with him but understanding that Mina needed all the rest she could get. Mina had probably texted, but Poppy’s phone was still in the cupboard with her clothes, and she didn’t have the strength yet to get out of bed and check it. They could FaceTime when she got home; video calls had become a must during their recovery. They had even binge-watched a couple of series to help with their boredom. Two people who usually lived with packed schedules didn’t do well on bed rest.
“She’s going stir-crazy at home. Eckells insisted she move into his penthouse above the club, since she has a long recovery ahead of her and refused to stay in the hospital,” Isaiah said. Poppy was sure the next time she saw the duo that they would have either killed each other or got married.
“At least we can book physio appointments together. Friends who recover from attempted murder stay together!”
“You wouldn’t be talking about me, would you?” Mina asked coming through the door with her purple, bejewelled walking stick.
“Only when it’s behind your back! You didn’t have to come. I’ll be home tomorrow,” Poppy said, as Eckells followed close behind and helped Mina sit at the end of Poppy’s bed.
“You’d come if it was me. Besides, coming here was the only way he’d let me out of the house,” Mina said, talking about Eckells as though he wasn’t in the room.
“Doc said that unless it’s for physio, you should be resting. Don’t blame me for following their post-op instructions,” Eckells said, looking at Mina like this wasn’t the first time they had discussed it. “I’m just looking out for my employee. The last time I let you out of my sight, you nearly ended up dead.”
Poppy glanced at Isaiah and tried to conceal her smile. They knew he cared about her far more than any boss they had ever known. If Poppy had met Eckells out and about, she would have been intimidated by him. Yet with Mina he was utterly smitten, starkly contrasting to the ruthless businessman she had heard about.
“Are you going to hold this over me forever? I think I learned my lesson,” Mina groaned, gesturing to her legs.
“No, but until you’ve recovered, I’m going to make sure you get the help you need, whether you like it or not.” Eckells was probably the only person who could make looking after someone sound like a threat.
“Don’t be too hard on him. He’s only trying to help.” Poppy winked at Mina, and she rolled her eyes. Eckells almost smiled, though it looked like the gesture might cause him pain.
“You’re looking rough,” he said briskly, ever the charmer.
“Thanks. Hospital gowns and hair nets aren’t exactly flattering,” Poppy said, looking at her gown and compression socks.
“I was talking about your boyfriend.” Eckells smirked, jabbing at Isaiah.
Poppy had noted how exhausted Isaiah looked too. His captain at work hadn’t been all that thrilled about his involvement in the case in Italy. Still, thankfully, he hadn’t been fired– only suspended for disobeying orders. His partnerMichael had come by to tell him he was lucky to only receive a slap on the wrist. Since Duggery had been found in his office, and Sophia was seen leaving his office on the cameras across the street, Captain Roberts had admitted that he was right to investigate the murders. As Sophia had followed Poppy to every scene without taking as much caution as she should, she’d ended up taking the blame for Poppy’s crimes.
Sophia’s potential imprisonment had she lived, had forced Poppy to ask herself whether she deserved to suffer the same fate. They had both killed, and both believed they were justified in their actions. Unlike Sophia, though, Poppy knew she would never kill again now that she and those she cared for were safe. Even if she felt like justice had been done, she still felt the weight of the lives she had taken, the chain of events she had triggered, and she accepted that she would carry the consequences for the rest of her life.
“Is the security necessary?” she asked, looking at the door where two bodyguards were waiting.
“Better to be safe than sorry. I wanted you to have peace of mind while you’re recovering,” Eckells said, looking at Isaiah as though they had already discussed the matter.
“Don’t bother trying to reason with him. You can’t,” Mina said, glancing at Eckells, who winked at her.
“I love the walking stick. The jewels make it pop,” Poppy said, liking the new modifications. Davide had damaged the ball and socket joint in her right hip.
“Did it myself. I had to do something, since I’m under house arrest,” Mina said, folding the walking stick to fit in her tote bag.
“Only Mina would consider a penthouse suite a jail cell,” Eckells grumbled, putting his hand in his pockets.
“It’s more the warden who likes to hover.” Mina smiled. Eckells rolled his eyes.
“Do you two want the room? We can give you some privacy if you want to continue flirting,” Isaiah put in. Mina blushed, while Eckells suddenly found the heart monitor fascinating.
“How’s the shoulder?” Mina asked innocently.
“How’s your leg?” Poppy countered, and they both erupted into laughter. Poppy groaned as the movement jarred her shoulder.
Isaiah and Eckells looked at the pair like they had lost their minds.
A nurse came in and looked at the crowd around Poppy’s bed. “Plenty of visitors, I see. Don’t worry, everyone. She is in great hands and should be out of here soon. How’s the pain?” the nurse asked as Isaiah gave her space to work.
“About a five,” Poppy said, and Mina held her good hand.
