Page 21 of Fixation
I have another hour into my shift. Haven’t been relieved yet. Don’t care.
I’m getting her out of here.
“Twenty minutes, tops,” I whisper to avoid being overheard by the staff. “We’ll be home in twenty.”
Her hands are balled into fists, knuckles grazing my chest. “So cold.”
“Fuck.” I hold her closer.
As if that’ll help.
With her cheeks so flushed, I hardly see her freckles. Her body is searing me through my scrubs.
She needs a bath and a warm bed andsoon.
The staff room is on my right. Locker rooms are further down the hall. I’ve got to swing by there to grab my things before we head out.
Once we’re back in our neighborhood, I’ll need to be on high alert. Especially in that short window between the garage and my front door, when I’m carrying her.
Sergey might be watching. That bastard feeds off control.
I can’t afford to slip.
Which is why I pause, considering the whole thing.
There’s still time to spare her from all of this. To spare her fromme.
The wise thing to do would be to have her admitted to the trauma unit, where she’d be treated.
She needs fluids. Meds. The dedicated staff members would closely watch over her.
This particular hospital is one of the best ones in the country. They can offer her all of this and more.
Had I not been here, that’s what they’d do.
But Iamhere.
And that changes everything. It’ll be okay. No one will hurt her.
She has me now. With her in my arms, I’m done waiting.
I’m going to take care of her.
Financially. Emotionally. Physically.
I’ll guard her with my life. Keep her in my basement where I can treat her.
At first, Harper might reject this idea.
I won’t let her brush me off.
Part of me realizes I’m being selfish, but I don’t care. Not when she’s in this state.
Out of everyone, I know what’s best for her. I’ve been watching her long enough to figure out what she needs.
Me. She needs me.
“Hmm. Hmm.” Poor thing. Trembling while she’s passed out.
