Page 120 of Triple Power Play 3
A gentle touch glides along my rough jawline, and I stir.
“Charlie, could you take the handcuffs off so I can sit on the bed? There’s plenty of room.”
“Not a good idea.”
The obscurity ebbs, and I recall that bossy tone.Ethan.
“But my feet hurt.”
I see that adorable pout in my mind’s eye, and my mouth twitches.
“You never listen,” he grumbles.
The metal unlocks from my wrist. “That’s what I said,” my partner comments.
“Youdon’t get to say.”
Another voice, this one provoking, although I’m unsure why.
My hand covers hers, and I settle into her touch, breathing her in. Her sweet, enticing scent drowns out the sharp smell of the hospital, and I weave our fingers together.
I blink my eyes open.
“Hey,” she chokes out. Tears stream down her cheeks, and her body shakes with sobs.
“Shh.” I attempt to cradle her face, but my other arm is useless, covered in thick bandaging.
“It’s okay.” Her lips quiver. She struggles to continue. “Stay still. You were shot.”
I furrow my brows and peer at the crowd gathered behind her. Most are familiar, a few medical staff.
“The twins went home to rest, to Ethan’s place.” Aurora draws my attention back to her. “The beach house is now the headquarters for the raid you set up. Do you remember?”
“Our twins?” I wipe away her tears.
Her head tilts. “No…”
Memories emerge, my mind distinguishing reality from dreams. “Desi and Dante came from New York for Thanksgiving.”
She nods. “Right. That was yesterday—I think.”
“We went swimming.” I smirk. “You dragged me into the pool.”
Her red-rimmed eyes sparkle. “I was hoping you forgot that part.”
“I remember everything before then. After is foggy… There were gunshots at our house. You…” Fear consumes me, and that damn alarm sounds. “They were after you.”
I seek Charlie with a questioning stare, wincing at the sharp pain in my temples from the overhead lights.
He steps closer. “We handled it.”
A nurse or doctor comes to the other end of the bed to check the annoying beeping. I concentrate until my head is pounding, and I have to close my eyes.
I drift in and out of sleep. People move quietly about the room, chairs creak, doors open and shut, and the entire time, Aurora never leaves my side.
When I wake, I draw her to me. “Lie with me.”
She scoots closer. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
