Incandescent

“I know, honey. We just wanted to see you. Make sure you’re all right. We’ll be back first thing. If you want to do up a list, we can go pick up your stuff and take it back to our house, for when you’re ready to come home.”

“That won't be necessary,” I tell them straight up. They all look over to me,

“Nix,” Kadence begins before I cut her off.

“No, Kadence, this one thing I’m not budgin’ on. You’re stayin’ with me. Respect to your mom and dad, babe, but you're with me; that makes you my responsibility. I look after what’s mine.”

“Nix, I’m not a possession to claim. I can get Mom and Dad to look after me. You have Z.”

“Like hell, you're not. You're my woman, one of the most important people in my life. You’re mine and it’s killin’ me seein’ you in this bed. I promise you, Kadence, this won't happen again. I’m not lettin’ you out of my sight.” She rolls her eyes and tries to hide her pleasure at me claiming her in front of her parents.

“Quit sassin’ your man, darlin'. If he’s a good man, he’ll look after his woman,” her dad orders, looking over at me.

“He is a good man, Daddy,” Kadence quietly replies, looking up at me.

“I know, baby girl. I can already tell,” he agrees, leaning down to kiss her forehead.

“I’m sorry, but your time is up.” The young nurse from earlier comes in checking Kadence’s chart.

“We’ll be back tomorrow morning.” Her mom leans down kissing her, while her dad comes around to where I sit. I stand when he stops in front of me.

“Good to meet you, Nix.” Offering me his hand, I take it in mine. He moves forward into my space, his voice lowered, “I don’t have to remind you that she’s my only girl, and we’ve already been through a world of pain. You mess with her, you’re messing with me.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” I tell him, looking him in the eye. I have no intention of messing with Kadence. This week has proven to me just how much I want her in my life. He nods, letting my hand go and stepping back.

Mrs. Turner steps forward. Her small arms come around me. She stands at the same height as Kadence. “Look after her,” I hear her say quietly before she pulls back. It’s not a question, more a request, one I very much plan on doing. With a final goodbye, they leave us alone, following the nurse out.

Leaning down, I gently kiss her over her eye. She holds on strong, the pain and anguish kept at bay until her parents leave the room. Her body slightly shakes the moment the door latches, unraveling in front of me.

“I swear, Kadence, I'm nearly comin’ out of my skin seeing his marks on you and watchin’ you break.”

“I’m sorry,” she cries harder, tying to wipe at her swollen face.

“Hey, it’s okay. It’s go

“Will you find out about Holly for me?” She looks up, concerned for her friend.

“I will,” I promise, still holding onto her hand tightly. I want to climb into the bed with her, crawl inside of her, and take the pain she’s feeling away, but I know that I can’t. I can barely touch her without the fear of hurting her.

“Z, Pops and the boys are in the waitin’ room,” I let her know. I want her to know Z is here for her; that all the boys are worried about her.

“Z’s out there?” she says shocked while trying to sit up. “How was your time away? Is Z okay?” she fires off, and her response warms me. This woman owns my heart. Lying in a hospital bed, surviving what she just did, and she’s worrying about my son. Fuck, I love her.

“He missed you,” I tell her the truth. “And quit tryin’ to move. You have a broken rib.”

“He did?” she ignores my concern.

I nod, smiling down at her. “Wanted to come home early so he could have you make him the lasagna dish you served him last week.”

“I missed him too. I missed you both like crazy,” she whispers, looking unsure. She’s only saying what I’m thinking. As much as I needed to be away with Z, I still missed her, wished every night I could hold her in my arms.

I reach out and run my finger along her busted lip. “I missed you, too. Missed you so fuckin’ bad.”

She nods. A tear slips from her eye and I wipe it away with my thumb.

“I need to say goodbye to Z and let Pops know I’m go

She protests, telling me there is no point because they won't let me stay.

“Don’t care. I’ll sleep outside your door,” I state. “I’m not lettin’ you out of my sight, Kadence.” I won't. It's my promise. With Zane dead, who knows what Gu

“Sir?” The young nurse interrupts, cutting Kadence off from arguing with me anymore. “You need to leave,” she insists.

“Goin’ now and not ‘cause you told me to. Fair warnin’, I will be back shortly. I'm not leavin’ her side. You need to find whoever is responsible for that process and let them know.” Her eyes bug out, like she’s frightened by my voice or the tone of it. My deep rumble always helps to get my point across with fewer arguments.

“Quit your bossiness, Nix. You’re scaring the poor girl,” Kadence calls over my shoulder.

“Just givin’ the woman some warnin’. I’m coming back and I’m go

Tonight could have gone a lot worse. The truth of that lays in the fate of Holly, right now still in surgery fighting for her life. In my opinion, Zane fucking Edwards got off way too easy. I’m not sure a bullet in the head will ever make up for beating my woman, but Kadence is right; sitting in jail wouldn’t help her or Z. I know I made that vow five years ago to stay clean and keep on the correct side of the law, but if anyone so much as tries anything again, that promise will be broken.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Kadence

The dull ache in my side stirs me. The distinct smell of antiseptic burns my nostrils. The a

“Do you ever leave this hospital?” I ask, smiling at her. My voice is starting to feel slightly better, but still croaks on certain words. She shakes her head at me. Her blonde, short hair is tucked behind one ear showing off her cute face. The blues of her eyes shine brightly when they meet with mine.

“Just started my third shift of a five-day roster,” she groans, and I feel her pain. I’m not sure who has it worse, me with a broken rib, or her dealing with patients and long shifts.

“I don’t envy you,” I say as she comes to the end of the bed and picks up my chart.

“How’s the pain?” she asks, taking notes down on the folder.

“I feel a lot better today,” I tell her, trying to sit up with as little pain as possible.

“Did Nix come back last night?” I ask, wondering where he is.

“If you mean the sexy-as-sin man who has been demanding and overbearing since you got here? Then yes, he’s out in the waiting room.”

“Oh, God, he doesn’t know when to stop,” I cry out. The insufferable man makes my heart stop, my mind go crazy and still manages to make me smile.

“Going by that smile, I’d say you’re not bothered if he never stopped?”

If she only knew.

“I wouldn’t either,” she continues before I can answer her. “I just ran into him and a whole lot of male hotness. They nearly gave Jan, at the nurses’ station, a heart attack. All that leather is dangerous.”

I smile at her description of the Knights Rebels. Dangerous is an understatement.

“Have you heard any news about my friend?” I ask, hoping she has something more to tell me. No one is saying much. I know Holly just came out of her second surgery last night, but I can’t get a solid answer if she is going to survive. The thought that she might not live is tearing me up. I don’t think I will ever cope if she doesn’t pull through.