“You heard her. We trusted your agents to protect them and look at what happened. No, Lily and I are taking over,” Dresden says, hugging Shannon to his side.
Hyde lets out a long breath, turning toward his boss. “It’s your call, Bates.”
Edmond Bates smiles. “I believe we can find a middle ground. Agents Scholl and Williams have made such progress in other countries . . . I believe they need to make some progress on U.S. soil now. I’ll set up witness protection here, they can be with the Masons and do what we need to be done,” he says, glancing from me to Dresden.
I nod, slight and almost imperceptible, toward Dresden, which he returns.
“Agent Johanson and her partner, Agent Morris, will stay with you, though, so refrain from killing them. From this moment on, Agents Scholl and Williams are back in charge of this assignment. Which means anyone who contacts Monroe or me without going through them first will be fired for breaking protocol. Have a good day, Agents.” Bates turns on his heel and struts from the room, passing a nurse in the doorway.
“If you all don’t mind stepping into the waiting room, I need to check on Mr. Mason,” the nurse says, blushing as she looks at him.
Everyone files out before me, but I don’t want to leave, even for a minute. It’s been a lifetime since I’ve been with him.
“Lily,” Blake calls out.
I turn back and peek around the curtain. “Yes?”
“You stay,” he says sternly.
The nurse glances from me to him, her expression shocked. “I’m sorry, Mr. Mason, but only family can stay.”
He glares at her. “She’s my fiancée.”
“I . . . I apologize. Your chart lists you as single, no children,” she stutters.
I give him my sly grin, his eyes compelling me to come to him. I walk over to his good side, across from the nurse and run my fingers through his hair. He closes his eyes and moans, low in his throat. She stands back and watches us with a hurt expression on her face.
“I’m sure you’re disappointed, nurse . . .” I glance at her nametag. “Nora. But his chart is incorrect. He has me and a daughter.”
“Behave, Lily,” Blake whispers, a smile on his lips.
“Not likely. You know I’m a jealous woman,” I say, smiling at him as his eyes open.
He runs his good hand up and down my side. “You’re the only woman. My woman.”
My heart melts. I lean down to kiss him, my jacket shifting slightly. Blake glances to my collar, his eyes widening.
“What the hell is on your chest?”
“Uh, I’ll explain after the nurse leaves,” I say in a low voice, quickly pressing my lips to his and moving out of her way.
“Have you been updated on his injuries?” she says, looking at me.
“No.”
“Well, he’s suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder. Luckily, the bullet passed straight through, so the damage is minimal. A bullet also grazed his left side, but again, minimal damage.”
“When can he go home? What’s the healing time?” I ask, sitting forward in my chair.
“If all his lab work is good over the next few days, he should be able to go home then. He’ll need to use the sling for two to three months, but full healing could take as long as six months.” She helps him sit up. The sheet falls some, exposing the top of his leg.
I reach over and pull the sheet up against his waist. He turns his head toward me as t
he nurse changes the bandage on his shoulder.
“Jealous much?”
“You really wanna push your luck today?” I raise my left eyebrow at him.