Heartthrob (The Bennett Brothers 3)

“I’m ready.” He pushes up.

“Hold up, killer. I need to disconnect a few of these IVs.” I clamp the lines and unscrew the clasps. The heart monitor beeps noisily once disconnected, and before I can turn it off, a section of the wall slams open. Stefan rushes in with a crazed expression.

“What’s going on?” he roars.

“Rocket and I are going for a stroll to check his strength,” I explain, moving the sheets to the side and seeing the flannel pajama bottoms under the hospital gown. My nose stings at the Miami football logo print fabric.

“Is that wise? He just finished a chemo treatment.”

“Which means he may feel the effects later this evening. I’d like to get him out of bed for a few minutes. It’s good for the circulation and the spirit.”

“Yeah, bro. Got to keep that circulation and spirit pumping,” Carlos teases.

“Let me help you get him up.” Stefan closes in on his other side.

“I got this.” Carlos plants his feet on the ground and lifts up steadily.

He’s been able to get back and forth to the bathroom, but that’s all the walking we’ve done. Today, I want to test his endurance with a longer distance.

“Where to?”

“This is a large area, so let’s start with circles around the room,” I suggest.

Carlos crinkles his eyebrows and focuses on his brother. “That sucks. Stefan, can’t you let us into a hallway or something?”

I whip my head to see Stefan’s lips in a thin line as he stares at his brother. Apparently, I’m not the only one feeling imprisoned in this place.

After a few seconds, his face softens, and he nods. “Sure, buddy, but I’m going to stroll with you. Let’s go this way.” He goes to a keypad on the wall, punches in a code, and another section of the wall opens.

The hallway in front of us is the exact opposite of the one I’m used to. The one leading to my room is stark white and bland, whereas this is painted in a soft grey with large pictures lining the walls. Carlos seems familiar with it, flashing me a smile over his shoulder before he takes off.

“His posture and balance are good for someone basically bedridden the last four days,” Stefan comments as we follow behind.

“Mmmhmm,” I reply, taking in the abstract artwork on the walls. Since I was kidnapped, I’ve been limited to my room, the hallway, the lab, and Carlos’s custom hospital room. There have been no clues to where we actually are. I suspect it’s a secluded house or hidden facility, but can’t be sure. The only people I’ve come into contact with are Stefan, Carlos, and Bob, who escorts me to and from my room and delivers my food. There has to be a lab technician and a cleaning person somewhere in the mix because, each morning, the lab results are waiting for me, and Carlos’s room is clean and sterile.

My head is spinning knowing there are secret panels leading to rooms and hallways that may help me escape.

“Where did you come from?”

“When?”

“When the heart monitor sounded, you came from behind the wall.”

“I’ve set up a residence back there to be close to him if he needs me.”

“I thought that was my job.”

“You’re doing exactly what I brought you here for. Unless he needs something I can’t provide, your nights are for you to rest.”

I half-laugh, knowing the last few nights I’ve laid awake thinking of my friends and family and trying to telepathically send messages to Mathis that I’m okay. Since all my electronics were stripped and my room is bare of a television or radio, I have a lot of quiet time on my hands. Even the books and magazines provided have lost interests.

“I could move you closer if you’d like to share my bed.”

My reflexes gag at the suggestion, and I bite my tongue to keep from replying. I’ve been able to keep my cool for this long, showing him the respect he demanded. Don’t want to lose my temper now, especially not with Carlos five feet in front of us.

“How are you feeling, Rocket?” I try my best to sound cheery.

“Great, Claire, I think I can feel my circulation pumping better already.” He looks over his shoulder, teasing me with a goofy boyish grin.