Worth the Risk (Worth It 2)

“Doped up,” she joked.

He cracked a smile. “Better than being in constant pain, I’m going to wager.”

“My head feels like it’s packed with cotton and floating in the clouds. I don’t like it.”

“Baby, I’m going to get you out of here. First thing tomorrow, Alex and I will make a few calls and we’ll get you transferred to a better hospital in the city.”

She frowned. “But what about my grandma?”

“I’ll make sure she gets the proper care here.”

“I can’t leave her. She needs me.”

What he needed was to handle this right or he might make her angry. “You need to be taken care of properly. I don’t think this hospital is cutting it.”

“Just because you can afford the finest of things doesn’t mean that a smaller hospital can’t provide adequate care.” She sounded offended. He needed to backtrack and quick.

“I’m not trying to be a conceited ass. I’m trying to take care of you.” He let loose an exasperated sigh, trying to rein in his emotions. Why did they always end up arguing? It was enough to drive him crazy.

She smiled weakly and squeezed his hand. “I know. It’s just—I found her recently and now I feel responsible for her, you know? She’s had a heart attack and she’s still here in the hospital.”

“I talked to her. She appeared pretty healthy to me.”

Gracie’s eyes widened. “When did you talk to her?”

“Earlier today. She—” He paused. Should he tell Gracie how strange her grandmother became? How she essentially told him to get out of their lives and demanded payment? He didn’t want to upset her. “She’s very protective of you,” he finished. And that was an understatement.

“And I’m protective of her as well. I can’t lose this connection with her. I finally feel whole again now that I have my family back.” Gracie closed her eyes. “I’m so tired.”

“You need to rest and not worry about things that are out of your control.” Like her grandmother’s health or mental state.

“Thank you, Hunter,” she murmured. “For coming for me, even after how I stormed out of your place so stupidly.”

“I will always come for you, no matter what,” he vowed, pressing another kiss to her hand. He wished he could really kiss her but he didn’t want to push.

She didn’t answer, seemed to drift off into sleep, and he sat by her side for a few minutes longer. Studying her. Thinking.

There had been no answer when he promised he’d always come for her. Was that telling? Did she not believe him? And she never mentioned the baby either—so neither did he. They didn’t need to worry about it now. Gracie healing was on the forefront of his mind. Getting her away from her grandmother was second, which would be difficult.

He was going to be a busy man tomorrow. And he was more than prepared for the task.

Chapter Seventeen

“You snuck into her room and spoke to her!” A sharp fingernail poked repeatedly at Hunter’s shoulder, and he turned around with a barely suppressed yelp, glaring at the little old woman who stood before him. “You had no right to do that.”

“I have every right.” He glanced about the bustling hallway, thankful no one paid them any mind. “You need to stop interfering in our business.”

“What is Gracie’s business becomes my business, especially because she’s incapable of taking care of herself.” Grace crossed her arms in front of her chest with

an indignant expression. “Butt out.”

Her behavior was so absurd he almost wanted to laugh. He was too damn angry to find any of it truly funny, though. “Shouldn’t you be in bed? In your room?” He needed her out of his hair.

Alex had been on the phone most of the morning, speaking to various hospital administrators. Demanding his future sister-in-law be released from the hospital effective immediately so she could be flown to one of the best hospitals in Manhattan.

Hunter hadn’t even flinched at the words “future sister-in-law”. He hadn’t batted an eyelash when Alex said he’d make a substantial donation to the Cayuga Medical Center and would pay for all extra expenses incurred by Gracie’s transfer. Despite how much money that would surely amount to, despite how presumptuous it was of Alex to label Gracie as Hunter’s future wife.

He was that sure of what would happen between him and Gracie. It came to him late last night while he lay in bed in his hotel room in Ithaca. They were meant to be together, the baby was a sign. He was in love with her, the thought of losing Gracie nearly wrecked him.