I had zero sympathy for the scumbag, but before I could say anything else, the door opened.

The doctor walked in, frowning at Julian. “Really? He just woke up. Your questions can’t wait?”

“I’m here as a friend,” Julian lied smoothly.

The doctor examined me and asked a lot of questions. Finally, he was done, tucking the tablet under his arm. “You’re a lucky man, Mr. Gallo. A fraction of an inch over, you would have bled out before you got here. As it was, it nicked an artery—you’re lucky to be alive. You lost a lot of blood and you’re going to be sore, but you’ll heal.”

“When can I get out of here?”

“When I say so. You just woke up. We need to make sure everything is okay, set you up with physio, and then you’ll be discharged.”

“Today,” I insisted.

“Not happening. Perhaps in the next forty-eight hours.” The doctor turned and walked out the door.

“Do something about that,” I grumbled. “Get me out.”

“No way. Missy would kill me with one of her fancy knife moves.”

“Coward.”

“Yep.” He grinned.

For a moment, there was silence before he spoke.

“How did you know he’d show up? To insist on vests?”

I sighed. “I didn’t, but I had a feeling he might. As Missy pointed out, he was obsessed. And she’d slipped through his fingers once—he wasn’t taking the chance again. By taking her himself, he was certain he’d have her. When you said Friday, I wondered why so long, then I decided to be prepared. He thought he’d catch us unawares, and in some ways, he did. I never thought of protecting the men outside the building. I had no idea he’d use a pregnant woman to get to us. I should have, I suppose.”

“You can’t think of everything, Marcus.”

I drank some water to relieve my dry throat. “Have the men told you what happened?” I asked.

“Basically what you saw and already figured out, I think. Zander lured Leo out with his wife, then threatened to kill her unless he took them into the building. Once they were inside and Leo was no longer needed, they beat him, tossed him out of the elevator to startle everyone, and opened fire. Your men shot back and killed Zander’s guy before they were all injured. He waited.” He brushed a hand over his head. “It’s lucky you weren’t there.”

“I took Missy for ice cream to get her mind off things.”

“Good thing.”

“I suppose in the end, yes.”

For a moment, I closed my eyes, exhaustion bearing down on me. The next thing I knew, Missy was beside me, stroking my head.

“Where’s Julian?”

“He left over an hour ago. He’ll be back.”

“I won’t be here.”

She crossed her arms. “Yes, you will be. Your ass isn’t leaving this hospital until the doctor signs off and I’m okay with it.”

“I don’t recall you ranking over me, Missy.”

She leaned down. “I outrank you in every way right now, buddy. I’m on my feet, no bandages, no IV, and I can pee on my own. Once you get three of the four, you can go home. Not a second sooner. Hear me?”

Her bossiness made me smile, but I hid it. It was adorable, sweet, comforting, and a bit of a turn-on if I was being honest. I lifted my hand and stroked her cheek.

“Will you stay with me?”

She wrapped both hands around mine and squeezed. “Yes.”

I sighed. “Okay, then. You win.”

She sniffed. “That’s the way it’s gonna be from now on. Get used to it.”

Once again, I hid my smile.

I was good with that.

Chapter Fifteen

Marcus

Sunlight played on the sand, picking out spots to shine on like diamonds on the fine granules. I lifted my face to the warmth of the sun, enjoying the heat. Peace surrounded me, the only sounds the gentle waves kissing the shore and the muted laughter of children playing in the distance. Entwined with it was Missy’s amusement, and the happy sounds made my lips turn up into a smile. I could never resist her laughter.

“There you are,” Matteo said, sitting down beside me on the beach. “I wondered if you’d disappeared over here again.”

“Over here” was a small stretch of beach around a bend on the island Matteo, Evie, and their family lived on. Three other couples lived there too, all of whom I knew and had worked with when I was with Matteo’s team. Geo and Lila, Vince and Gianna, and Alex and Roza had all joined Matteo here to live out their lives in harmony and warmth. Thousands of miles from the blood and violence their world had contained. They rebuilt their worlds one happy memory at a time.

“It’s a great spot.”

He nodded, not saying anything for a moment. When he spoke, his voice was serious. “It’s yours, Marcus. For you and Missy if you want it. We’ll build a house. You can move here and let the sun and tranquility heal you.” He paused. “If you’re ready.”

Tags: Melanie Moreland Men of Hidden Justice Romance
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