When Rivals Love (Bayshore Rivals 3)

I’m trying to hold on to the fact that he has never lied to me… at least, not that I know of. Assuming he is telling me the truth, he won’t let anything happen to the baby and me, and right now, that is the most important thing. As much as I love the Bishop brothers, I already love the life growing inside of me just as fiercely, maybe even more.

After breakfast, one of the nurses comes in to take my tray. Smiling at me sweetly, she asks, “Is there anything else you need this morning?”

“Actually, I could use a little help going to the bathroom. The IV makes it hard to get around,” I say, glancing over at Matt, who frowns at me. I’m sure he knows what I’m up to, but to my relief, he doesn’t say anything when the nurse helps me out of bed and into the bathroom. As soon as she closes the door behind us, I turn around and look at her.

“Please, I need your help,” I whisper. “I’m here against my will. I need to make a phone call. Can I please use your cell phone?”

I see the brief shock in her eyes before she lowers her gaze to the ground. “I’m sorry. I can’t help you.” Her apology sounds genuine, and I know my father must have threatened the staff here. “I am sorry. Really.”

“It’s okay, I know you are,” I say in defeat.

“Do you need help to use the bathroom?”

“No, not really…” As soon as I say the words, she scurries out of the room, whispering another sorry on her way out.

I use the toilet on my own before brushing my teeth and washing my face. Every move I make is on autopilot, my mind too busy being worried and scared about what’s to come.

When I get back into the room, Matt is still sitting in the chair, only now he’s reclined it and his feet are propped up.

“I’m guessing she didn’t go for it?”

“My father must have really freaked her out. She couldn’t get away fast enough after I asked to use her phone.”

“You don’t give up easily, I’ll give you that. You think after three times, you would stop trying,” Matt says, tucking a blanket over himself. “I’m taking a nap; I hardly got any sleep last night with you snoring so loudly.”

“I do not snore!”

“Whatever you have to tell yourself, princess,” Matt chuckles, closing his eyes.

I crawl back into my bed, careful not to tug on the needle still sticking inside my arm. Turning on the TV, I flip through the channels, landing on some cooking show. I don’t really care about it, but I need something to take my mind off the reality I am in.

After twenty minutes, Matt starts to snore softly, letting me know he is asleep. I keep glancing at the door, wondering if my father’s guards are still there or if they left. After five minutes of inner dialogue, I talk myself into trying to leave.

Carefully, I remove the tape around the IV in my arm before pulling out the needle slowly. Blood starts to puddle on my skin, and I quickly take my bed sheet and press it onto the spot until it stops bleeding.

Trying to not make any noise, I slowly slide out of my bed and tiptoe toward the door on sock covered feet. I’m in my own clothes, which my mother brought me last night, but I don’t have any shoes. I don’t have to get far, anyway, only far enough to find someone who isn’t on my father’s payroll or has been threatened by him.

I’m almost at the door, my hand already reaching for the doorknob when I freeze. Holding my breath, I listen to a man’s voice right outside my door. A voice I know all too well.

My father. Shit.

His voice is coming closer, and I hurry back into bed with my heart pounding in my chest. I barely manage to hop back in and pull the blanket over my arm, before the door opens and my father walks in without knocking.

“Harlow,” he greets me mechanically, and I sit up straight in bed. Matt startles awake at my father’s entrance, seeming just as surprised as I am to see him here.

“What do you want from me now?”

“I actually came to talk to Matt,” he scowls at me. “However, I would appreciate it if you could stop harassing your nurses to use their phones.”

God, I want to throw something at him. Preferable something heavy.

“Matt, a word outside.”

“Sure,” Matt answers, getting up from his chair, he gives me a look that says behave on his way out.

You behave yourself. I yell after him in my head. The door closes, leaving me all alone in the room. I throw the blanket back, jump up and tiptoe back to the door, pressing my ear to the wood so I can hear better.