Total pages in book: 173
Estimated words: 174632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
“He’s not going into a home,” she said fiercely.
“I wasn’t suggesting that, sweetheart. I mean, uh, Maggie. Do you have help back home? Are other family members aware of what’s going on?”
“We’re fine. I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me.”
His frown deepened and he opened his mouth, but she took the opportunity to stand. “If that’s everything, can I see him, please?”
“Sweetheart, this is too much for you to take on alone.”
“I didn’t say I was alone. I have a family.” But she wasn’t telling any of them. Uncle Willy wouldn’t want that. “I want to see my uncle.”
“All right.” He moved to the door and opened it.
Ian filled the doorway. “What’s going on? Maggie? Why do you look worse? Shit. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” she said to him. She couldn’t deny the surge of relief at seeing him.
He’s not your safe place.
None of them are. You can’t rely on them. It will make it that much harder when it’s just you again.
“I don’t believe you. What did you tell her?” Ian barked at Jameson.
Jameson sighed. “Ian, I can’t tell you anything about her uncle and you know that. Maggie wants to see him. Are you coming with us?”
Ian just grunted. But when she followed Jameson out, he brushed his hand over hers.
Letting her know he was here.
And it brought tears to her eyes.
Just keep it together.
They walked down a corridor where she saw Jack up ahead, watching them. His dark gaze narrowed as she grew closer.
“Maggie?”
“I’m fine. Really.” She managed a smile for him. “It’s just been a long night.”
Jack reached out and tucked some hair behind her ear.
“After you see your uncle, you’re going home to bed,” Ian dictated.
Yeah, they’d see about that.
Jack opened the door, but as she went to move past him, he placed his arm out to stop her. Then he leaned in.
“Whatever you need, I’ll get it for you. Just ask.”
She glanced up at him and he winked at her. Some of the tension in her body eased.
“Thanks, Jack.”
Moving into the room, she sucked in a breath at the sight of Uncle Willy. He looked so small and pale.
Older.
She let out a small grunt of pain.
“It’s all right. Remember, he’s woken up and we’re monitoring him. His stats are stable.” Jameson’s voice was soothing and she soaked it up.
Okay. So maybe she’d lean on them all for a while. Later, she could establish some barriers between them to protect heart.
“Sit down,” Ian commanded, guiding her to a chair beside the bed.
She dropped down as he pressed on her shoulders. Then she took Uncle Willy’s hand in hers.
“We’re staying for twenty minutes,” Ian said. “Then you’re going home to sleep.”
Sure. Uh-huh. Whatever.
21
Ian was losing his mind with worry.
They’d been at the hospital for close to fourteen hours now. Several times, he’d tried to get Maggie to leave. He’d tried bribery, cajoling, threats.
But she’d ignored all of them, telling him that she wouldn’t be leaving her uncle.
It felt like she was fading away before his eyes. She was so pale that it was scary. The dark marks under her eyes were becoming more pronounced and she sometimes swayed in place. As though she didn’t have the energy to hold herself up.
Jack peered into the room. “Ian.”
Ian walked over to him.
“You need to go get some sleep, mate.”
Ian shook his head. “No way. Not until she does. She needs to go home to bed. She won’t eat anything and she’s barely drunk any water.” It was unacceptable.
“Ian, you need to get it together before you get us kicked out. Beck is going to be here soon to keep watch.”
“I’m not leaving her.”
“I know that. But we’re not in any shape to guard either of them like this. Look, let’s try to get her to rest here.”
“This place isn’t restful.”
“I know. Wait, here’s Beck.”
Jack shut the door, and Ian went back to pacing and watching Maggie. His protective instincts were roaring at him to keep her safe. And his Daddy side wanted to bundle her up in blankets and tuck her into bed.
With him.
Bollocks.
She was in his head, and he wasn’t sure there was any way he’d free himself of her.
Or if he wanted to.
Do you want her? The Little Misfit? She’s a brat. She wouldn’t fit with the three of you.
Although Jack liked her a lot.
And so do you . . . she might not be your type. But when did that ever work for you?
But Jameson would never go for her . . . would he? Though Ian had seen the way he watched her.
With hunger.
He pushed all his thoughts aside. Right now, what he needed was to concentrate on Maggie. And what was best for her. Taking care of her.
The door opened and he jumped, tensing. He realized Jack was right. He felt hyper-focused on her and they were in no condition to guard William.