Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 61767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“You can always change your mind.” Judge stops at the door with Theron’s name beside it, his hand squeezing mine. “I’ll take you home right now if you want.”
“No.” I force a smile and shake my head. “I want to do this.”
He nods, but the concern doesn’t leave his eyes. And then, just like we’re ripping off a Band-Aid, he opens the door, and we step inside.
I don’t know what I’m expecting exactly, considering the severity of Theron’s injuries and the fact that he barely scraped through. In my head, I imagined him lying prone in his bed, barely able to fend for himself. Yet the scene before us is anything but a helpless man.
He is in his bed, of course, but he’s propped up by a stack of pillows behind him. The low murmur of the television plays in the background, but he’s not focused on that. No, his attention is on the two pretty nurses at his side, one fussing over his food while the other shaves his face. Both of them wearing smiles entirely too large.
Judge arches a brow at the scene just as Theron returns it with a devilish grin. That grin falters briefly as he turns his attention to me, and something shifts in the room. I feel it in the shiver that moves over my spine, the memory of that awful night not too distant.
In some ways, it feels like a lifetime ago. But in others, the wound feels fresh because it hasn’t been dealt with. Not really. When I came to face him, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. But this charming version of Theron is the one that I first met. The man with the handsome features and easy smile. A quick wit, which he’s obviously been using to entertain the nurses. All of these details were so non-threatening that I quickly warmed to him. But I know, even now with his eyes clear and the solemn expression that falls over him, he still has demons to battle.
“Thank you, ladies,” Theron says dismissively. “Let’s resume this another time.”
The nurses glance at us, trying and failing to adopt a professional demeanor before they quickly shuffle out of the room at his command. I have an urge to roll my eyes, but I don’t. Because Theron’s are still locked on me, and I know he has something to say before he even begins.
“Mercedes.” He nods at me. “I’m flattered you’d come to see me. Unless… perhaps, you were hoping I was really dead?”
Though his voice has a teasing lilt, there is a hint of vulnerability beneath it. Like maybe that’s what he expects from everyone in his life. That we’d all wish that for him.
“Actually, no. That’s not why I’m here.”
Judge tucks me against his side protectively, his hand wrapping around my lower back to settle on the curve of my hip. An awkward silence falls over the room, and then Theron sits up straighter, wincing as he does.
“I owe you an apology,” he confesses. “And if you’ll hear me out, I’d like to give that to you now.”
“It’s not necessary.” I lean into Judge, grateful for the strength of his body right now. “I don’t want your apology.”
Disappointment flashes through Theron’s eyes as they drift to my very pregnant belly, and I can only wonder if he’s thinking about what he’ll miss out on. That he’ll always be distant from his family.
“Mercedes—” he tries again, but I shake my head and cut him off.
“I don’t want your apology because we’re even,” I tell him. “You saved our lives. You saved Judge’s life. And for that…” I stumble over the words, almost too choked up to speak. “I’m grateful.”
He shifts, clearly uncomfortable by the display of emotion, and at that moment, I see so many similarities between him and Judge. And I can’t help feeling a pang of warmth toward him. Naturally, Theron being a Montgomery, he has to ruin that.
“I suppose I am due some credit,” he says thoughtfully. “You can repay me by naming one of your spawns after me.”
Judge snorts, and I shake my head. And just like that, some of the tension dissolves.
“Not in this lifetime, brother.” Judge takes a seat in one of the visitor’s chairs, pulling me down onto his lap.
“Fine.” Theron grins wickedly, turning his gaze to me. “Then I have a counter suggestion. I’m in need of a good nurse. Perhaps you know someone?”
“It seems to me you have two very doting nurses on hand already,” I answer wryly.
He shrugs dismissively. “They’ll do in a pinch, but I’d prefer someone with a little more bark. Perhaps even some bite.”
I don’t have to guess where this is going, and he confirms it with his next words.
“A fiery shop owner. What’s her name again?”
“As if you don’t know,” Judge mutters. “You couldn’t handle her. Trust me.”