“I’m never letting you out of my sight again,” Vaughn informs me.
I laugh but he doesn't. I wonder how long it’s going to take to get him to get back to his normal self. It’s weird having to be the teasing one of the two of us, but I guess that’s how it works being in a relationship. I’ll try to be the lighthearted one for now but my jokes will never be as good as his.
“Give me a kiss,” I demand.
“Not happening.” He shakes his head but makes no move to step back from me. “We both know what happens when we start kissing.”
“We start humping.” I wiggle around in the hospital bed, liking that idea. I’m sitting up with my legs over the side and Vaughn in between them. “I can’t feel much but I think I could feel you.” I try to wink at him but I think I do it with both eyes. Finally, I get a laugh from him and I sigh as more of the meds flow through my system.
“Are you the jealous type?” I place my hands on Vaughn’s chest, wanting to touch him.
“As of two weeks ago it would seem so.”
My eyes widen. “What happened two weeks ago?” He gives me another one of those chuckles that warms all my insides.
“I met a dark-haired woman that I’m not too fond of sharing.”
“Oh, me!” I perk up.
“Think those meds are kicking in.”
“Yeah.” I nod in agreement.
“Why do you ask if I’m jealous? Is it because I fucked that professor of yours up?”
Good. He had it coming. I bet Vaughn got him fired too. He’s probably in jail with that other bozo.
“I think I kicked him.” I try and kick my foot out to show Vaughn but almost fall over in the bed.
Vaughn stops me from tipping over. “Jesus, you're cute. I’m glad someone is having a good time around here.”
I don’t know that I would call it a good time but I’m happy to be back with him.
“I’m ready to go home.” Good time or not, I want to be back on the island and in Vaughn’s bed for a week where I never have to move or think about anything. I want the rest of the world to melt away.
“Me too, sweet thing. I’ve got the plane on standby. One more doctor and a few more cops.”
I scrunch my face in displeasure. “Oh yeah! The jealousy thing.” I look around. “I have to tell you something,” I whisper, and Vaughn’s body tenses under my hands. “I might have touched Amos—” I point down to Vaughn’s cock.
“You said that—”
“With my knee!” I add quickly.
One of the first things they asked when I got to the hospital was if I was sexually assaulted. I don’t think Amos had any plans for that and he seemed to be more bothered by me than anything. He wanted his payday and for me to not cause problems. Too bad for him I have a nasty habit of being a little bit of a handful.
“You nailed him in the balls?” Vaughn’s lips twitch.
“Yeah, so you should watch yourself. I’ve got skills.” Except running skills. I clearly don't have those.
“I’m not worried. You play nice with my balls.”
I burst out into a fit of giggles just as the doctor knocks and enters, and I don’t miss the guards standing outside. I thought everything was okay, so why are they all still here?
“You seem to be doing fine,” the doctor says as she comes over to stand next to the bed. Vaughn takes a small step back and gives her space.
“I feel fine.” I shrug. I mean, I see the bruises starting to form and the scrapes on my knees, but I feel nothing.
“Well I’m going to give you some meds to try and keep you that way. We’ll be releasing you even though normally I’d keep you overnight for observation. But all your tests came back fine and I spoke to Dr. Lula Eckhart, who will be there when you land. I know you’ll be in good hands with her.”
“Thank you,” I sing-song at her. I don’t think I need a doctor but whatever gets me out of here.
She gives me a smile before turning to Vaughn and telling him a few more things. I should probably pay attention but instead I lean back and see there are still so many security guards outside my door.
“Are people still after us?” I ask, my voice coming out louder than I mean to.
“I’ll leave you to it,” the doctor says before turning to leave.
“Let me help you get dressed.” Vaughn holds out his hand to help me down from the bed. He does his best but his hands are lingering longer than they should in some places. I don’t mind because all of his touches make me feel more relaxed and safe.
“Are we going to get the plane alone?” I wiggle my eyebrows at him.
“You’re insatiable today.”
“I’m living life to the fullest.” I throw my hands into the air and wiggle them.
“I have a feeling your fullest is going to be a long nap.”
“I’m not sleepy,” I say on a yawn. “You jinxed me.”
“Sit,” he tells me, pointing to a wheelchair parked next to us.
I do as I’m told and I’m actually starting to feel sleepy, but I’m not going to let on.
“Does my sister know?” I ask.
I don’t want her worrying because she’s pregnant. This is the last thing she needs right now. She’s been through enough and we can fill her in once I’m back on the island.
“She just knows we’re on our way home.”
“Thank you.”
“I know how to take care of you.”
I smile as he pushes me out of the hospital room. “Are you going to tell me why we still have all these guards?” I ask when I see there’s even more than I thought.
“Guzik and Amos might be in the custody of the feds, but who knows how that will play out? I’m not taking any chances.”
“You would’ve given up everything,” I say as he pushes me out of the hospital. He was ready to sign over it all to save me.
“Berkley, you’re my everything and I can promise you I’m never giving you up.”
Chapter Fifteen
Vaughn
As I lie back on the bed I hold Berkley while she sleeps. The plane hums through the air and I know I should be resting too but I can’t stop my mind from racing. I just keep reassuring myself that she’s okay and everything is going to be fine.
I brush her hair away from her face and I see the faint bruising around her throat. My jaw tightens when I think about that asshole putting his hands on her and the feeling of helplessness is back. What can I do to fix this?
The men were taken to jail and we should be totally safe now, but I have this fear that I need to get to the island as soon as possible so that I know she’s fully protected.
She mumbles a little as she cuddles against me and I rub circles on her back. She looks so beautiful in my arms and there’s no place I’d rather be than with her. My chest squeezes as her arms curl around my waist and she sighs in contentment.
“I love you,” I say softly because I can’t help but speak the words out loud. I never knew I could feel like this. Like my heart could be on the outside of me and I could hold it.