Chapter 10 Grumpy Fucker #2
Nurse Callie chuckled at our antics. I’d completely forgotten she was still there.
Slipping past me, she dropped the metal safety railings on the side of the gurney, which had been blocking me from touching my girl, then excused herself to check on her other patients.
I slid closer, interlocking my fingers with Sloane’s.
Shayne didn’t bother to wait for an invitation, she picked up a metal folding chair, moving it across from mine.
“Seriously though. How is she?”
Taking a sip of my coffee, I answered, “The doctor thinks she’s dehydrated.”
That reminded me. Pulling my phone from my back pocket, I shot off a text to Waverly with the latest update. She responded quickly, letting me know the kids were still asleep.
“I know this isn’t the time, but Maeve’s lawyer is requesting she be evaluated to determine if she’s fit to stand trial.”
It had come as a shock when the judge denied her bail after the kidnapping. He’d felt she was a flight risk, considering her relationship with Shawn O’ Lachlan, Sloane’s father. His illness had been the catalyst for her criminal behavior after all.
“What a tool. Insanity is the only way he’ll be able to save her.”
“Either way, she’ll miss watching her grandbabies grow up.”
“Her loss.”
A short while later, the doctor popped his head in, letting us know her official diagnosis was acute kidney injury related to dehydration.
He said he’d ordered another liter of fluid to be given, then they’d recheck her kidney function levels again to see if they’d improved.
Shayne stuck around until it was time for her to leave for work, making me promise to text once we were home.
Sloane began to stir a bit, once the first round of fluids was completed, though she hadn’t fully woken up.
The lack of sleep hit me hard. Keeping a grip on her hand, I bent in half, laying my head on the mattress right near her hip.
Falling asleep was the last thing I wanted to do. Waking to feel Sloane combing her fingers through my hair was worth giving myself a break for the slight faux pas.
“Sunshine.” I lifted my head slowly. “You’re finally awake.”
Her eyes were tinged red and her hair was sticking out in every direction, but she’d never looked more gorgeous. From the beads of sweat dotting her forehead, I assumed her fever had broken. Thank fuck.
“Where am I?”
Unable to stay away, I moved, perching my ass on the edge of the mattress.
“At the hospital.”
“Why? What happened?”
“You scared the fuck outta me, that’s what happened.”
“Duncan,” she sighed.
I kissed the underside of her chin. “You were dehydrated. Your fever was so high I could barely get you to wake up.”
“I’m sorry.”
“What on earth are you apologizing for?”
“Worrying you. I don’t normally get––” She gasped mid-sentence, jack-knifing up in the bed. “The kids? Where are they?”
“Whoa. Take it easy.” My hands cradled her cheeks, happy to feel how much cooler they were to the touch. “Waverly and Finn are at the house. They came over so I could bring you here. Now, lie back down and rest a while longer.”
“Fine, since the sudden movement kinda made me dizzy anyway.”
“And I’m only going to let the sassiness slide because you’re sick. But when you’re feeling better, my hand would love to become reacquainted with your ass.”
“You say the sweetest things.”
Tossing my head back, I roared with laughter. “God, I love you, Sloane.”
“Love you too, Duncan, but I’d love you even more if you could bust me outta here. I want to go home.”
“Sleep a while longer. I’ll see what I can do.”
“Wait, so you mean Ralph alerted you?”
When she woke up again at the hospital, the doctor said all her kidney levels had returned to normal, so he deemed her ready for release.
Finn and Waverly hung out for a while after we got home, then graciously offered to take the twins to the park, allowing us time to get settled.
Sloane was currently lying on the couch in the living room, the puppy sleeping between her legs, with a mountain of pillows fluffed behind her.
My only job was to cater to her every whim which, at the moment, consisted of telling her precisely how I knew she was sick.
“I wouldn’t say he alerted, per se.”
“Then what would you call it?”
“He whimpered.”
“He alerted.” She smirked, fully aware I was downplaying his part in her perceived rescue.
“Whimpered.”
“A-ler-ted.” She sounded out each syllable.
“We’ll just have to agree to disagree on this one.”
“Why is it so hard for you to admit you like him?”
It was a damn good question, but I didn’t know the answer. The only crime Ralph was guilty of was shitting his brains out all over my gym floor. Even then, it was more or less our fault for overindulging him at feeding time. So, what the hell was wrong with me?
“Oh crap, I know why you’re acting like this.”
“Enlighten me, Sunshine.” I pulled her feet into my lap, rubbing the soles.
“You’re jealous.”
“Of a dog? Why would I be jealous of a creature who enjoys chasing his own tail?”
“You thought getting a puppy was a great idea until we brought him home and he got all my attention.”
Fuck’s sake. I totally was, but there wasn’t a chance in hell I’d admit it.
The furry bastard had wormed his way into her heart and stolen her affection.
He might’ve earned himself a juicy steak for alerting me––because let’s face it, he absolutely did––but he for sure wasn’t sleeping on the bed again after tonight.
Time for a subject change.
Her father’s upcoming business disaster could wait until she felt better.
So could her mother’s change in plea. The information I discovered at the kids’ party was more time sensitive.
I’d been holding on to it, trying to figure out the best course of action.
I needed to bring in the team. Originally, I planned to meet them at the office this morning.
Circumstances being what they were, the location had to change.
“I need to meet with my team later. Are you good if they come here?”
“You can go to the office if you want to, Duncan. I’m doing a lot better.”
“Not leaving you, Sunshine.”
“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes.
“Besides, what we have to discuss involves you too.”
“Me? How?”
“I remembered something about the accident. Something huge.”
“That’s great. What was it?”
“I know who shot me.”
Her hands fisted at her side. “Who?”
“Rest for now. When everyone gets here, I’ll tell you all together.”
Miraculously, she listened…partly. Her eyes were closed, but her fingers lazily rubbed back and forth over Ralph’s head. Picking up my cell from the table next to the sofa, I shot off a text in our group thread.
Me: Meeting. My house. 2 p.m. sharp.
Of course, word of Sloane’s trip to the hospital had already made it through the grapevine.
Lanie: How’s Sloane? Does she need anything?
Me: Better since they got the fever down.
Noah: Do you have any sports drinks? It’ll help with the dehydration plus replenish some of her electrolytes.
Koen: When did you get your medical license, Dr. Anderson?
Noah: {middle finger emoji}
Keaton: I’ll have lunch sent over from Birds of a Feather.
Birds of a Feather was a bar the team frequented in downtown Huntington. Keaton and Henley purchased it as a final fuck you to the previous owner.
Lanie: Perfect. I’ve had a hankering for their southwest burger.
Koen: You like spicy meat, huh, Lanes?
Lanie: {middle finger emoji}
Noah: {middle finger emoji}
Koen: What’s with all the middle fingers today? You people have no sense of humor.
Duncan Palmer left the conversation.
Keaton Clark added Duncan Palmer to the conversation.
Keaton: Nice try, boss, but if I have to be on this thread, so do you.
Me: Fucker. I’ll remember this when it comes time for your annual review.
Me: Does anyone have anything pertinent to add?
Waverly: Do you need me there or can you fill me in later?
Me: Later is fine. Can you and Finn keep the twins a little longer?
Waverly: No worries. I’ll bring them home in time for dinner.
Me: Anyone else?
Nelson: Sammy made Sloane a batch of homemade chicken noodle soup. I’ll bring it with me.
Me: Thank her for me, Nelson. By the way, those patches you were experimenting with. Did you ever figure it out?
Nelson: I did.
Me: Bring some.
Sloane
I’d slept for hours, so why did I feel like I could doze off for thirty-seven more?
Man, oh, man, being sick was for the birds, not that I had a ton of experience with it.
For goodness’ sake the only time I’d been in the hospital was to give birth to Rogan and Reagan.
It wasn’t something I wanted to repeat anytime soon.
The kidney injury diagnosis hit a little too close to home, considering what my father was going through.
Poor Duncan was freaked out by the whole experience.
Every fifteen minutes, like clockwork, he brought me another bottle of water.
When I had four unopened ones sitting on the coffee table, I threatened to withhold sex for a month if he so much as thought about bringing a fifth.
He meant well, truly he did, but I swore if he didn’t knock it off soon, I was going to call in reinforcements in the form of Henley and Jade. They’d straighten his butt out.
Duncan was down in his gym working off some excess energy when my phone pinged with a text.
Thankfully, he’d pulled the coffee table close to the sofa and left anything I could possibly need within arm’s reach.
Unlocking the screen, I clicked on the message and snorted.
It was a picture of Ro and Reagan, their smiles filled the screen as if someone had zoomed in on their faces.
Waverly: As you can see, the munchkins got a hold of my phone earlier. There are about two dozen more, but I didn’t think you wanted a close up of the inside of Rogan’s nose. This was the only one where they were both in the frame together.
Me: It’s perfect. Thank you. Their obsession with taking pictures got worse when Duncan bought them cameras. Please tell me they’re being good for you guys.
Waverly: They’re perfect angels.
Me: Now I know you’re lying.
Waverly: How are you feeling?
Me: Worn down, even though all I’ve done is sleep.
Waverly: Drink plenty of fluids. If you change your mind about us keeping the kids tonight, just let me know. It’s really no trouble.
Me: Have I told you lately how happy I am that you’re marrying my brother?
Waverly: He’s kinda grown on me. Now, enough texting. Go get some more rest.
Me: You sound like Duncan.
Waverly: Good. Let him take care of you. He needs it and you deserve it.
Me: Will do.
Waverly: See you in a bit. XO
Me: XO
Fate was on Finn and Waverly’s side from the beginning.
How else did you explain a chance meeting while on vacation between a billionaire with a stalker and an FBI agent?
It was the right place at the right time with the right person.
My brother gave infatuation a whole new meaning when he moved his company from New York to Huntington for a woman he’d only known for seven days.
Turned out to be the best decision he’d ever made… for both of us.
The door to the basement opened, interrupting my thoughts.
Duncan stepped out wearing a black tank top with matching basketball shorts.
His muscles contracted with even the slightest movement, reminding me of the way they rippled when he held himself above me.
Heaven help me, I could feel the blush creeping up my neck. Duncan noticed it too.
“Are you okay?” He rushed to my side, placing his lips on my forehead for a few seconds. “You don’t feel warm.”
“I’m good,” I blurted.
His eyes searched mine. When his look of concern turned into a knowing smirk, I knew he’d solved the mystery behind my reddened flesh. Thankfully, he was too much of a gentleman to call me out.
“I’m going to grab a quick shower.” He kissed my cheek. “Can I get you anything before I head upstairs?”
“Actually, can I join you? I’d love to shower and change. I’m sticky after shedding three pounds of sweat when my fever broke.”
“I’ll agree on two conditions.”
I cocked my head to the side. “Let’s hear them.”
“One, you let me know right away if you start feeling off.”
“Easy enough. And the second?”
He moved around the sofa, hoisting me into his arms.
“We conserve water.”
“If it becomes too much, just say the word. I’ll kick them out,” Duncan muttered, handing me a bowl filled with delicious smelling soup.
“You worry too much.”
“Can’t help it, Sunshine.”
It was quarter after four. Keaton, Noah, Koen, and Nelson were milling around the kitchen, piling their plates with everything from sliders to quesadillas to baked potato skins topped with mounds of bacon and cheese.
Lanie was with me in the living room, munching on the biggest burger I’d ever seen.
The food looked incredible. Unfortunately, my appetite was abysmal.
It’d be a miracle if I was able to finish the small bowl Duncan had given me.
“It’s weird watching you be all lovey-dovey, Duncan.”
“There’s an easy solution to your problem, Agent Biggs,” he replied.
“Oh yeah? What’s that?”
“Don’t watch.”
“Be nice.” I flicked his arm.
“Nice isn’t part of my job description, Sunshine.”
“Maybe it should be.”
Once everyone had their fill of food, Duncan moved to the middle of the room, his expression gave nothing away, except to me.
The lines surrounding his down-turned mouth and the ridges which appeared in the space between his eyes were telling.
His mind was struggling to come to grips with the information he’d learned.
Whoever tried to kill us wasn’t a stranger.
It was someone he knew, someone he trusted.
Betrayal was written all over his face, even if I was the only one who saw through his shield.
“I spoke with Gabriel del Toro yesterday.” He began pacing the floor.
“Quattro Security has been looking into Erik Murray and his organization for me. They haven’t found much, however, they were able to fit a piece of the puzzle together.
They located communication between Erik’s right-hand man, Roarke, and an unknown player inside the task force I was working for. ”
“They had a fucking mole,” Keaton spat, slamming his fist against the arm of the chair.
“Hold on a second.” Koen raised his hand. “Did Murray know you were a fed or not?”
“To be determined still,” he responded.
“So he could’ve been the one who blew up your car,” Noah continued.
“Possibly.”
“You said you knew who shot you?” I asked without thinking. “Was it this Murray guy? Or someone else?.
Duncan knelt in front of me, taking the bowl from my hands, then laced our fingers together.
“It was the same man who told me you died in the accident, Sunshine.” He paused, gripped my hands tighter, then blew out a breath. “Niall. My handler.”