Chapter 10 #3
“Of course, but seeing them doesn’t allow the team to work with the animals. If we’re all on the same page, we can utilize their strengths to our advantage,” he explained as he parked in the ER lot and helped her from his vehicle.
The staff raced to care for Ragu and the police handcuffed the drug addict, Benny, to the bed. The man continued to shout, asking for his drugs.
Liam put his arm around her back, giving her some comfort when Kassie approached. “How are you, Addyson?”
“I’m fine, really,” she insisted. “It needs a little cleanup and a bandage.”
“Let me be the judge,” Kassie said, taking her into a room instead of the cubicle beside her intruder.
Addyson sat on the bed while Kassie cleaned the wound and inspected it.
“You’ll need a few stitches.”
Addy only nodded. Kassie sent a worried glance Liam’s way.
“When do you think Jake will let me see Zeus?” she asked as Kassie stitched her arm.
“Jake will allow you to stop over anytime. He’s great with animals. Do you know where he lives?” Kassie asked as she gently wrapped gauze around Addy’s arm.
“No. I’m afraid I don’t,” she admitted tiredly.
“You poor thing,” Kassie said. “I’ll text you the address.”
“Thank you,” Addy said, sliding off the bed.
Kassie walked over to where Liam stood. “Take her home. I’ll have one of the nurses stay with her. Doc’s in surgery with Ragu and the team went to the surgical waiting room.”
Liam struggled with his responsibilities to the team and caring for Addy.
“I see. I’ll let Leo know where to find you,” Kassie whispered and winked at him.
“Thanks,” he said, breathing a sigh of relief. “Do you know who the team uses to clean up the crime scenes? He broke almost every dish she owned and slashed all her furniture. The upstairs doesn’t appear as damaged.”
“I’ll send some veterans over in the morning to toss everything. It’s almost midnight and she needs rest. In the meantime, will paper plates and cups work?”
“Sure,” he said, amazed at how Kassie and Addy both thought on their feet. It’s most likely why she enjoyed her job.
“Give me one minute,” Kassie said, before heading down the hall.
Thirty minutes later, Liam led Addy into her house.
“This mess,” she said, staring at her destroyed kitchen and then living room.
“Kassie’s sending someone out to clean it tomorrow. Close your eyes and I’ll lead you upstairs. I don’t want you to think about this all night. You need some sleep,” Liam ordered gently, taking her hand.
Her eyelids fluttered closed after she glanced one more time at the devastation.
Leading her to her bedroom, he said, “You can open them now.”
He checked the bathroom and cleared the room. “Everything’s fine,” Liam assured her. “We’ll worry about the rest in the morning.”
Addy nodded and went into the bathroom. Liam closed the bedroom door, giving her some privacy.
A few minutes later, Addy opened it, finding him sitting on the floor.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Watching over you. I know it must’ve scared you when you thought he shot Zeus,” he said quietly.
“Do you plan to sleep there?” she asked, biting her thumbnail.
“I’ve slept in worse places,” he admitted while watching her.
“Liam…I don’t want to stay in here by myself. I know we’ve seen each other at the hospital and enjoyed each other’s company today.” She paused and glanced back toward the bed. “Do you mind sleeping in here with me?”
Liam glanced toward the bed, thinking of many other things he might want to do than sleep. Tapping down his desire, he turned to gaze into her eyes. “I can sleep beside the bed,” he offered.
“We’re two grown adults. Surely, we can share the space?” she argued. “I don’t want to be alone.”
Walking to the edge of the bed, he turned the covers down and waited for her to lie down. He tucked the covers around her and went to the other side and lay beside her.
She turned to face him. “Thank you for coming tonight.”
“You’re welcome,” he whispered as he turned on his side, facing her. He brushed the hair from her face. “Your fast thinking likely saved you.”
“You saved me with Apollo,” she whispered, yawning. “Someday, I want to thank him in person.”
“Goodnight, Addy,” he murmured, stroking her temple.
“Goodnight, Liam.”
He waited until she fell asleep before rising and turning off the light.
She didn’t appear to notice it, but he wanted her to sleep comfortably.
Returning to his side, Liam struggled to close his eyes.
His body stayed on high alert as he listened to Addy’s breathing.
The woman he dreamed about every night while he lay in the hospital bed now lay beside him.
Her floral scent tickled his nose, making it hard for him to keep from wrapping her in his arms. Addyson Parker stole his heart the first time he saw her.
Recalling her reference to the room down the hall, he wondered if Sam’s widow seemed stuck in her grief for the man.
Liam rubbed his chest as if his heart didn’t like the idea.
After all, when danger knocked, she called Liam instead of the police.
Then again, it didn’t seem like Addy made friends with anyone from Serenity.