Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Law
Being wheeled out to the hospital exit by a grinning Master Mitch wasn’t among the highlights of Law’s life, but on the other hand, he was touched by the number of people in the waiting room who cheered as they exited. It seemed as if half the club had turned out to wait for him.
His friends, Iris’ friends, her brother and his friends, and a bunch of students who had gone through his classes.
The hospital waiting room looked like a leather convention, though some people had found something to wear over their fetwear or had changed before their arrival.
Iris was wearing the light trench coat-type jacket that went down mid-thigh and belted around her waist, which she’d had on when he’d first woken up.
She wasn’t the only one wearing some kind of long, light jacket.
They still stood out because it was way too hot for a jacket outside, but not as much as if they’d been walking around in their underwear.
Everyone cheered when he was wheeled into the waiting room, getting up from their seats, relief on their faces.
Even Iris’ brother, Andrew, looked happy to see him, despite Iris’ hand being firmly in Law’s as she walked next to the wheelchair.
They had a lot to talk about when they got some privacy, but right now, he was holding on tight to the fact she hadn’t deserted him.
He still didn’t remember running out of the club, though from the way she’d sounded when she’d talked about it, he was pretty sure he’d hurt her. It seemed he had a lot to make up for, even though he didn’t remember it and wasn’t sure how to make it up to her.
“So, everything’s okay?” Connor was one of the first to approach, with Q right on his heels.
“He’ll be alright, though he needs to rest that arm,” Mitch said.
Law couldn’t see Mitch since the nurse was behind him, but since his left arm was in a sling, it was pretty clear which one he needed to rest. What was confusing was his clavicle hurt almost as much when he moved his right arm as when his left was jostled. There really wasn’t any winning.
“The fracture should heal pretty much on its own as long as he rests and doesn’t use it too much. He’ll need to follow up with his GP. He’ll also probably need some help around the house to keep from overusing it.”
“Iris has that,” Asad said, coming up beside Law on the other side before anyone else could say anything. “We’ll help, too.”
Law scowled and turned to look up at Asad, though he didn’t let go of Iris’ hand.
“Don’t put that on her. I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Nope, you’ll need help,” Mitch countered cheerfully. “Doctor’s orders. And Dom’s.”
Iris giggled.
“Iris is going to spend tonight with grumpy pants here,” Asad said, making Iris giggle again. Law scowled even harder. He hated feeling like they were talking over his head, and Asad knew it. With friends like these, who needed enemies?
“I can come over tomorrow,” Connor said.
“Any updates on Douchebag Don?” Iris asked. More people were crowding around, though plenty hung back to give them space. Her brother and his fiancée Kate were two of the ones who had come up, and Andrew’s scowl matched Law’s.
“He’s been arrested,” Andrew said immediately.
“Kincaid and Patrick are taking care of it. Patrick has the video feed of the parking lot, and one of the cameras has a view of the exit, so we can see that asshole plowing into Law’s car.
He was trying to claim it was an accident and that he panicked, which is why he drove away.
Patrick said it looks pretty fucking deliberate, and following the confrontation in the club, there’s definitely motive. ”
“Yeah, but that will mean having to go into club business,” Law grumbled. He shook his head, then winced. Iris made a cooing sound as though she was trying to soothe him, her free hand going to his shoulder. “Not something I think any of us want to do.”
“Well, he can’t just get away with it,” Iris said, squeezing his hand, a scowl forming on her face to match his.
“No, he can’t. I have to think about it. Sometime soon when I can think.” Which was not right now. His brain was still fuzzy, and with all the people around, it was far too loud.
Concern lit up Iris’ features.
“Let’s get you home, so you can rest,” she said, looking around anxiously. Asad and Connor agreed, and things moved quickly after that, with Law having to do very little.
In fact, no one would let him do much of anything, which was extremely annoying. He wasn’t a complete invalid, though hissing in pain every time he tried to do something normal, like getting into the car and putting on his seat belt, was no fun.
The seatbelt, in particular, hurt like a bitch until he settled back and stayed absolutely still, even though he was on the passenger side, and it wasn’t going over his cracked clavicle.
Thankfully. He couldn’t imagine how much more painful that would be.
Sighing, Law’s eyes closed, almost of their own accord.
Despite the fact he’d spent about half an hour unconscious, he still felt tired. It appeared he had plenty of helpers heading home with him. They would be watching him closely. Scratch that—Iris would be watching him closely, at least for now.
Law still wasn’t sure how he felt about that. He wanted her close, yet it chafed. Asad had spilled his secret before Law had had to chance to talk about his past with her himself, which was not how he’d wanted her to find out.
The door to the driver’s side opened, and the air moved as Iris slid into the driver’s seat beside him.
“Law, you have to stay awake.”
The concern in her voice was clear, but like a coward, Law wasn’t sure he could face her right now.
“I’m awake. Just resting my eyes.”
“Well, open them, so I know you’re awake. Or start talking… it’s up to you. But if you’re already drowsy, we should probably call Mitch or the doctor since you swore you were wide awake in the hospital.” There was a no-nonsense tone to her voice Law had never heard before. It was kind of hot.
Not that he’d let her get away with bossing him around too much, but there was something enjoyable about seeing this other side of her. He hadn’t known she had a bossy side. It made him want to wait for her to finish bossing him around, then flip her over his knee for a spanking.
Not that he could do that right now. He winced inwardly at the idea. The nurse hadn’t been wrong when she’d said he shouldn’t be wielding a whip for a bit. Something like picking Iris up would be well beyond him right now.
Dammit.
He hated feeling helpless. Another reason he shouldn’t let her go home with him. He was an absolutely shit patient, and he knew it.
Law cleared his throat. “You know, I really will be okay. You don’t have to—”
“I know you’re not about to do something silly like tell me you don’t need someone to stay with you,” Iris interrupted, her tone conversational, but she gripped the steering wheel harder.
“Not after your doctor, the nurse, and Master Mitch, who is also a nurse, all told you otherwise. Unless, of course, you don’t want it to be me looking after you because you’re dumping me, in which case you’d better spell that out clearly. ”
Iris
To Iris’ relief, Law did not immediately dump her, though she wasn’t sure ‘dump’ was the right word. She wasn’t even sure if they were boyfriend and girlfriend. Hell, she’d had to get his address from Master Asad because she hadn’t been to his house.
He didn’t start talking, but when she glanced over at him, his eyes were open, and he was looking out the window alertly, so she had to be satisfied with that.
Maybe she shouldn’t have given him the option.
Start talking about all the things you haven’t told me.
Right, she was sure that would have gone over well with a Dom.
Besides, the silence wasn’t the worst thing in the world, giving her a chance to calm down. She finally felt like her heart was beating at a normal rate rather than being about to burst out of her chest. Everything had been a whirlwind, even after they’d arrived at the hospital.
Thank goodness for Asad, who had taken control of the paperwork, so she could cling to Law’s hand while he was checked over.
Obviously not during his x-rays. And thank goodness the emergency room hadn’t been particularly busy.
She was sure Master Mitch’s presence hadn’t hurt getting Law in to be seen quickly.
Now, it was just past midnight, and the caravan of cars behind her said tonight wasn’t over yet, although they’d lost some of the entourage after leaving the hospital.
She was pretty sure those following were Law’s friends, though her brother and Kate shouldn’t be too far behind them.
They were stopping off at her apartment first to grab some things for her.
The relief she felt at not having to deal with Noelle tonight was only tinged with a little guilt.
Mitch, Domi, Avery, and Rae had all said goodbye to her at the hospital, along with hugs and the demand she contact them if she needed anything.
Domi had said something about bringing food over to Law’s tomorrow, which Iris would happily accept.
She didn’t know how much help Law would need getting around the house, but she was sure, however much it was, he was going to fight it. Not having to make every meal would be helpful. It wouldn’t be her cooking for him but him accepting the generosity of their friends.
Which was exactly how she planned to pose it to him if he tried to fight food donations. People liked to feel like they were helping.
Her included.
The GPS took her straight to his house. It was a very nice house for a guy living on his own.
Then again, he was a lawyer. No garage, but there was a carport.
Iris decided to park there, so he wouldn’t have to walk far.
It wasn’t like his car was going to be arriving any time soon—it had already been towed to a shop.
She wasn’t an expert, but she was pretty sure it was going to qualify as totaled.
“Alright, stay there until I can come around and help you out.”
“I don’t need help.” Growly Law was back. He was like a lion with a thorn in its paw. A really painful thorn, he discovered when he tried to undo his seatbelt with his right hand, and he needed to twist.
Shaking her head, Iris didn’t comment as she got out of the car and walked around it. By the time she got to his door, he’d gone ashen under his regular skin tone, and little beads of sweat had appeared on his head.
“There’s nothing wrong with needing a bit of help,” she scolded as she leaned over to undo his seatbelt. Was it her imagination, or had she caught an odd glint in his eye when she’d said that? Iris straightened and stepped back but was ready to lend a hand if he needed it.
“Is he being a big baby?” Asad was stepping out of his car as well, shutting it with a small bang, before moving up the driveway toward her. On the street, Connor was parking his car. “I hope you know what you’re in for. He’s the worst when he’s sick or injured.”
“Asshole,” Law grumbled as he let Asad help him out of the car. Iris tried not to be insulted that her help wasn’t good enough. She knew Asad was the better choice when it came to pure muscle. “Like you’re any better.”
“True, but I’m self-aware,” Asad teased. “Let’s get you inside. You look exhausted, and so does Iris.”
Law’s mouth, which had started to open, snapped shut as he looked at Iris.
Wisely, she kept her mouth shut as well. She thought he looked a lot worse off than she felt, but she knew he’d also do for her what he wouldn’t do for himself.
Doms.
So much easier to manipulate than they often realized.