Chapter Eighteen
Flame…
Fuck. If she’d waited one more minute I swear I’d have lost it. When the doc wouldn’t say anything I thought for sure she’d been raped. It was a huge fuckin’ relief to know she wasn’t, especially after I’d been fuckin’ tearing my hair out worrying about it.
Holding her close, inhaling the shampoo scent in her hair, was the best thing ever.
This is where I was supposed to be, with her in my arms, and knowing she hadn’t been touched by some freak made it one hundred times better.
I’d already been planning how I’d hunt the mother fucker down and tear him to pieces.
Actually it still sounded like a good plan, but maybe not the best idea.
No one was going to touch my woman and get away with it.
“Baby, you’re squeezing too hard.” Michelle squirmed in my arms.
“Sorry. Did I hurt you?”
“No but I can’t breathe. You really did get a lot stronger while you were on tour.”
Displaying my ripped arm, I flexed my guns. “I told you. Feel ‘em. Fucking solid.”
She laughed and squeezed. “Nice. I’m impressed.”
“Thanks.” Impressing her made my day and I figured I had a shit eating grin on my face to prove it.
Shithead. She probably thinks I’m a dork, she’s in the freakin’ hospital for Christ’s sake.
Focus. Relieved about the good news, there was still an asshole out there who needed to be found.
“If there’s only one set of DNA, it’s probably me so we still don’t have a clue. ”
“I guess not. I didn’t think about that. I wonder if the police have any clues.”
“We’ll have to wait until you talk to the detective I guess.
Can you think of anyone who might want to hurt you, or just fuck with you?
” If I hadn’t been focused on her face I might’ve missed it.
A quick flash of something, a memory? Whatever it was turned her even paler than she’d been. “Who or what are you thinking about?”
“Umm I really don’t think he’d do it. He seemed so I don’t know—wimpy—maybe is the best word for it.”
“Who did?”
She shrugged. Obviously she didn’t want to say anything else. She was lucky the nurse came in before I could say more.
“It looks like you’re getting discharged. I bet you’re happy?”
“Oh yeah. Totally. No offense but I hate hospitals.”
“I don’t blame you, honey, I wouldn’t want to be here a minute longer than I needed to either.
I’m going to take out the IV. The doctor is working on your discharge papers and someone will be up from Patient Services about the bill.
You know they never let you out of here without signing your life away. ”
“Oh crap I forgot about the bill.”
“No worries babe I’ve got it covered.” The look she gave me should have killed me I swear. I was trying to a good thing and but you wouldn’t know it from the look on her face.
“I have insurance. The information is in my wallet. Can you call Cyn to ask her to bring it?”
“You don’t…” Seeing her follow up death stare I shut the fuck up and nodded. Digging the phone out of my pocket, I called Chaos.
“Hey bro, can you ask Cyn to bring Michelle’s wallet when you come back? Uh huh. Nope. Yup. Good. See you soon.”
For once I had perfect timing. They were just about ready to head back over. And while I was taking care of the wallet issue with Chaos, the nurse took out Michelle’s IV, a win-win. I didn’t like the sight of blood, mine or anyone else’s. It didn’t mean I wanted Michelle to know I was a pussy.
“They’re on the way back and bringing the wallet. I just caught them.”
“Great. I can’t wait to get out of here. I hate hospitals.”
“Me too. Actually does anyone like hospitals?”
“I’m not sure. I doubt it though.”
She still looked so pale. “Who were you thinking about before the nurse came in?” Her eyes met mine and she squinted a little, probably trying to decide how much to tell me. This shit needed to stop. If we’re ever going to build a life together it had to be the truth always. “C’mon girl, spill it.”
“But I really don’t think he’s capable of this.”
“People can hide who they are. It’s easier than you know.” I knew all too well, and the vision of Ashley made me want to punch the wall. Talk about a deceitful cunt.
“There was a guy in the park Saturday. He teaches in my school, and when he saw us he stopped to talk to me and Teresa. He’s really dorky and totally harmless. I didn’t even remember him until we got back to the apartment and I looked him up on the school website.”
“Harmless because he seemed it or because you know it? Did Teresa feel the same way?”
“I’m not sure. He seemed harmless, but he did kinda freak us out. But other than that no, neither of us were worried he’d hurt us.”
She was holding back, I knew her well enough by now to see it.
There was something more going on. The bigger problem was why didn’t she think she could tell me everything?
“When we get to the hotel will you pull up the site so I can see what he looks like? It can’t hurt to watch for him even if you think he’s not dangerous. ”
“Yeah I can do that. But it probably doesn’t matter since they fired me.”
“If he’s got a thing for you, it won’t matter if you work there or not. We’ve seen enough TV shows to know better.”
“That’s TV.”
“They have to get the story lines from somewhere.”
“Don’t you think you’re being a little paranoid?”
“No, not where you’re concerned. I told you baby, I love you. I will do everything I can to make sure you’re safe. If it’s not this guy then we’ll find out who it is.”
“Okay.” She might be telling me everything was okay, but her face said something else. Another knock on her door put the conversation on hold.
“We’re back,” Chaos announced as he and Cyn came in.
“And I have what you asked for, including your wallet. Did they discharge you yet?”
“Nope I think they’re waiting for the proof I can pay,” Michelle answered. “Babe, can you bring this to the nurse for me?” Taking the insurance card she handed me, I dragged Chaos with me to the nurse’s station hoping Cyn could talk some sense into her.
“What’s up, bro?”
“She’s hiding something, or trying to. I know I’m not the sharpest when it comes to women, Ashley proved that. But I’m worried she won’t be as lucky next time.”
“Do you know who it is?”
“No, the only person she can come up with is this guy she worked with, another teacher. Teresa met him too so I’m going to ask her about him. Other than that she says nothing. It could be Ashley I suppose, but I’ve only heard from her once and I told her to fuck off.”
“It could be a fan, someone who doesn’t want you to have a girlfriend?”
“I guess. After the shit in London I guess anything is possible.”
Chaos nodded. “The down side of being famous.”
“Fuck. Yeah that’s for sure. It’s hard enough having a relationship without all this other shit going on.”
“Yeah it is. Maybe she’ll tell Cyn what’s bugging her?”
“True. They’ve been friends for years so maybe.”
“Can I help you?” A nurse looked up as they approached the nurse’s station.
“I have the insurance card for Michelle DeAngelo. Her nurse was waiting for it I think?”
“Probably not the nurse, more likely patient services. I’ll call down there.”
“Thanks. Do you know how soon she can be discharged?”
“I’ll have her nurse stop by the room. She’d know.”
“Okay.”
Michelle…
“What’s going on? Flame’s worried and you look like you’re about to toss your cookies.”
“Nothing. I just want to get out of here.”
“Bullshit. You might be able to get away with that crap with Flame but I’m not buying it.”
Damn. Is everyone going to bug the shit out of me today? Can’t they leave it alone? If it was Bob I’m sure he’s done now. Right? No, I’m not stupid, but what would be the point to continue now Flame’s back? If it was him at all?
“I’ll tell you the same thing I told him. There’s a teacher at school who creeped me out at the park on Saturday. But it was the first time I’ve ever noticed him. I don’t have any enemies either, except maybe the principle. But she just fired me so why would she bother with anything else?”
“True.”
“You know I haven’t dated anyone in forever even before Flame.
So I got nothing.” The look on her face showed she didn’t believe me either, but I wasn’t about to tell them things I couldn’t prove.
Yeah I’d had the feeling I was being followed or watched or whatever, but since I never saw anyone, how could I prove it. I’d only sound paranoid.
“Whatever. But if you’re holding back I’ll figure it out.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know. Now please give me the bag, I want to get dressed.”
Laughing, she put the bag on the bed and I pulled out what I needed. Flame and Chaos came back as I was getting off the bed.
“Let me help you, baby.”
“Thanks. But I’m really okay. I think I can handle getting dressed by myself.
” A hurt expression crossed his face, so I flashed him a smile hoping to take the edge off my words.
I was bitchy, I knew it, but this entire situation was pissing me off.
I’d been waiting four months to be with Flame and it’d been one screw up after another since he got back.
Throwing everything back in the bag, I got out of bed with the bag and as I passed Flame I hugged him. I wanted things to be back to how they were—fun, freakin’ hot sex, and love too. I was being stupid. I loved him, and I needed to get over being afraid and tell him.
In the bathroom and alone, I leaned against the door and took a deep breath.
Scared much? Yeah I was. Did I want to admit it?
Nope. From the time my parents died I learned I had to be strong and not show my emotions.
My grandmother taught me well. It was usually a lot easier to hide, but knowing someone got to me scared the crap out of me.
Seeing my reflection in the mirror for the first time since all of this happened, explained why everyone was all over me. Pale, dark circles, and maybe a little green? I’d been drugged, wasn’t that enough of an excuse to look like crap?
A shower would have been nice, but the one in the hotel would be better.
Pulling my brush out of the bag I got out the knots and twisted my hair into a bun on top of my head.
Splashing cool water on my face helped and brought some color back, and brushing my teeth got rid of the nasty taste.
Now I didn’t look like one of the walking dead.
Yay for Cyn, she’d brought my favorite jeans and an oversized t-shirt. Back in my own clothes helped make things normal. Pasting a smile on my face, I opened the door to three worried faces. “Easy guys, I’m not dying. I wasn’t in there that long.”
Cyn smiled first. “You look better.”
“I feel better too. Thanks for bringing all this stuff.”
“You’re welcome.”
Flame stepped closer and slid his palm over my cheek and smiled.
“Hey girl.” Before I could answer he wrapped his arms around me and kissed me.
It was different—gentle—like he was afraid he would break me.
Well hell I needed more than that. Dropping the bag on the floor, I slid my hands into his hair and held his mouth to mine and slid my tongue between his lips.
“Miss DeAngelo?”
Flame pulled away so fast I lost my balance. He steadied me and actually blushed. We needed some alone time and soon.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Can’t wait to leave, hmm?”
“I could lie but…”
“Oh I understand. I have your discharge papers here. You have to sign and acknowledge the instructions. The doctor’s card is attached to your copy in case you don’t feel well after you get home.”
“Thanks. Okay where do I sign?”
She put the papers down on the bed table and handed me a pen so I could sign and finally be free from the antiseptic prison. I shoved my copies into the bag, I was ready to get out of there.
“An orderly will be right in with the wheelchair.”
“Do I have to? Can’t I walk out? I’m really fine.”
“Are you sure you’re not too weak?”
“Nope I’m good. Besides there’s no way he’d let me fall.”
She looked at Flame and I caught him shrugging out of the corner of my eye. I couldn’t hide my grin.
“Sorry, it’s policy. You’ll be free of us soon enough.”
With a sigh of resignation, I gave in. The orderly appeared about five minutes later with the wheel chair.
I sat down and picked up my bag only to have Flame take it from me as soon as it was in my hand.
Typical. If it made him happy then I was good with it.
“Let’s get out of here before someone changes their mind. ”
Cyn and Chaos laughed and Flame rolled his eyes but no one hesitated and we got on the elevator and were in the lobby less than five minutes later. Seeing the street through the glass doors gave me my first taste of freedom. I really, really hated hospitals and I’d been there way too long already.