Chapter 57
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Kash
When we arrived at the hospital, Mila’s stats were stable, but I was left waiting as they took her for evaluation.
Immediate family only, I was told. I sat in the waiting area with her parents and sister.
It was probably warmer in the Arctic. When the doctor came out, he told us she was lucky.
Mila only sustained a head contusion, plus a few cuts and bruises, but she was otherwise alright.
They were still waiting on some bloodwork, but she looked okay.
My girl was in the hospital, and he had the audacity to say she looked okay.
I know Mila wouldn’t have gone the whole way out there on her own. I sat in the waiting area, giving Cassie my statement and keeping my eyes on the door the entire time. It felt like forever as we sat there, waiting for the doctor to come back and update us on how she was.
They got her a room and told us we could go in two at a time, warning about staying too long.
After arguing with her dad outside of her room for twenty minutes straight, Willa and Mara finally convinced him to stop.
I understand his feelings. If the situation were reversed, and one of our kids had a boyfriend like me, I probably would have already killed him.
Knowing that Jake is Bri’s brother, twin or not, makes me want to find his room and finish what I started.
He hurt my girl, and I regret not killing him.
I sat by her bedside, refusing to leave.
Her dad glared at me the entire time, not saying anything.
I didn’t care. I wasn’t going anywhere. I’d hurt anyone who tried to come between us, and I think the guy lying somewhere in this hospital will attest to that.
Remembering the way his ribs gave in still brings me joy.
Willa is where Mila gets her sweetness from.
She pulled me in for a hug and told me she didn’t blame me.
Until that moment, I had no idea how badly I wanted to believe that.
That this whole situation wasn’t my fault.
Bri was my ex, and she orchestrated a way to hurt my girl.
Wiping a tear from her eye, Willa gave me a watery smile.
“Thank you for saving our girl, Kash.” She didn’t say my girl; she said our.
She gets it. Willa is officially my favorite Morgan family member after Sunshine, of course.
I tried apologizing to her, but she waved me off. “We are not responsible for other people, Kash, only ourselves. You took responsibility, and you didn’t take his life, even though I’d like to wring the remaining part of it out.”
I don’t think I deserve her kindness, but when she puts her arms around me, I find myself leaning into the hug.
It’s different from my hugs with Emma. Emma chose to take me and keep me because I had nowhere else to go.
Willa is choosing to accept me into her family because of who I am and what she knows I mean to Mila.
Looking over at her dad, I can see that’s going to be a completely different story.
Mila woke up a while ago, and I stepped out to give her dad some space.
I’ve been talking to her mom, and between her and Mara, I got them to agree that the best thing would be for Mila to go out of town for a few days.
I think Mara still feels guilty and I’m not above using that to my advantage.
The police are confident they can find Bri quickly, and I want to take Mila away from here. It’ll be safer. Her dad disagrees.
When I was headed back to her room, fully prepared to battle it out with her dad, he stopped me and told me she was talking with the doctor.
After he left, I waited outside the door for a moment, listening to their hush conversation.
When I heard what he told her, it solidified my plans.
Mila was going home with me, even if I had to kidnap her.
I smiled at the doctor as he passed by and went to check on my girl.
I stayed for a while but left so she could get her rest. I had bags to pack and things to gather.
Everything was falling into place; I just needed the police to catch Bri, and we could move on completely.
There would be no leniency this time. She fucked up big, her and her brother.
When he gets released from the hospital, Jake is heading to jail.
Sadly, I only broke three of his ribs, fractured his jaw and knocked out two of his teeth.
I wasn’t afraid to take his life—a large part of me still wants to.
I’d love to go to his room, wherever he’s cuffed to a bed, and smother him with his pillow, but I can’t. I can’t protect Mila if I’m in jail.
Cassie assured me they aren’t likely to pursue charges because of the kidnapping. I wouldn’t care if they did. I’d tell a judge that he deserved what he got for touching my girl, and I’d do it with a smile.
Now, here we are, three hours into our drive, and I feel nothing but peace.
I’ve been planning this trip for about a month, and what better time to do it than now.
Mara, Kate and Joelle are handling the cafe in her absence—much to Mila’s dismay.
It wasn’t until Mara pointed out that Bri was still on the loose that it finally sunk in how dangerous the situation was.
Mara can handle her own, but I need Mila with me.
She didn’t ask where we were going, and I didn’t tell her.
Mila rides silently in the car next to me, her fingers intertwined with mine.
She hasn’t said much since we left the hospital yesterday.
I grabbed enough of our clothes for a couple of days, along with a few extra items, and we hit the road.
We should reach our destination in about two hours.
“You okay, Sweet Girl? You’ve been awfully quiet the whole ride.”
Giving me a small smile, Mila nods. “Yeah, just tired still. It’s been a rough week.”
“That’s an understatement. Do you want to stop? We should be there after a bit.”
“Nope. I’m good.”
Shit. This isn’t good. Is she not happy? I feel like she’s retreated into herself, and I don’t like it. There’s a reason I call Mila Sunshine. She’s a happy person. She sees the good in everyone, even when they don’t deserve it. Her heart is made out of pure gold.
“You can tell me anything, you know, even if something is bothering you,” I point out, bringing our joined hands to my mouth to kiss her fingertips. “I love you, Mila. Nothing is going to change that.”
“I love you too, Casanova,” she responds with a soft sigh. Closing her eyes, Mila falls asleep with her head pressed against the window. She needs rest, so I drive the remainder of the way in silence.
Putting the last of our bags in the room a couple of hours later, I smile.
Mila’s outside on the private deck, overlooking the ocean.
I saw all sorts of seashells, and photos from the beach in her apartment when I was snooping, so I knew this would be the perfect spot to bring her.
I wanted to wait until it was warmer, but it’s nice enough now.
The breeze picks her hair up, softly whipping it around her face.
She’s wearing leggings and one of my sweatshirts, her hair loosely blowing in the wind, and she’s never looked more beautiful to me.
Walking out to join her, she turns at the sound of the door opening, offering me a smile.
It reaches all the way to her eyes, so I’ll take it.
“It’s beautiful here, Kash. The view is just amazing.”
“The view is more than amazing—it’s perfect,” I amend, standing next to her at the railing.
Blush stains her cheeks, and she rolls her eyes. Moving behind her, I tug Mila into my arms, her back tight against my chest. “Always so smooth with the lines, Casanova.” She shakes her head with a smile.
When I wind my arms around her waist and rest them on her stomach, she freezes for a moment, then relaxes.
“It’s not a line if it’s the truth, Sweet Girl.
” After a quick kiss to the top of her head, I thread my fingers through hers and press my face against her cheek.
I lower my lips toward her ear and softly murmur, “There is no sight in existence that could possibly be more perfect than when I see you.”
She hums softly but doesn’t respond.
“Come on.” I tug her toward the bedroom. “Let’s take a nap before dinner. I have a surprise for you.”
Laughing, Mila looks at me. “I’m not sure I have the energy for that kind of surprise, Kash.”
“Is sex all you think about, Mila? Honestly? I told everyone they were wrong when they said you only wanted me for my body.” I feign hurt.
Rolling her eyes, Mila allows me to lift her in my arms, and I walk us toward the bedroom. The private beach house not only leads right out to the sand and water, but the semi-closed balcony sealed the deal for me. The owner was kind enough to let me adjust my earlier reservation.
Moving the blankets, I lie down, pulling Mila close to my side.
She curls into me, getting comfortable. Not feeling close enough to her, I tug our shirts and pants off and pull her body partially over mine.
I grab a blanket and cover us, releasing the breath I feel like I’ve been holding for days.
From when I realized she was missing, to finding her and then waiting in the hospital.
I finally feel like I can breathe, knowing she’s here with me and okay.
Our suitcases lay untouched by the closet, and as I eye my backpack by the wall, I momentarily feel a buzz of nervousness. This weekend has to go perfectly.