Chapter Fourteen. #2
“You’d better hope so, or you’ve opened us to a lawsuit. Worse, your actions might have tipped off Julie’s kidnapper, and he could kill her before she’s traced. Start praying you ain’t just screwed up. Get out and find Julie!” Slaughter yelled.
I left convinced I’d not fucked up because if I had, the repercussions were unthinkable.
April
I glowered at Mahoney as she slunk past me in the ER. Teagan stood by my side with a matching glare.
“I just heard.”
“What the fuck is Mahoney doing back?” I demanded as Mahoney scuttled down a corridor and disappeared from view.
“The hospital has put her on a final warning. However, Mahoney’s been forced out of the ER and onto the men’s geriatric ward. She hates it there. Have the police contacted you?” Teagan asked.
“Yes. They charged Mahoney with assault; there wasn’t enough evidence for attempted murder. Bitch has a clean record, so she got a slap on the wrist and community service.”
“For assault?” Teagan exclaimed.
“Yeah, and that she’s a nurse and valuable to society. They’re making that bitch do a hundred hours of community service. It’s higher than usual, but the judge wasn’t too happy. Apparently, although she copped a guilty plea, Mahoney pouted and sulked and blamed the hospital for her actions.”
“Mahoney was processed quickly,” Teagan exclaimed.
“Yeah. Seems her granddaddy plays golf with the judge and wanted this resolved swiftly. But with her spoiled attitude in court, the judge threw the book at her; can’t say I blame him. I’d have thrown a brick.”
“I would have too,” Teagan agreed.
Resigned, I shrugged. “And Mahoney’s on her last warning here?”
“Yup, they’re giving her scut work, and Mahoney’s livid. She thought she ruled the roost down here, and she’s got her comeuppance,” Teagan replied.
“Any news on Reines?”
“No, Reines has been acting his usual douche self, but if you look closely, it’s a front. With all the complaints against him, I can’t see Reines getting away with shit.”
“The man is a walking STD,” Teagan muttered.
“Oh, ain’t he just. And Mahoney was desperate to get laid by him? God knows why, because some of the comments I heard weren’t complimentary,” I bitched, and Teagan laughed.
“Yup, I overheard similar stuff.” Tegan snickered.
“Anyway, what’s with you and Smokey? You keep hitting that,” I demanded, waggling my eyebrows.
“He’s fun and loose. Smokey’s got a talent for making a woman feel good, and I needed that. But it’s not serious; we both want different things. Smokey wants to settle down and have a family, and…” she shook her head, “nope, that’s not me.”
“Enjoy that!” I teased and started walking away.
“What’s with you and Harlequin? One minute you’re making out and the next ripping each other’s throats out. Won’t you bang him already and get the angst out of your system?”
“Not happening, Teag, we had a massive fight, and words were said that can’t be forgiven. I should have known better than to give Stone a second chance.” I sighed, sadness mingling with bitterness.
“Maybe you can work things out?” Teagan suggested softly.
“That’s doubtful. Anyway, gotta check my patient, and I’ve got to go home and get ready. I’m taking Clara out to dinner tonight.”
“Special day?” Teagan asked.
“No. Clara’s tired of being cooped up, so I recommended a decent restaurant, and she agreed.”
“Have a nice time. I’ve got a pizza and movie calling my name, and maybe a booty call,” Teagan said and moved over to a cubicle.
I shook my head as Teagan walked away. How nice to have such self-awareness and confidence. With a grimace, I pasted on a smile and headed back to take the patients’ stats.
Harlequin
April was running late. She should have finished by now, and I checked my phone for a third time.
Twenty minutes overdue. I knew April was still inside because her car was here.
I’d not seen her for two days, and I thought it best to let tempers ease.
Plus, I’d been dogging Margrave’s every step and driving him crazy.
Jinx was currently watching him discreetly, and I hoped Margrave made a move, just not right this minute.
My eyes wandered the parking lot and paused when they hit a bike I recognised.
Runner. I straightened up and looked around. Was Runner here by coincidence?
April exited the hospital, laughing, her face lit with pure amusement.
She stopped by the entrance, speaking to someone who made her laugh again.
April nodded, turned away, and began walking towards the car park.
Angrily, my fists clenched as Runner chased after her.
He was speaking and wore a charming look.
April hesitated and then withdrew her phone.
She typed something in, and Runner dipped his chin before heading for his bike.
April watched for a few moments and then continued to her car. Concern warring with anger, I marched over, and she jumped, a hand going to her purse and slipping inside. April’s shoulders hunched up, and she made herself small and faced sideways.
“Stone!” she exclaimed and relaxed a little.
“April, don’t go on a date with him,” I snapped, and April recoiled. Guilt rose within me.
“Stone, you can’t tell me what to do.”
“April, Runner’s a bad guy, a bully. Don’t get involved with him,” I added, and April shook her head.
“Wow, you reject me, but you don’t want anyone else to have me either. Harry seemed nice. Honestly, I can’t wait to get Clara out of here and leave,” April hissed. “If I wish to date someone, I will!”
Okay, there were two things to address. I chose the first. “That guy’s name was Runner, when he was a prospect for the club.
Runner was kicked out for being disrespectful to the old ladies and their girl friends.
He also kept bullying Jinx and trying to harm Jinx.
Runner was lazy as fuck, didn’t do something and Jinx got the blame.
Runner hates me because I told on him before Jinx picked up punishment duty. ”
“Wow.” April threw her hands up. “So, Harry doesn’t like me but is using me to get revenge on you! Can your fuckin’ ego get any bigger?” Hurt appeared in April’s eyes, and I groaned.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“That’s what you said,” April retorted. Damn her sass. “Go find Chelsea.”
“Babe, I’m not arguing,” I stated and reached for her.
April opened her mouth to shout at me, and I swooped.
With an annoyed noise, April tried to pull back, but instead, I hauled her close and clamped my arms around her.
Her mouth snapped shut in an attempt to keep me from kissing her deeply, and I smiled against her lips.
“Won’t work, baby,” I muttered against them and nibbled her bottom one.
April tensed, knowing what I was planning to do, and lasted a few moments before softening while I held her.
Her lips parted slightly, and that was all the invitation I needed.
I swept in and teased April’s tongue with my own.
My cock hardened at the feel of the woman in my arms and pressed against my jeans.
Shit, just kissing April made me hard. I’d never last when I got inside her.
That image almost sent me over the edge.
April spread out for me to feast on, hair fanned all over a pillow and legs wide apart.
My cock became pained as I grabbed that ass and squeezed, fitting April’s pelvis against mine.
April wound her hands around my neck and pressed closer.
Christ, she felt even better than I remembered.
Sure, April was bigger, but I loved that.
Her ass cheeks were fuckin’ amazing, and I imagined her bent over in front of me.
Acting of its own volition, my hand smacked her butt cheeks hard, making April squeal.
I grabbed and rubbed it more before squeezing and murmuring my appreciation.
April pulled back, and I stared into her eyes. “Never fuckin’ doubt I need someone else over you,” I growled out. I pressed my dick into April and backed her against the car. “Feel this? Nobody has ever made me instantly stiff like you do. I could hammer nails, I’m so fuckin’ hard.”
“That…”
“Shut up. You don’t date anyone other than me. You want to get laid, only I get between those fuckin’ lush thighs. No one touches what’s mine, and that means you!”
April blinked in sheer surprise. Whatever she’d been expecting, it wasn’t that. Fire flashed in her eyes as I ground my cock against her to drive home my point.
“Mine,” I growled.