Chapter 18
ZINNIA
Two Days Later . . .
Waking up in the hospital isn’t my favorite pastime. Though this time, I didn’t just wake up to Gunner, but to Delilah as well. I watch them as Gunner holds his daughter close while they both sleep in the chair next to my bed.
Seeing them together like that melts my heart. Never have I felt anything like this. I remember what had happened, the torture that I went through yet again at Basa’s hands.
Tears prick my eyes, and it’s all I can do to keep from sobbing and waking up the two most important people in my life. Hanging there chained to a wall while Basa had inflicted his pain on me, I knew I’d miss them.
But for once, it seems my prayers have been answered and they’re here. Gunner and his daughter, who only in a matter of days . . . okay hours . . . stole my heart. Granted, my heart has always been Gunner’s. Just a part of it went from him to his daughter.
Gunner must sense someone watching him ‘cause he comes awake and his eyes first go to the door before slowly coming to mine. The moment he sees I’m awake, he gently lifts his daughter in his arms to stand and comes closer to the bed. He lays her down and cups either side of my face.
“Baby,” he rasps gravelly, leaning his forehead against mine. “I thought I lost you. Fuck, Zinnia, I don’t think I can get through losing you again.”
“I’m right here.” Tears spill freely out of the corners of my eyes. “You saved me.” I know he did. I can feel it in my bones he did.
“Yeah, you’re here, and this time, you’re not going anywhere. I’ll make damn sure of it,” he growls and kisses me senseless.
“Daddy,” Delilah mumbles sleepily. “Stop kissing my Nia.” She pouts and curls deeper into me.
I giggle as Gunner pulls away and looks down at the little girl looking up at both of us.
“Pipsqueak, I’ll kiss my woman all I want,” he grunts.
Delilah brings her gaze to mine and frowns. “Boys have cooties. You shouldn’t let Daddy kiss you. He’ll turn into a frog.”
I giggle harder and shake my head. “Lilah, that’s not true.
He doesn’t have cooties. See what the stories and movies don’t tell you about them turning into a frog is that only when a girl grows up and finds the one man for her, that will do anything .
. . give up everything . . . then they turn into a knight in shining armor. ”
“But Daddy doesn’t ride a horse.”
“Sure, he does. His is just the metal kind, comes on two wheels and looks a whole lot cooler.” I smile and roll my eyes at Gunner as he snorts.
“Oh, so when I grow up, I can find my knight in shining armor like you found Daddy?” Delilah asks inquisitively.
Gunner sobers and looks at his daughter. “Princess, when that day comes, whoever that knight in shining armor is, he better be prepared to put up a fight against your dad. Because no man will be good enough for you unless he’s able to go toe to toe with me.”
“Gunner,” I snicker and shake my head.
“What?” He smirks, meeting my gaze.
“Nothing.” I smile and lean into the pillow, exhausted. “Can we go home now?” I ask, wanting nothing more than to get out of the hospital.
“Yeah, baby. I’ll get the doctors, and we’ll get that going,” Gunner states sternly. I’m sure he’s tired of being in hospitals as much as I am.
Three Hours Later . . .
“So glad you’re here,” Avery murmurs, coming to sit next to me on the couch. Willow, CJ, and Rebel all move in close as well. “We were all worried about you.”
“I’m okay,” I assure them and wrap an arm around Delilah, who’s been glued to my side since I woke up. Hell, Gunner hasn’t even let me out of his sight either.
When we’d left the hospital, it wasn’t a simple maneuver. Each of his brothers on their bikes barricaded an SUV and proceeded to surround the vehicle all the way to the clubhouse.
“Zinnia,” Gunner speaks up before anyone can respond.
“Yes?” I meet his gaze seeing the apprehension in his gaze.
“I’ve got church and need to know that you won’t go out of the clubhouse,” he states wearily.
“I won’t.”
“Not even to sit in the sun,” he pushes. “I want to know you’re inside safe and sound while I’m meetin’ with my brothers.”
“Gunner, I promise. I won’t go outside. I’ll be right here when you get back,” I murmur, brows creasing. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Gunner holds my gaze for a long moment before jerking his head in answer, nodding. “Okay.” He releases a breath, leans into me, and presses his forehead to mine. “Love you, Dimples.”
“Love you too,” I whisper back, knowing everyone is watching us.
Gunner kisses me briefly and straightens. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Turning on his heel, he leaves the girls and me to follow behind his brothers until the doors close behind them.
I don’t know what’s to come, but whatever it is, when it comes to the De La Rosas, it’s not over. It scares me to think of what else could come from it all.