Chapter 10
Remington
Since the night of the attack, I’d had my ups and downs, but I thought I was finally starting to improve, especially when we first got to Ada’s.
Not only had I gotten a kick out of watching her interact with Noah, but the lavender oil she’d put on my bruises felt amazing, and breakfast had been out of this world.
I was actually enjoying myself until I suddenly began feeling terrible.
The room started to spin, and I could barely hold my eyes open. I thought I was just overly tired, but I knew something had to be wrong when I found myself back in the medical room with Doc. He was hovering over me, checking the IV in my arm when I asked, “What’s going on?”
“Well, look who’s back in the land of the living.” He smiled as he reached down for my wrist and started checking my pulse. “You’ve got yourself a nasty infection.”
“What kind of infection?”
“Looks like a deep incisional SSI.”
“And what’s that?”
He released my wrist and crossed his arms. “An infection that occurs beneath the incision area—usually in the muscle or the surrounding tissue. It’s treated with a round of IV antibiotics or a second surgery, but hopefully, it won’t come to that.”
“How did this happen?”
“Can’t say for sure.”
My eyelids grew heavy as I listened to him explain how the infection might’ve come from the initial stab wound or while he was stitching me up.
Doc had just started voicing his concerns about my becoming septic, and while I was also worried, his voice was low and soothing, making it impossible not to doze off.
I had no idea how long I’d been sleeping when the sound of Noah’s voice woke me up.
His voice was muffled as if he were far away, making it difficult to hear what he was saying.
Trying to hide the fact I was awake, I kept my eyes closed as I tilted my head and tried to listen more closely.
“This thing is bigger than any of us thought.”
“Any idea what we’re gonna do about it?”
“Not yet, but we’ll figure something out.” I could hear the anxiety in his voice as Noah continued, “We have to. Otherwise, we risk losing everything.”
“Viper gonna call us into church?”
I had no idea what he meant by calling them ‘into church,’ but Noah replied, “Not until Menace gets some more intel on Mathews. He’s working on it now.”
“Good.”
There was a brief pause before Noah asked, “She doing any better?”
“It’s too early to tell.”
I was surprised by the sound of concern in Noah’s voice. “She been out like that since I left?”
“She’s come around a time or two, but for the most part, she’s been resting.
” I opened my eyes, just enough to see them talking, and a warmth washed over me when I saw the way Noah was looking at me.
As soon as Doc noticed I was awake, he motioned over to me and said, “Looks like she’s coming around if you wanna talk to her. ”
Noah nodded, then started walking in my direction. When he reached the end of the gurney, he asked, “How you feeling?”
“A little better, I think.”
“Good. I, uh...I can’t stay. I gotta get back. Do you need anything?”
“A hot bubble bath would be nice.”
A soft smile crossed his handsome face. “Well, you keep getting better, and I’ll see what I can do.”
“Okay.” When he turned to leave, I called out to him. “Noah?”
“Yeah?”
I was being needy and selfish, but I couldn’t help it. I felt better when he was around, and I really didn’t want him to leave. “Will you come back?”
“Yeah, as soon as I can.”
He gave me a quick wink, then turned and walked over to Doc.
After he talked to him for a few minutes, he disappeared out into the hall.
I felt like I was sinking into a pit of despair, and I hated it.
I had always been fairly independent and able to take care of myself, but this whole thing had taken its toll on me, and I was feeling more vulnerable than I ever had before.
I just wanted this nightmare to be over, or at the very least, to feel a little better.
Maybe then, I wouldn’t seem like such a burden to Noah and his brothers.
I was really starting to feel sorry for myself when Doc walked over and placed his hand on my ankle. “You doing okay, kiddo?”
“Been better.”
“I’m sure you have, but be patient. You’ll be back on your feet soon enough.” He gave me a little pat. “I’ll move you over to your room when we get that fever down a little more.”
“How much more?”
“Well, it’s hanging around the one-oh-two to one-oh-three mark. I’d feel better if we could get it down to at least one hundred. Then, you’d be feeling a lot better too.”
“Okay.” As I watched him check my IV, I thought about what I’d heard Noah say, and the more I did, the more curious I became. “Hey, Doc, can I ask you a question?”
“You can ask. Not sure I’ll be able to answer.”
“I overheard a little of what you and Noah were saying earlier, and he mentioned something about Detective Mathews. Is he the one responsible for what happened to me and Thomas, or is there someone else involved too?”
“Sorry, doll. That’s club business.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means I can’t get into it with you.” He cocked his eyebrow and shrugged. “We don’t discuss business with anyone outside of the brotherhood, especially women.”
“So, you keep secrets from your wives?”
“You mean our ol’ ladies,” he corrected. “And yes, we keep some secrets, but it’s only to ensure the safety of our loved ones.”
“Safe from what?”
“Can’t get into that either.”
“So, you Ruthless Sinners really are as dangerous as people say.”
He reached over and grabbed the thermometer. As he ran the scanner over my forehead, he looked down at me and said, “Regardless of how dangerous we may or may not be, you’re safe here with us, and you can trust Shotgun and the rest of my brothers will do everything they can to get you back home.”
“I appreciate that. I don’t fully understand why—especially when it comes to Shotgun. There are times when I think he can’t stand the very sight of me.” My eyes drifted up to the ceiling. “I can’t really blame him, though. I do look pretty terrible.”
“Oh, come on, now. It’s just a few bruises.
They’ll fade soon enough.” He returned the thermometer to the counter, then turned back to me and said, “And don’t give too much thought into the whole Shotgun thing.
It takes time for him to warm up to folks, but I got a feeling he’s already warmed up to you.
Probably more than either of you realize. ”
I yawned and shook my head. “I don’t know about that.”
“Well, I do.” Doc’s voice grew soft like he was talking to himself. “Never seen him act like he does when he’s with you.”
“Hmmm.” I closed my eyes. “Not sure if that’s good or bad.”
“It’s definitely good. He’s been needing a woman like you to come into his life.” He gave me a pat on the leg. “Get a little rest while I go grab you a bite to eat.”
I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. I’d already dozed back off and was dreaming of Noah. We were in his room, on his bed, and every nerve in my body was tingling with anticipation as he hovered over me, his mouth just inches from mine. His lips brushed against mine.
Not innocently like a tease, but hot, fervent, and demanding.
I wanted to pull away, fearing I might lose myself in his touch, but I couldn’t seem to resist him.
I wanted Noah too much and could no longer think straight.
A light moan escaped my lips, and that was it.
The dam broke, and all of our inhibitions faded away.
Noah’s fingers dove into my hair, grasping the nape of my neck as he pulled me closer and delved deep into my mouth.
I’d never felt anything so incredible, so all-consuming, and I wanted more.
I reached for the hem of his shirt, and he took over, quickly pulling it over his head. My hands began to wander on their own, roaming over his chest as they explored the curves of his perfectly defined muscles.
“Remington,” he whispered, and my heart fluttered at the sound of his voice. His eyes never left mine as he clasped his hands on either side of my face. “Don’t leave. Stay with me.”
Never before had I felt so wanted. So alive. I wanted to do as he asked and stay there. I wanted to savor every second, but unfortunately, the moment ended as quickly as it began. Doc gave me a gentle nudge as he whispered, “Remington. Hey, Remington.”
“Noah?”
“No, doll. Sorry to disappoint, but it’s just me.”
My eyes fluttered open, and I found Doc standing next to me, holding a plate filled with toast, eggs, and bacon. “Oh, umm…Hey.”
“Brought you some breakfast.”
“Thanks, but I’m not really all that hungry.”
“Maybe not, but the food would do you good.” He placed the plate on the table next to me. “You were having yourself quite a dream there, weren’t ya? Heard you say ‘Noah’ a couple of times.”
“Oh, really? I don’t remember.” Feeling more than a little embarrassed that I’d been caught dreaming about Noah, I looked over to the window and was surprised to see sunlight seeping through the blinds. “What time is it?”
“Almost ten. You’ve been out for a good while.”
“How long?”
“In and out for two days now.”
“Seriously?” I sat up and was surprised that even though I was still a little groggy, I didn’t feel as bad as I had before.
I wasn’t as stiff and sore, and I didn’t feel like the room was spinning.
I brushed the hair from my face and cringed at how tangled and matted it was.
“How is it possible that I’ve been out of it for two days? ”
“It’s perfectly normal. Your body needed time to heal.”
“That means it’s been even longer since I’ve had a decent shower. I feel so gross.”
“I tell you what.” He motioned his hand over to the plate of food. “Since your fever’s finally broken, we can get you a shower and a change of clothes, but I’m gonna need you to eat something first.”