Mia
I’d watched from my window as Wrath and the others got into their SUVs and disappeared into the night. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen them roll out like that, but this time felt different. This time, it wasn’t just my father, it was a piece of my heart driving off in one of those SUVs.
And it terrified me.
I’d known Wrath for years. He was always very serious, with his brows furrowed and stiff back, but every now and then, I would catch a glimpse of him smiling. It would be over something one of the brothers had said, but on a rare occasion, I’d catch him smiling at me.
I had no idea what I’d said or done to cause him to smile. If I had, I would’ve done it over and over again. I liked to see him smile. I liked it even more that I’d been the one to make him do so, and it terrified me to think I might never get the chance to do so again.
I sat there, staring out that window for hours, anxiously checking the clock and peering out at the gate, hoping to catch a glimpse of his SUV pulling in.
The minutes felt like hours, each passing second pushing my patience to its limits.
My imagination wasn’t helping matters. I kept imagining the worst. All the what-ifs and maybes tied into one big horrible nightmare that I couldn’t shake.
I tried to think of other things, like the times we’d spent together. The movies. The meals. The incredible nights of passion. The laughter, the warmth, and the moments of vulnerability. I clung to those memories, drawing strength from them, but they weren’t enough to ease the knot in my stomach.
When I couldn’t stand it a moment longer, I walked down the hall to the infirmary to check in on Riley. As soon as I stepped through the door, Riley looked up at me with worry in his eyes and asked, “Are they back yet?”
“No. Afraid not.” As I stepped closer, I couldn’t help but notice all the gadgets he was hooked up to. There was an IV and heart monitor, along with a line of oxygen that was in his nose. I placed my hand on his arm as I asked, “How are you making it?”
“I’m fine. Doc says I should be back on my feet in a couple of days.”
“That’s great, Riley. I’m really glad to hear that.” My voice trembled as I said, “I wish the same was true for Cody.”
“You and me both, but things happen. We both knew what we signed up for when we started prospecting.”
“Well, I don’t know what I would’ve done if you two hadn’t come.”
“Glad to help. Besides, now I got some war wounds, and chicks dig war wounds.”
I giggled with a nod. “That they do.”
“You don’t gotta worry about Wrath. He and the boys will be back any minute.”
“I certainly hope so.” The mention of their return had me eager to check the window, so I gave Riley a warm smile and said, “I’ll let you get some rest, but just give me a shout if you need anything.”
“I’ll be fine, but thanks.”
With that, I left the infirmary and went to my room, then directly over to my window.
My heart sank when I didn’t see any sign of the guys.
I was about to go back over to my bed but stopped when I heard the familiar sound of my father’s SUV.
I leaned in for a closer look, and relief washed over me when I saw that he and the others were pulling through the gate.
I wanted to rush outside and make sure they were all okay, but I knew that wasn’t an option.
I would just have to hold out and wait for Wrath to come to me.
I lay back on the bed and stared up at the ceiling, counting the minutes until Wrath walked through my door. Only, he didn’t come walking through that door. It had been over an hour, and there had been no sign of him.
My patience had run thin, and I couldn’t stand to stay holed up in my bedroom a second longer. I opened my door and had barely stepped into the hall when I spotted Rooster. He was heading towards the bar when I shouted, “Hey, Roost!”
“Yeah?”
He stopped and turned to face me as I asked, “Have you seen Wrath?”
“Pretty sure he just went to his room.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Without saying anything more, I turned and charged down the hall. When I got to Wrath’s room, I tapped on the door, but he didn’t answer. I tapped again, harder this time, and when he didn’t answer this time, I opened his door and called out to him, “Wrath?”
I waited a moment for him to respond, and that’s when I heard the shower running. I could’ve sat down on the bed and just waited for him, but I didn’t. For reasons I couldn’t explain, I felt the need to go to him, so I did.
I walked into that bathroom, and I found Wrath standing in the shower with his palms resting flat on the cold tile and his head bent down.
The hot water was cascading down over his head and shoulders, and he was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t even notice that I’d walked in.
I kicked off my shoes and slipped off my sweats, but I left on my t-shirt and underwear as I stepped inside behind him.
I reached up behind him, placed the palm of my hand on his back, and whispered, “Are you okay?”
Startled, he jerked head around and calmed the second he saw me. “Yeah, I just needed a minute.”
“Can I stay?”
“You know you don’t have to ask.”
I took that as a yes and remained planted behind him, watching as the water cascaded down his muscular back.
He was covered in tattoos, front and back.
They helped to hide the scars, but I knew they were there.
I’d felt them. I’d seen them—just like I was seeing the angry wound on his bicep now.
It was a shallow, elongated laceration that was about three inches in length.
The skin around it was red and angry, reminding me of a burn.
The sight tore at my heart, but I didn’t freak out.
I’d seen a wound like that before. I knew it was a bullet graze, and that scared me.
But I remained strong. I kept my emotions in check and didn’t even ask him what happened.
I simply reached for a bottle of soap and poured a small amount onto my hand.
I lathered it gently, tenderly washing his back and down his arms, paying extra attention to his wound.
I was gentle, ensuring it was cleaned without causing him any further discomfort. I couldn’t help but notice the tension in his muscles seemed to be subsiding. I began to wash his hair, carefully massaging his scalp and allowing the water to rinse away the traces of chaos he’d endured.
I’d washed every inch of him and was about to start again when Wrath reached down and turned off the water. I quickly opened the door and reached for a towel, carefully helping him dry off. As soon as I was done, I whispered, “I’ll be out in a minute.”
He nodded, then stepped out of the room.
I removed my wet t-shirt and bra, then took a second to dry off.
Once I was done, I wrapped the towel around me and went to join Wrath in the bedroom.
When I walked in, I found him standing by the foot of the bed.
He was wearing a pair of low-hanging sleep pants that showed off his well-defined V and nothing else, leaving the rest of his gorgeous, muscular torso bare.
There was sweat beading across his brow, and he was working to put a bandage on his wound. “Hold on, and I’ll help you with that. I just need to borrow a T-shirt first.”
“Grab one out of the bottom drawer.”
I nodded, then walked over to the dresser and picked out a long sleeve tee, then slipped it over my head. I draped my towel over the back of his chair, then walked over and took the bandage from his hand. “You should really let Doc take a look at it.”
“It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine.” I carefully placed the bandage over the wound as I told him, “It looks angry.”
“Mia.”
“Okay, suit yourself, but no complaining when it gets infected.”
“I’ll take my chances.”
“Stubborn.” I was done placing the bandage, so I suggested, “Why don’t you get in bed and get some rest.”
He hesitated but eventually did as I asked and got into bed, propping the pillows behind his head. Once he was settled, he asked, “You gonna get in with me or what?”
“You should rest.”
“Mia, get your ass in the fucking bed.”
“Okay. Okay.” I stepped over and crawled in next to him, being sure to leave a little distance between us. He looked over to me, and a spark flashed through his eyes. “There a problem?”
“Nope. I’m good.” Even though he was wounded, bandaged, and exhausted, he looked so damn good laying there looking at me with longing in his eyes.
“What about you?”
“I’d be better if you weren’t all the way over there.”
He slipped his arm under me, pulling me over to him. Without giving me a chance to protest, he pressed his lips against mine, and I was immediately putty in his hands. His tongue drifted over my bottom lip, and with a slight whimper, I opened my mouth, giving him access to delve deeper.
Unconscious of my own movement, I leaned towards him, and in a matter of seconds, we were both lost in the moment.
It was like the world around us had just disappeared, and it was just him and me.
My hands drifted up to his chest, and when my fingers grazed his bandage, I quickly pulled back from our embrace.
I bit down on my bottom lip as I scooted back away from him. As much as I wanted him, that wasn’t why I was there. I wanted to be there for him and support him. “Not happening tonight.”
“Excuse me?”
“You need your rest.” I rolled over on my side, facing away from him as I said, “Good night.”
I heard a slight chuckle, then a soft, “Good night, Mia.”
I did my best to lay still, hoping I wouldn’t distract Wrath, and just as I hoped, it wasn’t long before I heard his breathing begin to slow.
Moments later, his body stilled, and I knew he had drifted off to sleep.
Being careful not to wake him, I rolled back over, and as I lay there staring at his handsome face, I was hit with a wave of gratitude. He came back to me.