Page 77 of Bloodstained Wings

And why is he doing this?

Carter is going to kill us both if he walks in.

Rich keeps his mouth pressed to mine, soft and sweet and unfamiliar, until I make low noises of distress. Finally, after what feels like an eternity, he draws back and tucks my hair behind my ear. He looks directly into my eyes, a half-smile on his face. Then he presses his mouth directly to my ear, and I don’t like how his hot breath feels against my skin.

This is wrong.

“I’m going to get you out of here, Isabella,” Rich whispers, his voice rising toward the end. “It’s not going to be much longer, you’ll see.”

I struggle to focus, but I can’t make out much because of the thick fog in my brain. When I blink, Rich is gone, and Carter stands in front of me, saying something in a soft voice. He drops a kiss on top of my head, pushes my hair out of my eyes, and gives me a grim smile. When he hands me a Styrofoam cup, I curl my fingers around it and inhale.

Carter’s phone rings, slicing through the air. “I’ll be right outside, dove.”

I sip my scalding hot coffee and try to determine if I dreamt up the whole thing with Rich when another doctor comes in. He is tall and lean, with wisps of hair falling onto his forehead. Wordlessly, he snaps on a pair of latex gloves and rummages around for a syringe. Once he has it in his hand, I gulp and set the coffee down.

“Is that necessary?”

“I’m afraid it is. Your arm is swollen, and we’re afraid that if we keep the contraceptive implant there, it’s only going to become more infected.” He advances and picks up my arm. “You’ll just have to remember to get another one put in once the infection clears up.”

I blink slowly. “Okay, doctor.”

As soon as he’s done, I sink lower into the mattress and give him a loopy smile. Then I flip onto my side and adjust the pillow underneath my neck, missing the feel of Carter’s body against mine. I smell him before he comes into the room, and my body is all too aware of the thin hospital gown I have on. He runs a hand over my arm, gives me a quick kiss, and says something under his breath.

I try to smile, but my eyelids are growing too heavy.

***

Carter

“Paul better not move an inch, or he’ll have me to answer to,” I grumble between sips of my coffee. “You’re supposed to be helping.”

Tristan leans against the wall opposite the vending machine. “I’ll go there in a minute. I just wanted to check on you.”

I let out a low, humorless laugh. “I had to watch them beat her up, Tristan. How do you think I fucking feel?”

Like I want to burn the whole world down and watch it turn to ash and rubble.

It’s only the thought of leaving Bella alone that keeps me glued to the hospital, never too far from her room.

But it doesn’t change the fact that the rules are changing, and the world is closing in on all sides. First, with my own family, then with fucking Lilian, and now with the Natoris and Philipses joining forces. A part of me is still in disbelief and reeling from everything happening, but the other part of me is calm and collected, knowing exactly what I need to do in order to send out a message.

There is going to be hell to pay.

I’m going to make sure of it.

“She’s a lot stronger than I gave her credit for,” Tristan admits, pausing to push himself off the wall. He’s got specks of dirt and blood on his neck and knuckles, but he makes no move to wipe them away. “You still sure you want to keep her in the middle of all this?”

I give Tristan an annoyed look. “Watch it. Tonight is not the night to test me.”

Tristan studies my face. “You’ve thought about it, haven’t you? Carter, you and I have known each other for a long time. I know what you’re like when you’re pushed past the breaking point.”

I toss my cup into the nearest trash can and straighten my back. “Yes, I’ve considered walking away from all of it and building a life with Bella, turning over a new leaf, and all that bullshit.”

Except I know it’s not going to be that simple.

For the first time since meeting Isabella, I am considering it, though, for her sake.

“That’s not what I meant.” Tristan shakes his head, exasperation written all over his face. “You can marry her if you want, settle down, and all that bullshit as you call it, but I don’t think walking away from the family business is going to help. They’ll still come after you, and without the family, you won’t be able to fend them off.”