before I passed out.
Crapcakes.
Chapter 2 – Willow
I blinked rapidly as I tried to figure out where I was. The sterile white walls, the beeping, the cloying smell…hospital. One of my least favorite places.
“And I’m her medical power of attorney, you piece of shit. Try to come in this room again, and you’ll be up before your review board, your state board, and anything else I can stick you with. She doesn’t want to see you, she refuses your care, and if you touch her, I’ll file assault and battery charges against you on her behalf,” Dom’s voice was hard as steel and sharp enough to flay skin.
I couldn’t understand the reply, but I knew that voice. I closed my eyes as I tried to escape it. It haunted my dreams. Stalked my waking moments. Left me a shuddering quaking mess deep inside myself.
The machine I was hooked to betrayed me. I wanted to throw it out the window, me along with it, if that’s what it took to escape him. I kept my eyes closed as I heard footsteps edge towards my bed.
“Just me, Will. He’s gone. And he won’t be back. I promise you that,” Dom said as he took my hand.
I opened my eyes. Shut them again as the sterile walls and blank ceiling mocked me for my weakness. My stomach clenched as my chest spasmed. “I’ve got to get out of here, Dom.” I turned to look at him. Focused on his handsome face to the exclusion of the horrifying room around me.
The corners of his eyes pinched. “You can’t, babe. Not yet. We’re still waiting for someone to read your CT. The huge lump on the back of your head was a scalp hematoma. Rafe says you’re fine from that one for now. They did some drainage to help reduce the swelling on that part.” His mouth firmed as his dark eyes blazed. “He’s not coming in here. I swear to you, he won’t get anywhere near you. But we can’t treat this at home.” He reached out for my hand, sandwiched it in between his larger palms.
They didn’t understand. And I still couldn’t bring myself to tell them everything that he’d done to me. Hell, I still didn’t know everything he’d done to my body. So all of us were left with half-answers and more questions.
I closed my eyes as reality set in. I was stuck here. Vulnerable—in so many more ways than one. I pushed aside the terror, put on a brave face. I shot Dom a smile. “Well, as long as one of you gets to stay, at least I’ll have some nice scenery.”
He laughed because that’s what I needed him to do. It didn’t reach his eyes and his smile was more upside down than right side up. He perched his hip on the bed next to mine. “We’ll be here, Willow. I swear to you. Amatucci promise.”
My eyes widened. Oh shit. I shook my head. Winced as I rolled over the bruise on my skull. “I don’t need that. Your word is good to me, Dom. I know nothing will get to me if you say it won’t.”
He leaned down, brushed his lips over my cheek. His skin was warm and his lips soft. “You wouldn’t be here, the literal place of your nightmares, if it wasn’t for something that happened in our club. We take care of our own, Will. You know that. And you’re one of ours.”
He lifted his head so he could look into my eyes. The space between us warmed with our shared breath in the close space. “You’re one of mine. And I’ll end anyone who tries to hurt you.” He brushed his lips over mine in the sweetest, softest kiss I’d ever received.
My lips started to tremble. My belly dropped away, leaving nausea in its place. I pulled back after a moment. My heart tripped in my chest, the machine giving me away. I could feel the tears building, that deep aching burn that proved my cowardice.
It ridiculed me even as it provided sanctuary. I opened my eyes to watch him. To torture myself with what could be.
He sighed, his eyes closed as he seemed to fight with himself. When he opened them again, he settled back a few more inches. Fathomless love showed in his gaze, melted the dark chocolate depths. “One day, Will. I’ll wait for you forever.”
The desire on his face broke my heart. Lashed my insides with guilt. I could never