Claiming Her - Tory Baker Page 0,27

feel better if she got checked out at the hospital,” I state as I slide in the back with Taylor in my arms.

“Travis Adam Daniels, what were you thinking coming home and not telling me?” she chastises from the backseat even though she’s groggy.

“What is up with her using middle names. Not to mention, how the hell did you get mine?” I ask her.

“Why don’t you ask Travis?” she pouts.

“Figures,” I grouse.

“I didn’t have much time. I still don’t. Wheels are back up in twenty-four hours. It’s best that we get the story straight that Bridger is telling the cops, so when they come and question you, we’re all on the same page,” Travis states, but he’s detached. Taylor hasn’t seen this side of him, and I know for a fact he never wanted her to see this side, but when you’re a trained sniper for the Navy Seals, you do what you have to. We get our story nailed down, and I can see Travis’ anger simmering on the edge, something I know I’ll have to deal with soon.

Eighteen

Taylor

“I can’t believe you brought me to the emergency room. I’m okay, Slade.” My body was trembling when we got here, which I’m sure was me coming down from the adrenaline rush, but Slade wasn’t having any of it.

“Do it to appease me, at least?” He rubs his hand down his face. Slade barged his way back in here with me, not even giving me a chance to plead my case. I take another look at him. The stress from today has aged him ten years in a matter of minutes.

“All right.” I nod my head in consent. I wonder where Travis went. The look on his face was like nothing I had ever seen.

“Is Travis okay?” My voice is weak. I’m not sure if it’s because I think he’s upset with us, or if it’s because he had to come home to help take care of a threat and lose time from his platoon.

“Yeah, Trouble, he’s okay. He just needs to calm down. Hell, I feel every bit of my thirty-two years right about now.” Slade comes to stand beside me while I’m lying in a hospital bed.

“I’m sorry, Slade. I’m so sorry you guys had to go through all of this.” Tears are gliding down my cheeks.

“Oh, Taylor, none of that. You did exactly what you should have, calling and texting. It helped Easton locate you sooner than if you hadn’t. If anyone should be sorry, it should be me.” His hip finds the edge of the bed, and feeling the heat radiating off of him gives me the calmness I need in this storm that has been our life today.

“Okay.”

Slade dries my tears that were running down my cheeks. He kisses me lightly. I’m seeking more when a throat clears, letting us know someone’s in the room with us.

“I swear if that is Travis, I’m hiding under the covers,” I whisper to Slade, not opening my eyes until I know who is in my room.

“You can open your eyes. It’s the doctor,” he says with a laugh. I open my eyes and watch as he gets off the bed and stands at his full height. Slade is a sight to behold. The way he stands says he’s ready for battle, but it also lets me know I’m safe with him. What happened today wasn’t anyone’s fault besides Eric’s. His five o’clock shadow is on full display, dark circles under his eyes mar his beautiful tanned skin, and his jaw ticks. The doctor looks me up and down, appraising my scrapes and the nice bruise on my forehead I’m sure is forming there.

“Hello, Miss. Daniels. I’m Doctor Pioneer. How are you feeling?” He offers his hand to shake, and I extend my hand to his, all the while hearing a growl coming from the man standing protectively at my right.

“Slade,” I murmur under my breath. “I’m good, ready to get home and in my own bed. No offense.”

“None taken, not a whole lot of people like being here. I’ll just look at your eyes and check you out, but from what the nurse said, you have no signs or symptoms of a concussion. That being said, I’d still like you to be watched throughout the night, just in case anything arises,” he states, looking at Slade.

“Not a problem.” Slade’s voice is stoic, and I have a feeling he is going to take watching over me to the utmost extreme.

Doctor