Patriot (Hades Abyss MC 6) - Harley Wylde Page 0,49
back in his cage.”
I smiled, remembering how even Hatter had tried to save MaryAnne. Hatter, Archimedes, and Rascal all going after Blaire had ensured their place in our home forever. Of course, I’d already planned to keep them, but they’d more than earned a spot in the family.
“There’s some containers in the fridge with fruits and veggies. Cut up a little of each for Hatter and give him a handful of his bird food. You’ll have to wash his bowls each morning too.”
“Where do you keep the cat food and dog food?” he asked. “And the bird food.”
“Everything is in the bottom cabinet near Hatter’s cage. Archimedes is used to going out every morning, at least once during the day, and again before I head to bed at night. If I had a fenced yard, you could leave him out for a bit. It’s cold but not cold enough he couldn’t run around for an hour.”
“Don’t worry about your furred and feathered family members. We’ll see they have everything they need,” Riley said.
“They saved me,” MaryAnne said. “They attacked Blaire.”
Riley grinned wide. “Then they deserve the very best. I’ll get extra treats for them. I don’t want to tire you out, and I’m sure your man over there would rather have you to himself. Y’all call or text if you need anything.”
Riley waved and headed out. I finished my food and took MaryAnne’s hand again while we watched TV. Eventually, we both fell asleep. Didn’t help much. The nurses were in and out about every hour or two checking on her. I wasn’t sure who was crankier the next day. Me or her. Either way, I’d be glad when I could take her home. I fucking hated hospitals.
Chapter Twelve
MaryAnne
Eight miserable days of nurses constantly checking on me. My wound had bled through the stitches the first two days and set back my recovery, which meant more time in that horrible room. I knew they were doing their job and wanted me to heal. I wasn’t really upset with them, but the constant in and out at night when I’d tried to sleep had annoyed me after the first night. Not to mention the food was terrible. It didn’t have much of a taste, and I’d had to force myself to eat it. But now I was free!
A nurse wheeled me out to the truck. Patriot had pulled it up outside the hospital doors. I was more than ready to get out of this place. The doctor had been impressed with how well I was healing once they’d stopped the bleeding. I’d felt like telling him after all I’d been through, one little stab wound was no big deal.
Patriot lifted me into his arms and set me down on the passenger seat. He reached across and buckled me in before shutting the door. The nurse gave me a wave before heading back into the building. Patriot had Christmas music playing on the radio and I reached over to turn it up a little. Now that I was outside again, and no longer confined to the bed, I felt in the holiday spirit once more.
“Ready to go home?” Patriot asked as he got behind the wheel.
“So ready!”
He grinned and leaned over to kiss me. “Missed sleeping next to you, Little Bit.”
He wasn’t the only one. Even though he’d been in a recliner next to my hospital bed, it hadn’t been the same. Getting to hold his hand and having him wrap his arms around me were two very different things.
“Let’s go see what Archimedes, Rascal, and Hatter have been up to. I bet they’ll be happy to see you.”
“And you,” I said.
I sang along to the carols on the radio, feeling more like myself. My leg still hurt if I put weight on it, and I knew I couldn’t overdo it. But at least I’d get to go home. There was a huge difference in being in my own home, around my own things, with our furry family members, and being in the hospital on that hard bed with the smell of antiseptic burning my nose.
The gates to the compound opened and Shay waved as we pulled through. The clubhouse looked packed for the middle of the day and a strange feeling settled in my stomach when Patriot pulled into a spot out front of the building.
“I thought we were going home?” I asked.
“We are. Have to make one little stop. You can sit at a table and have a soda. I