Wicked Healing

by Madden, J. M.

  Wicked jumped down out of the vehicle, looking sleek and lean, healthy, like he’d never even been injured. He spotted Luca immediately and before Erin could prepare herself he launched away from her, leash snapping in the breeze as he pounded as fast as he could down the sidewalk.

  “Oh, shit,” Luca murmured, but he braced, hoping he could take Boss’s weight. He dropped the cane because he knew he would need two hands. He would catch him.

  Nope, he couldn’t. In seconds he was sprawled breathless on the grass, trying to fight off a Maligator intent on licking him to death. Wicked whined constantly, as if telling him everything that had gone on in the weeks they’d been apart, and Luca loved it. The two of them had been inseparable for years, then suddenly apart for almost two months, and they’d both suffered for it. Luca tried to wipe his eyes free of tears to greet Erin like a polite guy should, but she just smiled at them and waved, giving them time to reconnect as she left to park the car. That she trusted him enough to take care of the dog, even though he’d just gone sprawling, was the most precious thing anyone had given him since he’d been injured. And she allowed him time to get through the emotions he needed to. He was a damned Navy SEAL for God’s sake, he reminded himself as he wiped his face.

  They were sitting together in the scratchy grass, playing, when Erin returned, so she sat down with them.

  “It’s a true pleasure to meet you, Luca.”

  Luca shook her hand when she held it out, and he was a little gobsmacked. She was one of those girls that probably thought they were plain, with the end of her ponytail hanging to her shoulders. Her eyes were the most amazing shade of amber, and they were smiling. She wore makeup, but not a lot, and she was dressed for a long drive. Faded blue jeans, tennis shoes and a decorative t-shirt with some kind of stylized dog logo on the left chest that really highlighted her breasts. Oh, that was her kennel logo. He felt a little stupid not recognizing it.

  “I feel like I know you,” she said softly, leaning forward to wrap her arms around his neck.

  Luca returned the hug, trying not to get too emotional. Whether she realized it or not, this woman had saved his life. She drew back and he dropped his gaze, hoping she didn’t see the vulnerability he was feeling.

  Wicked took a second to nose her, as if in thanks, then he curled back up against Luca, making him groan a little. Now that he’d had a second to catch his breath he realized how much it hurt to catch his breath. Had he reinjured himself? Or was it just the way he’d landed on old injuries?

  “You okay?” Erin asked, looking at him carefully.

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” he said, waving a hand. It was uncomfortable for him to be looked at like that. Before the injury he’d had the confidence to talk to a girl like this, but that seemed like eons ago. He was a scarred-up mess now. Most of it was covered under clothing, granted, but the stuff on his face couldn’t be hidden. Physically, he looked like Frankenstein’s little brother, with all the scarring on his cheek and neck, and part of his right eyebrow gone, but he forced himself to meet her gaze. His right bicep had had a chunk taken out of it as well, and it was visible beneath the sleeve of his T. The surgery to get the shrapnel out had left more of a mess than the piece itself, but he wasn’t going to bitch. It was still usable, though incredibly painful.

  Erin was grinning at the two of them. “Do you mind?” she asked, pulling out her phone as if she wanted to take a picture. “My mother isn’t going to believe this if I don’t show her.”

  Luca expected her to just take the picture but she hesitated, her expression truly asking if he minded. He’d gotten so used to doctors and nurses asking rhetorical questions like that then doing whatever they’d planned on to begin with that he didn’t even know why they asked.

  “I don’t mind,” Luca said eventually, and Erin snapped a couple of pictures as they played and reacquainted themselves.

  It didn’t matter anyway. Wicked was what was important. Eventually the dog settled down into the grass, content to be with Luca. And it was the most relaxed Luca could remember being for years. His Boss was back.

  At some point they settled back into the shade of a tree, the manicured grass soft beneath them. The silence was nice. Erin seemed to understand that they needed the quiet time to reconnect so she fiddled on her phone. Luca didn’t think he slept, but they must have dozed off a little because Erin eventually prodded his arm. “Luca. Trouble on the horizon.”

  He jerked, stunned at how foggy his brain was. Wicked was perched over his hips, ears alert. It was obvious the dog had been guarding him, and Luca had finally slept better than he had since he’d been injured. Obviously his subconscious had recognized that his battle buddy would watch over him.

  A low growl rumbled through the dog’s chest and Luca ordered him to stop. There could be no screw-ups with this visit. Wicked was proving that he could be here in the hospital, and Luca was supposed to support him— not fall asleep on the job.

  His mother, who was supposed to be in Malibu, was plowing down the sidewalk toward them, her high heels snapping. She was flanked by two security guards and there was determination in her eyes. He could already hear in his mind what she was going to say. ‘You were supposed to be in your room, Luca. Why is this damn dog here?’

  He needed to be on his feet when he faced her, not sitting on the ground in front of her like a child. How the fuck did he get up, though? The orderlies were always there when he got stuck, and he had nothing to brace against out here in the grass other than the tree. He hadn’t planned on going down. The cane wouldn’t be enough to support him, assuming he could even find the damn thing. It was nowhere in the grass close.

  Erin quietly came to his rescue. She moved to stand on front of him, stance squared, and held her hands out. Luca hoped she could do this, otherwise it would be extremely humiliating. Clasping her forearms with his, he allowed her to lever him vertical, stumbling into her a little as he gained his footing. She stood solid, though, even planting her hands on his hips to steady him.

  For a crazy moment, as he looked down into her eyes, he forgot about his mother storming down the sidewalk toward him. Erin’s head was chin level to him, and he wanted to pull her close.

  Then she took a step back and gave him a speaking look, her amber eyes concerned. Surreptitiously she fitted the cane into his hand. “You solid?”

  “Yes.”

  Turning, with Wicked at his side in the down position, he faced his mother. He drew in as much air as he could into his aching lungs and plastered a sardonic smile on his face. “What a nice surprise, Mom. Didn’t know you were coming today.”

  She stopped in front of him, pale hands wrapped around her expensive purse. “Why is that animal here, James Luca Carmichael? I made arrangements for him to be cared for somewhere else.”

  Erin stepped toward his mother, smiling broadly. “Mrs. Carmichael, my name is Erin Knox. I’ve been the one fostering Wicked while your son was recovering.”

  His mother stared at Erin’s outstretched hand like it was covered in dog shit and she made no move to take it. She clutched her purse even tighter and lifted her gaze to Erin. “Why on earth would you bring that animal here? It’s a danger to the public.”

  Erin drew her hand back and planted them on her hips, pointedly looking down at Wicked before lifting her gaze back to his mother. “I think you’re a little misinformed.”

  Leona motioned to the security guards. “When you weren’t in your room I had these gentlemen look at the security footage to find you. We saw the dog knock you down, Luca.”

  His anger was building, and he didn’t want to say anything he would regret. “I’m not going to deny it. He was glad to see me. Just as glad as I was to see him. Why are you here, Mother?”

  She crossed her arms over her chest and for the first time looked a little uncomfortable. Luca looked around, wondering where his calm-headed father was. Dad didn’t have any problem with Wicked, as far as Luca knew.

  “I called in to check on y
ou and the floor manager, Susan, said that you’d been out of your room for hours. When I asked where you’d gone she told me that you were reuniting with your K9. The same K9 that got you into this position. I had to come down.”

  Luca scowled. Several things there needed to be addressed, but he would hit the most pertinent first. “Wicked didn’t lead me into danger. I walked into it myself, and he tried to stop me, but I didn’t listen quickly enough and we both paid for it.”

  She shook her head stubbornly. “That’s not how I see it.”

  “Well, it doesn’t matter how you see it,” he snapped. “You weren’t there in that hellhole with us. He’s my partner. Period. He’s saved my life more times than I can tell you.”

  Luca hated speaking harshly to his mother, but for some reason she was being incredibly obstinate about the entire situation. As he looked at her, he could tell that his words had shocked her, but he was tired of her being so difficult. “You’d better get used to him, Mom, because he’s going to be with me. End of story.”

  Her eyes filled with tears and he really felt like shit. He couldn’t even remember the last time they’d butted heads like this. “Where is Dad?”

  She lifted her head proudly. “Golfing, with his buddies.”

  “Dad doesn’t even know you drove through LA to get here? Did you call him at least?”

  Looking uncomfortable, she shook her head. “I left him a note.”

  Which he wouldn’t find for several hours. Luca stared, shocked at his mother’s actions. His parents were inseparable. They’d been married for as long as he could remember. It had taken them several years to get pregnant with him, and they’d never been able to have another child, so they’d only had each other to rely on for years. They’d worked together, both realtors at her father’s firm, and had retired at the same time about three years ago, selling the business to a partner.

  Since then they’d been even more inseparable, traveling the world and making the most of their retirement. Luca felt a little guilty because his injury had forced them to return from a European cruise. He’d needed them for a while and his mother had been ecstatic, completely in her element caring for her son. But he was almost recovered now, and he thought she might be struggling with letting him go all over again.

  To a dog, no less.

  Heaving a sigh, he looked down at Boss. The dog was already looking at him, waiting for some direction. Even with the amputation the dog seemed ready for anything, exactly as a SEAL should be.

  Luca limped forward and rested a hand on her shoulder. “Mom, call Dad now, before he sends out the National Guard looking for you. Then let’s have a coffee.”

  She stared at him for a long moment, then nodded. Opening her purse she searched for her cell phone and put it to her ear.

  Luca turned to look at Erin, sorry that she had to witness the family drama, but she gave him a calm smile. “If you want I can go get you a couple cups of coffee. Why don’t you check out the bench over there.”

  Following the line of her finger, he spotted a little shaded bench area. “You don’t have to do that.”

  She waved a hand. “It’s no big deal. If you stay out here you can make her spend time with Wicked.”

  Yes, true. The woman turned and headed toward the front door of the hospital, legs swinging in a loose stride. Luca smiled slightly, totally appreciating the view. Once she disappeared inside, he ordered Wicked to heel and walked to the bench, motioning to his mother. She waved in acknowledgement then turned to continue talking to his father.

  This was such a fucked-up situation.

  Chapter 5

  Erin grabbed two cups of coffee for the Carmichaels, then headed back toward the entrance. She’d gotten herself a sweet tea, sucking it down greedily. She’d stopped a couple of times on the way out and she knew to always hydrate, but she was still thirsty. Or maybe she was just a little defensive and nervous and needed something to do with her hands.

  The relationship between Luca and his mother had issues. Understatement of the year… duh. Luca didn’t seem the type to roll over and take her abuse though, so it was a little curious.

  In person, the guy was heartbreakingly handsome, with thick black hair and sooty-lashed eyes almost as dark. He was one of those guys that you could almost envision the little boy he’d been, grinning and dirty, full of spunk. Life had been hard on him recently though. There were lines on his face and down his cheeks, visible even through the scars. Thick black beard stubble covered the lower left half of his face, although there were a few spots where bare, angry red skin peeked through the stubble. The right side of his jaw was bright red, with no stubble. Healing burns, it looked like. His right eyebrow looked like it had been chopped in half by injury. There were more burns down into the collar of his soft t-shirt, and obviously the leg amputation. She couldn’t see the prosthetic beneath his sweatpants but she could tell which leg it was by the way he walked and stood. Plus, it was the same side as Wicked.

  Physically, though, he looked strong. Not too tall but nice and broad, once muscular. He was a little gaunt, and she could tell he’d been injured, but that he was also recovering. His forearms were corded with muscle and skin tanned. If his family was from the west coast it stood to reason that he would have good color. And he seemed to have that laid-back vibe, a little. Just not right now because his mother was here.

  When she walked out to the bench, the two of them were sitting together but they weren’t really talking. The tension was so thick she could almost see it shimmering between them.

  Luca met her eyes and her heart ached for him. She didn’t know whether to stay or go.

  Erin held the cupholder out, allowing them to take the coffee from her. She almost turned to leave but Luca met her gaze again.

  “Any issues driving out?”

  Erin thought he’d already asked her that but she didn’t correct him. “Not really. A rainstorm through the mountains.”

  “At least it wasn’t snow.”

  “True,” she agreed, cocking a hip out. “It was worth it to get here, though,” she said, tipping her head up to the breezy sky.

  Luca looked around, taking notice of the area. “Yes, it is pretty. I haven’t been out much.”

  “And who’s fault is that?” his mother groused.

  Ugh…

  Erin watched as Luca turned to his mother, a curiously distant expression on his face. “What’s your issue, Mom? Why are you behaving this way?”

  The woman’s lips clamped shut and Erin felt bad for her. If she thought she could escape she would, but Luca obviously wanted her to stay. In desperation she drew out her phone and turned away just a little to give them privacy as she surfed through her notifications. Mom had texted her so she responded to her, then scrolled through Instagram a bit. Anything to not participate in the drama going on behind her.

  “This is a private conversation between you and I,” Leona hissed.

  “Mom,” he said, sighing. “I’ve spoken to Erin exactly three times, and exchanged a handful of emails, but in that time I can tell you that she has shown me more true care and concern for Wicked than I can ever remember seeing from you.”

  Oh, damn. That was going to hurt.

  Leona gasped and went silent.

  Luca was agitated, and she honestly didn’t blame him. Yes, he’d been hurt, but his mother acted like he was on death’s door or something. She would be chafing as well. When she started speaking again it sounded like his mother expected him to come to her house when he got out of the rehab facility. Luca was definitely not feeling it.

  “There’s no fucking way,” he growled.

  “There’s no need to curse at me, Luca.”

  “Mom,” he sighed. “I love you.”

  Then her name was called.

  Luca was pushing to his feet. “It’s time to go, Erin. Boss, k noze.”

  Then he was striding down the sidewalk, the dog at his heels. With a final glance at his glowering mother, Erin followe
d along behind. She hadn’t known the guy long, but she could totally understand why he was so pissed.

  She wanted to reach out and wrap her arm through his in solidarity, which was a bit of an odd reaction for her. Normally she was happy as a clam in her single life, relying on her dogs and horses and family for companionship. Other than school friends she didn’t have a lot of interaction with the public, in spite of a couple of diehard girlfriends that demanded she go out every once in a while. When she’d taken this job she’d had sympathy for the dog and handler, but now that she’d met Luca she felt it even more sharply. As well as a strong protective instinct.

  They walked into the facility and Luca led her to an elevator. They received a few glances but overall no one cared that there was a leashed dog in the hallway. She had called ahead of time and received approval from the hospital director to bring Wicked in. Even he’d been surprised to learn that the animal was alive and he’d been more than happy to accommodate them.

  “The dog can’t stay with him but I have no doubt that seeing his partner will help Luca’s disposition. Please let me know when you arrive. I’d like to meet him.”

  She didn’t need to call, though. When they arrived at the floor and she followed Luca out, he was greeted by a group of nurses and orderlies. There were smiles and congratulations all around and she worried how Wicked would react to the crowd, but everyone was very respectful to the dog’s space. It wasn’t until Luca introduced him that a few of the people held their hands out to the animal. Wicked sniffed everyone, then accepted a few pets of his own. The change in the animal was amazing. Suddenly, being with Luca gave him the confidence he’d lost when they’d been separated. And it was a confidence she hadn’t been able to instill in him. Luca and Wicked had a longer, more vital history.