by VR Baucke
Lil winced as a small smile tugged her lips, and she placed a hand over mine where it cupped her face.
“You really are a real-life Batman.”
“I thought Batman didn’t rock a beard? Or an eyebrow piercing for that matter.”
What I thought was an attempt to laugh sounded in her throat. “Well, apparently, this Batman does. Thank you,” she whispered then downcast her eyes. “Gage, about yesterday, I’m so sorry, I really didn’t mean to...”
I cut her off by whispering into her ear. “It’s not you who should be apologising, Sunshine. Don’t even think that for a second. I’m the one who should be sorry, and trust me, I am. I wasn’t ready to tell you the real reason I moved here, but that didn’t mean I had to keep my reason for going back to Tauranga a secret. But that’s a story for another day. Once we have you sorted, I’ll tell you the full story, I promise.”
She nodded and sighed, deflating against my chest and closing her heavy eyelids.
There was no coming back from what I felt for Lil. I knew I loved her with all my heart, I just hadn’t voiced it enough. Second chances didn’t come along often in life, not ones like Lil anyway. After the terror of last night’s ordeal, I had to let her know exactly how I felt about her. I wanted to be her goddamn hero for the rest of her life.
“I love you, Lily. You mean the entire world to me.”
She gasped and when her eyes hit mine again, they shone with renewed intensity through the disbelief. Her chin quivered as my unexpected confession sank in.
“You can’t be serious, look at the state of me!”
I leaned closer, cocking a brow as if I was letting her in on my own little secret – which I was. “Trust me, babe, you could look a whole lot worse and you’d still own my heart and soul.”
Renewed tears tumbled down her cheeks. The silence between us drew out while I held her protectively yet as gently as I possibly could.
Her whisper spoke the words I once swore I would never allow myself to hear again. “I love you too, Gage.”
“Fuck, Lil. I thought I’d lost you, beautiful.” My voice broke. “I thought I’d fucking lost everything all over again.”
Mace pulled up then dropped the tailgate on my ute while Mickey continued his phone conversation with his father.
“Bring her out here, cuz.”
I stood and easily lifted Lil into my arms, transporting her into the dawn of the new day. Last time I had carried her, she was clinging to me and tearing at my clothes. This time she was barely able to keep her eyelids open and her arms against her chest.
I sat sideways on the tailgate with Lil while Mace unfolded blankets. On request, Lil lifted her arms so he could wrap them around her and I tucked them between us to make her as warm as possible. Her body trembled violently and I knew we had to work fast. Thank fuck for Mickey’s experience in emergency services; his first aid certificate was up to date and he always carried a huge medical kit in his ute.
Without a word being exchanged, Mickey pocketed his phone and tugged open the kit then set about carefully cleansing her wounds. Mace disappeared as I soothed Lil as best I could despite feeling utterly inadequate when she whimpered in pain. After applying an antiseptic, Mickey gently wrapped her arms with large sterile dressings. He finished by winding crepe bandages around the pads to keep them in place then packed away the kit.
“Need help getting her into the cab?”
“Nope.” I slid out from behind Lil and stood in front of her.
Mickey opened the passenger door of his ute and I stopped in my tracks.
“We go in mine, with Mace.”
“No, she goes with me.”
I rolled my eyes. Here we go; we’re going to have a battle of wills over this. I was protective as hell right now, as well as absurdly possessive, but I didn’t want to get into a verbal disagreement with the guy in this instance.
“You’ve got shit all over the backseat. There won’t be room for you both in there.” Mickey explained slowly as if I was thick.
“And we both won’t fit in yours.”
He glared, nostrils flaring, letting me know that he was pissed. I glared back just as hard, neither of us willing to give in. Finally, he huffed and stalked over to where I still stood between Lil’s legs. I scowled as he pulled the rear door open and shoved all the shit off the back seat of my ute. He stepped back and left the door wide.
“We’ll go in yours, Mace can drive mine back.”
Keeping my mouth shut, I helped Lil into the back seat then wrapped her in the blankets once more. Shutting her inside the cab, I turned to Mickey.
“Go inside and help Mace with whatever he’s doing. I’ll wait with Lil.”
Mickey took my hint and cracked his knuckles. “Don’t need to ask me twice.”
I rounded the vehicle and slid into the backseat next to Lil. Mickey was right; I had shit for Africa in here. I focused on finding leg room so I didn’t need to face the dilemma of not knowing where I could safely touch Lil.
As if she sensed my hesitation, she reached for my hand and guided it around her waist. Fuck, it felt good to hold her; especially after fearing that I would never get another chance to feel her heart beating under my palm again. I bit the inside of my cheek, willing the wad of emotion away. My attention was drawn back to Lil squirming against me.
“You okay down there, Sunshine?”
“No, not really.” She sounded embarrassed.
Alarm coursed through me. “Lil?”
“I just really need the bathroom. I’ve been holding for hours and my bladder is seriously about to burst.”
“Should have put you in your brother’s ute then, eh?” I chuckled a little. It made my heart soar when she also let out a small snicker. “I’ll help you,” I stated as I slid from the cab.
“No! There’s no way in hell you’re watching me pee.”
“Dammit, Lil, I ain’t gonna watch. You need help, so I’ll be helping.”
She yielded easily, and it quickly became apparent that she would need my help after all. After assisting her without a single word passing between us, I carried her back to the ute.
Mace and Mickey appeared from the hangar, strolling towards us like their business was completed for the day.
Mace made a beeline for Lil and engulfed her in an enormous bear hug. She seemed so much smaller and fragile in his arms; not that her frame is tiny, but Mace is one hell of a tank. His tenderness towards her in the moment threw me. There was a deep connection between them that was hard for me to witness.
My hand itched to smack his away when he smoothed down her hair and tenderly brushed his fingers across her jaw. Lil nodded in response to his soft murmur, then accepted his help into the backseat.
After he clicked the door shut, I flicked a thumb over my shoulder. “So, what’s the deal in there?”
“Bastard is tied to the chair and gagged, waiting for the Police to arrive. It’s time for us to get the hell out of here,” Mickey snapped, tossing his keys at Mace.
“I hope you served him dessert,” I growled.
Mickey’s reply was vague yet left little to the imagination, and it made the dark side of me very happy indeed.
Lil’s knock on the window got our attention. Mace re-opened the rear door and stuck his head into the cab with concern deep on his features.
“Lil Bean?”
“I’m okay, Mace. Just, before we go… Do you have my phone?”
He nodded and rummaged through her bag. With it in hand, he waited for instructions.
“Can you please ring a doctor friend of mine? I don’t want to be taken to A&E, but need these wounds checked, and probably stitched, when we get back to Mum and Dad’s.”
Mace flicked his thumb over the screen. “What’s his name?”
Lil scoffed and rolled her eyes at his assumption that it was a male doctor.
“Her name is Jess. Doctor Jess Rivers.”
THIRTY-EIGHT
LIL
TH
E JOURNEY BACK to my parent’s house was a pain-induced blur. Each time I stirred, I found myself safely embraced in Gage’s arms and the sense of protection lulled me back into slumber. He held me like I was the most precious thing in the entire world. It was exactly what I needed, and wanted.
When Gage told me he loved me the first time I wanted to squeal with excitement. The second time, this morning, I wanted to cry so hard. I was overwhelmed and crushed, and his confession hit my tender heart with full force.
I was nervous to learn about his past; I already knew it wasn’t great, but his admission about losing everything all over again was hard to ignore. To be honest, it troubled me deeply.
Now, lying in my childhood bed, propped up by pillows, I watched Mum flap about like a hysterical canary, making sure I wasn’t too hot or too cold. When she wasn’t fussing, she was trying to force copious amounts of herbal tea down my throat. Mum was pretty lax, but when it came to one of her babies being sick or hurt, her over-protectiveness made you want to get better pretty darn quick.
Mace relayed the events of last night to Dad, Kimmie and Trav. It was the most distressed I had ever seen Trav. When he sat on the edge of my bed and hugged me for minutes afterwards, I realised just how worried he’d been for me. Thankfully Kimmie had stopped clutching at my waist while crying in borderline hysteria. She only calmed down after Mickey pulled her into him and spread his big hand over her head, holding her tight against his chest. He wouldn’t admit it out loud, but I knew he loved her.
Dad and Mace were murmuring in the kitchen—no doubt making further plans, and Gage sat on the side of my bed like a loyal guard dog. In the aftermath of my ordeal, I felt completely overwhelmed by their love, and also a little claustrophobic at the amount of people around me. Enough was enough—I needed something stronger than scuzzy herbal tea!
“Dad!” I yelled then waited a couple of seconds.
His footsteps came closer and he appeared in the doorway with a raised brow. “What can I do for you, bud?”
“I’m in desperate need of something a little stronger.” I held up my teacup in disdain.
Dad chuckled quietly. “What’s your poison?”
“Whisky, please.”
Mum tried to exercise what was left of her parental authority. “Matt! No, Lily, you are not having alcohol, of all things,” she tutted.
“Yeah, I am. Everyone else is having some and I’m stuck with tea that smells like swamp water.”
I pointedly flicked my eyes over everyone in attendance to highlight the fact that they all, indeed, had amber liquid in a crystal tumbler cradled in their fingers. Well, all apart from Mum—and I’m sure Kimmie had vodka in that orange juice of hers—but that was beside the point.
Mum came at me with the teapot. “It’s restorative tea, hon. It’s good for shock.”
“So is whisky, that’s why the Scots use it. Dad!”
I peered past the stupid green teapot Mum hovered in-front of me and silently begged at him. He gave a wink before he disappeared.
Whoever said it was too early for drinking at nine in the morning had never been sliced up like salami during the night. I couldn’t wait for Jess to get here and administer some harder pain meds; the paracetamol wasn’t taking the edge off the throbbing at all. Unfortunately, Mum wasn’t letting the tea go cold, so to speak.
“You can have whisky after you finish that cup of herbal.”
I couldn’t hold back the shudder and knew that the tea got nastier the colder it became. On a deep breath, I raised it towards my lips, mentally preparing myself to down it as quickly as possible.
Gage, bless him, came to my rescue, yet again. Once Mum departed the room, he plucked the mug from my hand and quickly tossed it down his throat before she returned.
He grimaced. “Je-sus! I see what you mean.”
I couldn’t help the giggle behind my lips when he shuddered in revolt.
Gage spread his forefinger and middle finger to point at Mickey and Kimmie where they leaned against my dresser, grinning at us.
“If she comes back with more, you both have to take one for the team.” Gage then muttered something about ‘death juice’ as someone knocked on the front door.
“Oh, that’ll be Jess.” I sat up straighter in bed, smoothing down the duvet, suddenly clammy and nervous.
Despite Jess having seen medical emergencies far worse than mine, I was anxious about her reaction. I was a friend and colleague, not a stranger seeking help from someone viewed as a miracle worker. From what Mace had told me of their phone call, Jess roughly knew what to expect.
Gage took my hand and squeezed, adding a small smile when I pursed my lips together. His smile was meant to reassure me, but it was belied by the turmoil swirling in his dark eyes. There I saw great concern.
Introductions were being exchanged at the front door as I heard Dad welcoming Jess then Mum leading her my way.
“Oh, Lil, honey!” Jess exclaimed the moment she stepped into my room and her eyes found me.
She hurried to my side with a medical bag slung over her shoulder, already exuding the confidence and command of a competent medical professional. Only I knew that she would have recently rolled out of bed—always leaving it until the very last minute—chucked on a pair of leggings and an oversized knitted sweater, then shoved her long blonde hair up into a messy bun on the top of her head. And, damn her eyes, she still looked absolutely gorgeous!
Dumping the med kit on the floor at her feet, Jess bent down to hug me and I got a whiff of her perfume.
Gingerly returning her squeeze, I snickered, “Are you wearing makeup and perfume?”
“You know I don’t go anywhere without at least mascara and bronzer on, ever,” she whispered into my ear.
Pulling back, she glanced around the room. Time for more introductions. I gestured towards Gage.
“Jess, this is Gage, my um...”
“Boyfriend,” he finished for me and stood to shake her hand. “Thanks so much for coming out this early.”
She smiled back and set her hand in his. “Not a problem. It’s nice to meet you finally—despite the circumstances, obviously.”
Jess turned to me and cocked a brow, giving me a ‘dayum’ look of approval at finally seeing Gage in the flesh. Grinning when I glared in warning, she spun back to Gage.
“So, you’re the infamous Batman, huh?”
Gage snorted then shrugged. “Can’t help if the ladies think that.”
Rolling my eyes and scoffing at his ridiculous claim, I directed Jess’ attention to Kimmie and Mickey across the room.
“That’s Kimmie, my bestie, and my brother, Mickey. Or Josh. Basically call him whatever you like, he answers to anything.”
He scoffed before saying hi.
“Hey guys,” Jess replied to their greetings then turned back to me.
Jess gave me the once over without speaking, visually assessing my face without touching the swelling. Mickey watched her every move. I knew what he was doing; evaluating the way she worked to make sure she was doing it correctly. All attention was on Jess’ movements until Mace appeared in the doorway. The glass of whisky in his hand was all but forgotten when he clapped sight on Jess. His eyes flared as his jaw dropped slightly. I’d never seen him react to a female like that before and was completely gobsmacked when he drank Jess in like the fine piece of ass she was.
“Mace.” I hissed.
He gave a small jerk as he snapped out of his stupor. He slid on a mask of cool when Jess looked over her shoulder at him. My brows rose on their own accord when Jess’ movements halted for the barest of moments before resuming. Anyone else would have missed her falter, but I sure as hell didn’t.
“Mace, this is Jess. I work with her in A&E. Mace was the one who rang you earlier,” I explained to Jess after seeing a slight perplexed look pass over her face.
Mickey zinged in my head.
“Sorry to wake you,” Mace said lightly while openly skipping his gaze over her curves.
“Honestly, don’t worry about it.” Jess waved her hand in dismissal. “I’m used to getting woken all hours when I’m on call. Just another day at the office,” she added nonchalantly then turned back to me. “Right, hon, let’s take a look at these arms.”
“Let me get that under my belt first.” I beckoned Mace, reminding him of the glass he held for me.
He stepped forward and planted a hand on the bed as he reached across to hand me the whisky. My fingers touched his and held until he snapped his eyes up to meet mine. There, I openly smirked then all out grinned when Mace’s bright blue eyes flashed me a silent warning to not say a damn thing. Yeah, exactly what I thought; he fancied her—and I got the impression the feeling was mutual.
I released Mace’s fingers and tilted the tumbler to my lips, hissing down two small swigs then handing the glass off to Gage. Only once I had caught my breath did I hold out my arms for Jess to start unwrapping them.
It stung as she peeled the sterile pads away from the dried blood, making my eyes water. Jess examined both arms briefly then rattled off a string of commands to Gage and Mace. I couldn’t help but snigger to myself as they listened carefully, both standing with their legs slightly apart, arms crossed over their chest, shoulders back, and drawn to full height. The only difference was the reverse of what I usually saw; Gage was smugly grinning and Mace had his jaw set in utmost seriousness. Gage shot me a look before he followed Mace from the room, and Mickey immediately strode after them.
“Bitch, where have you been hiding him, you sneaky hold out!” Jess hissed and widened her eyes at me as soon as the guys were out of ear shot.
“Who? Gage?”
“Ha-ha. Although, he’s hot, don’t get me wrong. I’m talking about Mace. Holy shitballs, he’s next level hot!” Jess’ big brown doe eyes stared up at me from where she knelt at the medical bag.
Kimmie and I shared a giggle. “I’ve talked about him before, he’s not a secret at all. I think he likes you though, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him listen to commands the first time without making some kind of comment or joke.”