“I have a surprise for you, courtesy of Rick.”
I watched as her brows drew together and a puzzled look appeared on her face. I gave the leash a small tug and said, “Come,” and Luke came from behind my legs. I bent down to unleash him as his body vibrated with energy as he took in his master’s form sitting in the bed.
Makenna’s eyes grew as big as saucers. She stretched her arms out and yelled, “Luke, come to me slowly.”
To my surprise, Luke gained control of himself and walked to her slowly with his tail swooshing back and forth in excitement and small whines coming from the back of his throat. His eyes seemed to hone in on the bandage, and his nose nudged where she’d been hurt.
“Yes, Luke. I was shot last night, but I’m okay.” She reached out to pet his head and give him a kiss on the nose, to which he instantly licked the side of her face, causing her to laugh. “I missed you, too, buddy, but I’ve got to change this first, then you can lie down next to me for a while.”
Luke sat on the floor at the side of the bed while I sat next to Kenna to assist her in changing the dressing. I pulled at the tape gently, but it didn’t come easily. She winced a little here and there as I loosened the side of the bandage she couldn’t easily reach. I feared I’d hurt her, and Luke seemed to agree, because he whined every time I tried to remove the tape. “I’m sorry, buddy. I promise I’m not trying to hurt your partner, but instead I’m trying to help her heal.”
“Dane used too much tape on this thing. I think he was afraid the bandage would fall off during the night,” Kenna mused, trying to make light of the situation.
“Should we just leave this thing on and wait to change it when the doctor comes? Won’t he have to remove it to take a look anyway?” I would’ve argued more, but Kenna insisted it had to be changed, pointing out how she’d already ruined one of my T-shirts and, as the spot grew larger, would probably soak through the sheets next.
I’d let her ruin a thousand shirts and my entire place just to assure her comfort. I didn’t care. My things were just that, items of no importance, while she meant everything in the world to me.
I watched as she slowly picked at the tape until the remaining half loosened. She reached into the medical kit and lined up a new roll of tape, some scissors, some antibiotic ointment, and a few squares of gauze for a new bandage.
She was methodical in the way she cut the tape, lining it up with the gauze and using much less than Dane had. “I need you to hold this for me while I remove the old dressing.”
Her movements were hypnotic. Makenna slowly peeled away the old bandage, showing a very angry area on her side. Dane had closed up the area the bullet had nicked, but the skin around the stitches looked red, puffy, and swollen. I reached out toward the wound and, without even touching it, could feel some heat radiating off it.
Makenna grabbed some antiseptic wipes and cleaned around the edge of the stitches where the blood and fluid had been oozing. She held her breath as she gently smoothed on topical medication before motioning for me to place the gauze back over the area. I tried to move as quickly and gently as possible but allowed her to press the bandage back into place.
Grabbing the discarded bandage, I disposed of it in the bathroom’s trash can. I grabbed another T-shirt for her to change into, and then turned my back to her for some added privacy.
“Thanks for your help, Marcus. You can turn back around now.”
Turning toward her, I could see she needed to ask me something. Her mouth opened and closed several times without a word. “What do you need? Ask anything of me, and it’s yours, love.”
“Could I get your assistance to go to the bathroom? I’m sure I can walk on my own, but the pain meds have me feeling a bit unbalanced right now.” Her voice sounded hesitant, and I noted she’d tried to get up on her own before asking for my help. Why did she have to be so damn stubborn?
“Sure, no problem. Just tell me what your needs are, and I’ll see to them.” As she explained where I needed to put my arms so I wouldn’t hurt her or put any additional stress on her wound, I bent down to offer assistance.
I walked her as far as the vanity, where she insisted she could manage the rest on her own.
“Okay. I’ll go downstairs to grab you something light to munch on. I’ll be right back, so wait for me.”
She didn’t respond but I headed downstairs regardless.
In the kitchen, I grabbed some orange juice and some toast with a light coating of butter. I noticed Kyle had unloaded Luke’s boxes and placed everything on the kitchen counter.
When I returned to the bedroom, she’d almost made it back to the bed, and Luke was by her side to help steady her. “Here, let me help you back into bed.”
I helped Makenna move into an upright position in bed, before placing a tray holding the toast and orange juice over her legs. “You probably need some sugar in your system, so I brought up some orange juice. I wasn’t sure what you’d like to eat, so I grabbed some toast for now and can fix anything you want.”
Makenna bit into the toast and moaned, causing my dick to stir. “I don’t know what you did to this bread, but it tastes heavenly.”
I was happy to see her eating and enjoying the food. If she only knew how the sight of her sitting in my bed, wearing my shirt, and moaning so seductively while eating toast was causing all the blood in my body to head southbound on the expressway to my cock.
Don’t go there, man. She’s injured and you’ve got five years of pent up sexual frustration. My subconscious was right. I needed to tend to Makenna’s needs to help her heal. But we also needed to broach the elephant in the room: was the pregnancy just an excuse to avoid me, or had Cassia been the one to force Makenna to run? And if so, why?
The last twenty-four hours had to have been either a dream or an effing nightmare. I couldn’t possibly be wearing his shirt and sharing the same bed with Marcus. Plus, having Luke here by my side, while I’m recovering. Everything I loved and despised was all in one room, causing me to feel overwhelmed and on the verge of a panic attack. I guess the hate part was a bit much, but I did dislike getting shot and the recovery period that now ensued.
Marcus left the room to get Luke’s water and food bowls. He’d asked me where he should put them and, truthfully, I didn’t know until he’d made the suggestion to put them just inside the bathroom so Luke could stay close to me.
I’d forgotten how Marcus had a weak spot for dogs. Sadly, his father never permitted his family to have one. Mr. Lombardi had always claimed they were too busy to deal with a pet of any kind, citing long work hours at the restaurants they owned, the kids being busy with school or moving away from home, and other excuses.
Luke jumped up on the bed with me, lying flush against my side so I couldn’t move. Unfortunately, we’d been through this before, and he knew I needed to stay as still as possible for a day or two.
His face lifted off my leg and looked back at me, watching me take a bite of toast. For a trained K-9 officer and service dog, he could still beg for food like a champion. I just couldn’t resist when his eyes got big as he shifted his gaze back and forth between the plate and my mouth right before I’d take a bite. You could almost hear him ask, “Are you going to give me a bite?” Instead, he whined.
“I see Luke’s already made himself at home.” Marcus’s voice caused both of us to jump. Ugh, I hated these damn pain pills. They messed with my reflexes and ability to hear and anticipate people at every turn.
Placing my hand over my heart and taking a deep breath in, I had to agree. “Sorry. I hope you don’t mind him getting into bed next to me. He helps me stay still when I get hurt.” Damn, I realized a moment too late that I shouldn’t have said the last part.
Marcus stopped in the doorway, his eyes becoming heated as he stared my direction. With a surprisingly calm voice, he asked, “How many times have you been hurt, Kenna?”
I held out my hand and waved it around to indicate now was not a good time. “Later, please.
Right now you have me at a disadvantage with the pain meds. I’m not exactly thinking straight.”
He ran a free hand through his hair and let out an exasperated sigh as he continued toward the end of the bed. “Fine, but this is not the end of this discussion.”
“Agreed.”
I watched as he set a cloth grocery bag down, instantly grabbing Luke’s attention—his nose started going wild. Marcus reached in and pulled out two bowls and some food. “Are you hungry, Luke?”
It was no surprise my faithful friend quickly left my side in favor of getting his belly filled and something to drink. Some loyal companion.
Marcus took Luke’s spot next to me. “Mind if I take his place?”
I shook my head and would’ve shrugged my shoulders if it didn’t cause the skin and muscles from my wound to hurt.
“Use your words, love.” He reached over and put a finger under my chin, directing my face toward his. “You always had a hard time expressing yourself, and I’m still not a mind reader. If you don’t answer me, then I’d be more than happy to tie you to the bed until you start communicating with me.”
I’d never been so thankful that he couldn’t read my mind. If he had been able to, he’d know that the tone of voice he just used caused my lady bits to tingle and the pit of my stomach to drop, much like it had when he’d been my Dom. If only he knew how many times I’d envisioned him tying me up and having his way with me. Don’t go there. Focus on the here and now.
Instead of succumbing to his dominance, I went the opposite direction. I’d warned him yesterday that he was no longer my Master. “Asshole. Is that a good answer?” I spouted vehemently. “If you’d like, I could also call you a liar, a thief, a philanderer . . . the list is endless.”
Marcus’s hand grabbed my chin firmly, where I couldn’t move. Luke started to growl, his bristles up, as he inched toward the bed like a wolf stalking his prey. “Stand down, Luke,” Marcus ordered in his dominant voice. I watched in utter shock as Luke took a seat, looking on with just as much confusion as me.
“I didn’t know how to broach this subject, but you just gave me an opening.” He closed his eyes and seemed to be forming the next words carefully, and I could sense his anger right as he blurted out, “Why did you leave me?”
The question was simple, direct, and to the point. But the hurt behind it was almost more than I could tolerate. I opened my mouth to recount the story I’d told yesterday, but he added, “Yesterday you told me you ran because you were pregnant, confused, and scared, because so many things quickly changed in your life. I get that, but I feel there are still missing pieces to the puzzle. You’re hiding something from me, and I want to know the full truth, now.”
His eyes opened and stared straight into mine. Damn it, he’d know if I lied. “Cassia mentioned she’d caused you to run. What was she talking about? I need to know why my life has been fucking hell for the past five years!” His voice was strong, and he wanted answers immediately.
I tried to close my eyes and turn away from him. The only problem: I could hardly move, thanks to my injury and Marcus still holding my chin in place.
His voice softened, beseeching me for answers. “Talk to me, love. Help me understand.”
I could feel the tears begin to form at the corners of my eyes. Maybe it was time to get everything out in the open. Taking a deep breath, I relented. “Fine, though I don’t think your life has been as miserable as mine.” I paused for a moment, suddenly feeling like my throat was as dry as the desert in Fallujah, and took a sip of the orange juice he’d brought up. Don’t go there. You’re not back there caught in crossfire. You’re with the man you once loved. Give him a chance.
Marcus took away my glass, causing me to realize I’d drained the contents and was sucking on the few drops that remained. I was stalling and he knew it. “Just tell me what happened, and let’s deal with the elephant in the room, so to speak. I don’t think either of us will be able to trust the other until we come to a full understanding, and maybe not even then.”
He went on to add, “I’m happy to answer any questions you might have.”
Did I have any unanswered issues regarding his life? You know you do, so ask already. Here’s your opportunity to get it all out in one fell swoop.
Leaning my head back against the headboard, I took in a relaxing breath in attempt to center myself and regain some small modicum of control. I began. “Yes, Cassia’s part of the reason I left.” I stared him straight in the eyes as I added, “You’re the main reason.”
Marcus raised his hand to his chest in shock. “Me? What did I do?”
Was he acting or serious about not knowing? At that point I could feel the anger I’d tried to hide come bubbling to the surface. “You’re kidding me, right? What didn’t you do to screw me over?”
He sat there, baffled. So I began to fill him in. “You already know what transpired earlier on the day I left. What you don’t know is that I did show up to the interview, about fifteen minutes early. I needed to vent to you about my dad, discuss the news of our child, and see what your thoughts were in how we should proceed with our lives.”
Marcus ran a hand through his hair again. In the past it meant he was having a hard time processing things, and I guessed he still had the same bad habit. Oddly enough, it left him with bed hair that made him completely irresistible.
“You were there? Why didn’t I see you? Why didn’t you let me know?” he demanded.
This was the part I hated, the whole reason I had enjoyed egging on Cassia yesterday and today. I was pissed then, and I might as well let him see how upsetting that day was for me. I slammed my fist down against the bed, getting both Marcus’s and Luke’s attention. “Because you were too busy stealing my job.” I poked a finger at his chest to emphasize the point. “There was only one position available with the company, and I had the interview. You knew that when you promised to meet me there for moral support.”
My hands balled into fists, and I could feel the nails start to scratch the skin on my palms. “You stole my fucking job, Marcus! I walked in as the interviewer was congratulating you, and then you wrapped your arms around Cassia and kissed her in celebration. I even heard her say how wonderful it’d be just the two of you, alone together in New York.”
I could feel the tears as they began to slide down my cheeks. “My life had already been turned upside down, and you’d nailed the final nail in my coffin that day. I had loved you deeply, but at that point, I hated I’d been so blind as to believe we could have the fairytale ending we’d always dreamed of.
“I drove back to our apartment, grabbed what little I could, and headed out of town. I needed space to think about what I’d seen, how I felt, and what I wanted to do.” I finally took in the pained expression on his face. I’d hurt him, but I didn’t care anymore. To emphasize my point, I asked, “What would you have done if the roles were reversed?”
Marcus jumped off the bed and began to pace. “That fucking bitch!” He screamed, before slamming his hand against the wall. “You mean this whole fucking time, we could’ve been together?”
I didn’t know what he was talking about. I just looked at him as if he’d grown another head, and no, I’m not talking about the second member lower on his body. That’s when he came around to the other side of the bed and sat down next to me, where we could see eye to eye. “First off, I never had nor will I ever have any interest in Cassia. She could be as rich as Midas or as sinful looking as Miss Universe, but the woman is pure evil with the power of manipulation as her specialty. She’s used people endlessly and spits them out when she’s done. The only reason she’s still trying to come after me is because I will not be controlled by her.”
Okay, I guess it was my turn to look befuddled. Where the hell was he going with this?
Marcus began to explain. “I’ll give you this: that day, for whatever reason, was a real shitstorm. I finished with my exams early, so I walked over and waited for you to show up for the int
erview. The interviewer, Mr. Larkin, who worked in the Human Resources department at the financial firm at the time, had a cancellation and was looking to kill time until your interview. He asked me if I wanted to talk, and in so doing, he thought I’d be a good candidate for the position.”
Marcus put his finger over my lips when I began to open my mouth to point out the obvious: how he’d stolen my job. “I refused the job initially, citing I didn’t want to take the opportunity away from my girlfriend. If you’d stuck around and asked questions, you’d have found out that the guy who’d accepted the other position had opted to go with another company. So there were two jobs available.
“We knew I’d be looking for a position when we got to New York. I thought the idea of being able to work alongside one another would make both of us happy and solve some of our financial issues as well. We could both hit the ground running.”
Okay, I’d give him that one. I guess I should’ve stuck around to find out the facts before jumping to conclusions, except . . . “What about Cassia? Did I imagine the part where you put your lips on hers while her arms were wrapped securely around your neck?”
“Damn it, woman.” Marcus grabbed my hands and held them in one of his, while the other grabbed my chin again, locking me into place, making sure we had eye contact. “You are the only person I’ve ever loved, ever wanted to be with, and I still want to be with you. Cassia happened to be there to say hello to Mr. Larkin, one of her dad’s employees. When she found out I’d been offered the position, she initially shook my hand, but then, for some reason, grabbed hold of my neck and forced her lips onto mine.
“If you’d taken the time to analyze the situation, you would’ve seen me push her away, nearly causing her to land on her ass. Plus, you would have heard me berate her for her actions and remind her that I’m yours and yours alone. Of course she had a smile on her face a mile wide and a spring in her step as she told me, ‘We shall see’. I guess she thought she could manipulate me, but she was wrong.”
Makenna's Trust: Titan Security Series #3 Page 11