Stronger With Us (The Strength Series Book 3) (14 page)

25

Seven days. Seven of the longest fucking days of my life have been wasted in this hospital bed. I was ready to go home three days ago, but the doctors insisted that I needed the extra physical therapy and refused to sign my release papers. I’m leaving today come hell or high water. I want to sleep in my own bed, and to be able to take a piss without having to report how much came out each time.

The days have felt longer than twenty-four hours, and I’m bored out of my skull. Of course, the one person that I can’t get out of my head hasn’t been here either, which is not improving my mood.

“Good morning, Jude. I have your medicine,” Donna says as she enters my room. She’s been like a mother to me and has been the only one to call me on my bullshit and keep me sane.

“Thanks, Donna. How’s it looking out there?” I ask her the same question every morning when she’s working.

“Well, you’re still heavily guarded, it’s raining, and my feet hurt,” she says in a monotone voice, the only thing that’s changed in her response is the weather.

“I see. Sounds like I need to get out of here so you don’t have to keep walking all the way down here.”

“I think you’re finally going to blow this popsicle stand today, Jude. Once the doctor does rounds we’ll get your paperwork done, and I’ll spring you from your prison. Is your brother coming in again today?”

I nod as I answer, “Yes, you know he can’t stay away.”

“He’s worried about you. I get the feeling he’s trying to make up for something.”

“We haven’t always been close. This has definitely altered our relationship.”

“For the better?” Donna asks as she retucks my blankets around my feet.

“I hope so. He’s all I’ve got of my family. Now that I’m living in the same city as him, I’d like for us to be friends, you know?” I have no idea why I feel so comfortable telling her all of this.

“Then I hope you two can maintain this new friendship when you get home. Family’s important, Jude. They can’t be replaced.”

I nod in agreement, but the lump that instantly forms in my throat keeps me from verbalizing anything. Donna smiles at me as she moves toward the door.

“Buzz me if you need anything. Your doctor should be here within the hour,” she says as she leaves the room.

The door opens a few minutes later and Colin strides into the room. I really am proud of my little brother and the man he’s become. Protecting him from our father’s rage was worth it to see how great his life is now.

“I hear you’re getting released. Are you going back to your apartment or would you rather stay with me and Becca?”

“No way in hell. You guys fuck like bunnies and your honeymoon-phase, lovey-dovey shit is disgusting. I’ll go home, thank you very much.”

Colin crosses his arms and stares at me for about five seconds before busting out in laughter.

“Lovey-dovey? Did you really just say that? Maybe they should check you for a head injury, too.” He bends at the waist and really lets go. I can’t help the smile that forms on my face; it did sound stupid.

“Shut up, asshole. You know what I mean,” I respond, breaking out in laughter as well.

“Sounds like things are going well in here,” Dr. Snider says as he enters the room. The surgeon is only a few years older than me, but he's one of the rising stars in the area.

“Yeah, my brother is testing the limits of my stitches, Doc.”

“Well, those are coming out today, so I’m not worried. Let’s see how things are going,” he says as he puts on his latex gloves. I roll to my side and lift the flimsy hospital gown that I’ve come to loathe so he can check out my wound.

After a few minutes of pushing and poking, Dr. Snider stands and removes his gloves.

“Looks good. I’m going to let you go home today, but I want you off work for another week. Just because you feel better doesn’t mean that your guts are ready for anything other than lying on the couch watching football. You’re very lucky that there wasn’t more internal damage, especially given the trajectory, so please, don’t push it. I’ll have the nurse come in and remove the stitches. Call my office if you have any problems, okay?”

“Yes, I’m ready to go home. Thanks, Doc,” I say extending my hand to him. We shake briefly, and he turns to my brother.

“I assume you’ll be taking him home?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Very good,” he says as he shakes Colin’s hand, too. “Take care, guys.”

As the doctor leaves, my brother smiles at me. “It’s a good thing I brought your stuff, huh?” He lifts a duffle bag that I hadn’t noticed before. I smile back knowing how good it’s going to feel to be in my own clothes.

“I even brought your weapon. I know how you are if you don’t have it.”

“You’re a lifesaver, man. I’m ready to get the fuck out of here,”
and go get my woman
I say to myself.

“Has she been here?”

My head snaps back toward my brother.

“Who?”

“You know who. Christin. Has she visited?”

“Why would I give a shit?”

“Because you’re in love with her. You can play the tough guy, but we both know it’s bullshit.”

“I’m not having this conversation with you.”

“Stephanie told Becca about your flight back from Las Vegas. I think it’s great, but you need to tread lightly. She’s skittish, and she will bolt at the first sign of commitment. Honestly, I’m both surprised and very pleased to see you take an interest in someone. You deserve to be happy, Jude.”

I have no answer to that, so I just stare at Colin. Somehow it feels like our roles have reversed and he’s the one taking care of me. I don’t like it. I’m the oldest, I’m supposed to be the protector.

“Well, we’ll just have to see, won’t we?”

“Don’t give up on her. Becca says that Christin needs someone to teach her that all men aren’t bad, and that it’s okay to need someone in your life. Sounds to me like a lesson you both need to learn.”

I start to make a snide comment, but Donna saves us both when she comes in with a tray covered with a blue towel.

“Let’s get those stitches out so you can go home,” she says with a smile.

An hour later, I’ve got my discharge papers, my own clothes on, and I’m being wheeled to the entrance. Of course it’s hospital policy that patients have to be escorted out in a wheelchair. I hate it, but I’m not going to do anything to make someone say I have to stay here.

Colin is waiting in his truck, but I want to make a stop at the emergency room before we leave. I have no idea if Christin is working, but I’ve got to see her and try to convince her to give me a chance.

“Do me a favor and drive over to the ER,” I say as I close the door.

“Really? Now?”

“Yes, asshole, I just need to see her for a second.”

“All right. You’re such a dick sometimes.”

Colin doesn’t say anything else as he follows the access road around the building to the ambulance bay. It’s busy, of course, but I just follow the EMTs into the triage area as if I should be there.

I scan each employee as I walk by, but I haven’t seen Christin yet. Once I reach the nurses’ station, I have no choice but to ask if she’s even here. There’s a big guy sitting at one of the computers wearing scrubs, so I approach him.

“Is Christin working today?”

“Who wants to know?” is the gruff response.

“I’m a friend of hers.”

“Buddy, we get that a lot around here. What’s your name and how did you even get back here?” He finally looks up at me, and I can tell he means business.

“I was shot a week ago and came through here. She treated me, but we’re also friends. My brother married her best friend, and I just want to talk to her for a minute.”

“I see,” he says as he nods. “She’s here, but she’s with a patient. You can wait out in the lobby.”

“How about I just stand here for a couple minutes and if she doesn’t come out, I’ll take off.”

“Suit yourself,” he says as he goes back to his paperwork. “Just stay out of our way.”

I don’t have to wait too long to see the woman I haven’t stopped thinking about for weeks. She looks gorgeous in her scrubs with her blonde hair piled on top of her head. Even the scowl on her face is making my dick hard.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Jude? I’m working,” she says as she brushes past me.

“I wanted to see you and ask you to stop by my place tonight. We need to talk.”

“I work until seven and if it’s busy I may not get off on time. Shouldn’t you be laying on your couch recovering?”

“Yeah, I’m not much for being a potato. Just say you’ll come over, and I’ll leave. I don’t care what time it is.”

Christin sighs and looks up at the ceiling. I can tell she’s arguing with herself. This is a good sign that I have a chance, I hope.

“Fine. I’ll stop by.”

“Good. I rented Colin’s old place. Do you need the address?” I ask with a mischievous grin on my face.

“I think I can find it. Now, go, you’re distracting me from my patients.”

As I walk away, a man leans out of his room and starts yelling her name. I’ve seen this guy before, but I can’t place him. He looks at me and narrows his eyes. There’s something about him that has my law enforcement brain screaming at me to stick around. I glare back as I walk past him, but I only go around the corner out of his sight.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I know it’s going to be Colin wanting to know what’s taking so long. I look at the device and I’m right, so I send a quick text telling him it’s going to be a minute. I hear Christin’s voice, so I chance a look around the wall.

“Yes, Mr. Lindey, what do you need?”

“Was that your boyfriend?” What the fuck?

“I’m not discussing my personal life with you. Now, is that the only reason you’re out of bed yelling in my hall, or did you need something else? Is your call button not working?” I’ve gotta hand it to her, she really is a great emergency room nurse.

“You are my life,” he says angrily. I see him grab her arm and pull her into the exam room, quickly slamming the door closed. I’m moving before my brain registers what’s happening. I pull my weapon from the holster at my back and slowly approach the door. I look in the square window and see Christin in a chokehold and the maniac pulling her toward the bed. I push on the door but it’s locked from the inside. Of course the damn thing is made of metal so kicking it in probably won’t work. I don’t have a choice but to go up to the desk and get someone’s keys. I take another look in the window and she’s on the bed. He’s pacing around, but it seems like she’s trying to reason with him. Hopefully she can keep him talking until I can get in there and get this fucker away from my woman.

26

Are you fucking kidding me? I’m being held hostage in my own ER? Surely the universe is playing tricks on me.

“Get on the bed, you bitch,” he grumbles in my ear. Nope, not a joke.

I slowly walk toward the bed and do a mental inventory of all the supplies and instruments in this room. I know there are a couple scalpels in the cabinet across from me. That would be my best bet, but getting there is going to be difficult.

“What’s the matter, Curt?” I say with as much compassion as I can muster.

“Did I tell you to talk? Get on the bed and keep your mouth shut.”

“I’m just trying to understand what you want,” I say as I try to turn and look him in the eye. He grabs me and wraps one arm around my neck, squeezing my windpipe.

“I fucking told you to shut up. Now, we’re going to get on the bed and you’re going to do exactly what I tell you. You’re mine. He can’t have you. Nobody can have you.”

My vision starts to get fuzzy and I know if I don’t get oxygen soon that I’ll pass out. I relax in his hold and I’m able to take a breath. I allow him to lead me to the bed and throw me on it. My brain is still trying to process a way out of this that won’t end with one or both of us seriously hurt or worse.

“I’m sorry, Curt. I had no idea you felt that way,” I whisper. He stops pacing and stares at me. That’s when I see the hunting knife in his hand. Fuck!

“I come to see you all the time. I sent you notes and left you flowers. They looked absolutely beautiful on your kitchen table. How could you not know?”

It takes a second for all of that to click. He’s the one who’s been stalking me? He’s been in my house? How did he get past the security system? Oh, shit, this is way worse than I thought. I try to remember some of the things I was taught during my psychiatric nursing classes, but nothing comes back.

“I’m sorry,” I say again, trying to buy some time to figure out the right answer. “I’ve been so busy that I never stopped to consider that you would be the one. I should have known,” I say with what I hope is a sweet smile despite the urge to vomit.

He turns away from me and paces the room, spinning the knife in his hand. I keep my mouth shut, which is very hard for me.

“You know, you are the only woman who’s ever cared about me? You’re always so nice when I come in. I know that you love me as much as I love you. I had hoped you’d have realized it by now, though. This isn’t how I wanted this to happen.”

“What did you want to happen?” I know if I keep him talking I can figure out how to get out of here. At some point one of my co-workers will come looking for me.

“We were going to go on a real date. I would take you to a nice restaurant, maybe dancing, and then back to your place. We’d wait until the third date to have sex, of course, because you’re not a slut like the rest of them.” He looks at me as if I’m the most important thing on earth.  “Then I’d ask you to marry me and we’d live happily ever after.”

I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding. This guy has obviously lost his marbles. I see Jude’s face in the door window for a second. I continue to stare at the door, and I see him again. Looking over at my captor, I realize that he’s missed this bit of information.

“Curt, I don’t know if you realize this, but knives scare me,” I say with an innocent tone. “Would you put that big thing down and come sit next to me? It would make me feel so much better.” I roll to my side and keep my back to the door, hoping he’ll follow.

I turn my head and look at him though my lashes. It seems to work because he walks over to this side of the bed. He still has the knife in his hand, but he’s not looking at the door.

“I don’t want to scare you, but I’m not going to put it down. I know that someone is going to try and take you away from me. Once we get out of here, I promise you’ll never see a knife again.”

Several things happen at once. The door slams against the wall, Curt jumps and pulls me off the bed, wrapping his arm over my left shoulder and under my right armpit securing me to his chest, and puts the knife to my throat, as the room fills with people. I’m spun around and see Jude leading the group, his gun raised and pointed just above my head. I also see his brother, Colin, with the same scowl on his face and his gun pointed at us.

“This ends now, asshole. You’re going to let her go, and we’ll all walk out of here,” Jude says with authority. I see the vein in his neck pulsing with his heartbeat, but it’s the only indication that he’s upset.

“Fuck you. I’m not letting you take her away from me. She’s mine. I’ve been a part of her life a lot longer than you have.” I can’t help but roll my eyes while Curt talks. Thankfully, he can’t see me.

“No matter what you think, you’re not leaving here with her.” Jude takes a step forward, and I’m pulled back. There isn’t much room to move in here with all the equipment, so I know we’ve got to be close to a wall. I look at Jude and then Colin, trying to explain with my eyes what I’m about to do. I see a slight nod from Jude and then I pretend to pass out, going completely limp in Curt’s hold and pulling him off center.

Curt stumbles a little to keep hanging on to me, and it’s enough for me to slide out of his grasp. I hear two shots as I hit the floor. I try to roll away from Curt, but he lands on me as he falls. The knife is still in his hand and catches my cheek, tearing it open. I hear screams and feel the sting in my face as the body on top of me is moved. It’s then I realize that I’m the one screaming.

“Shh, I’ve got you,” I hear as I’m lifted in strong arms from the floor. My back hits the bed and I open my eyes to the most beautiful sight I’ve seen. Jude’s blue eyes stare into mine.

“I need to get someone to look at your cheek. It’s bleeding pretty badly,” he says but doesn’t move. I don’t really give a shit about my face right now. Out of the corner of my eye, I see something white pass by and then Jude is pressing a cloth to my face.

“That fucking hurts,” I say and then start to laugh. Uncontrollable laughter. Bend-at-the-waist, buy-a-ticket-to-the-funny-farm laughter. Jude stares at me, shaking his head, but smiling.

“Most people react a little differently, but this works,” he says as he starts to laugh with me.

“The police are here,” Colin says from the doorway. That snaps me out of my stress-induced laughing fit.

“Where is he? Does he need medical attention?”

“Why do you care? He tried to kill you,” Jude asks, not bothering to hide his irritation.

“I’m a nurse. I can’t help it.”

“Well, he’s going to need the morgue.” That bit of information makes me sad. Yes, this man had his issues, but he didn’t deserve to die.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” I whisper.

“Really? That piece of shit held you hostage with a knife to your neck, and you’re sorry he’s dead? That doesn’t make any fucking sense, Christin.”

“Hey, don’t tell me how to feel, and stop fucking yelling at me. No matter the circumstances, I don’t think someone should lose their life. I’m trained to save lives. If you don’t get that, then maybe you should just get the fuck out of here.” I’m so pissed off right now I’m ready to explode.

“Uh, guys, let’s call a truce right now, okay?” Colin says stepping up to the bed. “You two can fight this out later, but we’ve got shit to deal with, statements to give, and I’m sure the hospital lawyers will be here soon to do some damage control.”

I nod in agreement and so does Jude. He’ll hear more about this later.