“Oh my God.” His mom covers her mouth and shakes her head. “Well, that settles it. You need to step down. After what happened today… for Christ’s sake, Jason, you have a baby to look after.” She reaches for some Kleenex and almost violently pulls one out.
“Mom, this is not the first time I’ve been shot.” He sits up and I’m instantly on my feet making sure… I don’t even know what I’m making sure. It’s like we are bonded together now. His blood is still on me and his baby grows in my womb, but what he did today made me his in a way I can’t fully understand yet.
“I’m not stepping down. Eve and the baby will be protected. Don’t worry about that ever.” His words make my belly flutter and core clench. “Angel?”
I look at him, so beautiful even sitting in a blue hospital gown with an IV in his arm. His face is bruised and his coloring is off, but he still radiates energy, a magnetism that makes my heart beat faster.
She sniffs into the Kleenex and I look down at myself. “I need a shower.” It sounds crazy, but at this point, I don’t care. Jason likes me and that’s all that matters.
“You’re not leaving,” he snaps. “And Mom, please stop crying. The bullet went all the way through me. I lost a lot of blood is all.” He reaches for my hand and surprisingly pulls me to the side of his bed.
“Go take a shower. I’ll get Mom to go and buy you something from the boutique. I need to talk to Rodney anyway.”
Rodney turns around, his phone in his hand. “Yes, you need to be filled in.” He points at him, smiling. “I’m also charging you double for today.” He grins as Jason groans. Rodney is a good man and an even better lawyer if his phone time is any indication.
“Go get cleaned up, baby.” I watch as he pushes a button for either more pain medication or a nurse. Either way, he wants me to stay and I intend to. As I turn on the bathroom light, the adrenaline that has kept me going and hunger hit me like someone has thrown a rock at my belly. A loud growl and acid burn their way up my stomach to my neck. Partly scared at what I’ll find, I avoid my reflection and instead strip the now dry and stiff bloody clothes off me and start the water for a shower.
As I lather up, I take stock of my injuries. I have a skinned knee that’s super sore. My elbow is scratched up, but other than that I’m fine. Jason saved my life. He’s sitting in that hospital bed because he threw himself in front of me. Lifting my face to the spray of the showerhead, I allow myself to digest the truth that my brother is either a completely insane sociopath or the bitch who shot Jason is crazy. Reaching for the mini shampoo, I wash my hair, trying to decide if Benny could really be a killer and do I really care? He wasn’t perfect and he changed with the drugs… but a coldblooded killer? And why would he even be hanging out with Doc and Sandy, knowing that the Disciples would be watching? That’s plain stupid.
Turning off the water, I wish everyone was gone and I could climb into bed with Jason and sleep for days. I wrap the cheap white towel around me and peek out. Rodney and Ryder are talking to Jason. His mom is sitting in the corner vaping an e-cig. I’m pretty sure that’s not allowed but it’s not my place to say anything. A plastic bag sits next to her. I clear my throat and she and Ryder look up. His brown eyes are on alert as he nods and goes back to Jason.
“Oh… here, I hope it fits.” She looks at me from the bottom of my feet up to my wet, dripping hair. “I got you a dress.”
“Thank you.” My face heats up. The pressure of wanting this woman to like me is so important I drop the bag. I sneak a glance at Jason. Whatever they’re telling him must be bad because he’s got that look in his eyes. I’m sure it’s about Benny and I almost want to say something to defend him, but I think better of it. God, I remember when I first got taken to pay the debt. I hated Benny. Now… I think he’s a selfish dick and a drug addict. And let’s be honest—if he offed Paul, well, the world is a better place without pieces off shit like that creep roaming around. Karma’s a bitch. I reach down and pick up the gift shop bag and pull a pink halter dress out.