I want to prove it to you. Give me a chance, babe.

She slowly shook her head. Ive already taken a ride on that horse. The one where I accept excuses for bad behavior. Not this time Forde, no.

Im not excusing my actions. Im explaining them. Theres a difference. I tried to keep my tone even, although I was getting mad. I wasnt going to lose this chance.

It was just a couple of kisses, nothing life changing.

Youre wrong. You and me, together, changes everything.

Forde, she started, but I cut her off.

Give me a chance to prove it to you, I pleaded, yeah I did. Tell me to do something, and I will. Layla, Im the man you can depend on. I know that in your life all the responsibility has fallen onto you, but now Im here, let me take some of it.

One side of her mouth raised in an unpleasant grin. Okay, hotshot. Get me out of here. Tonight. I want out of here as soon as possible.

I wanted to grin, but I didnt. Done, but I want to add a caveat to that.

She raised her eyebrows. Go on.

I get you out of here, but then you come home with me. She started to interrupt, but I raised my hand to stop her. You cant go back to that house. Its a crime scene now. My place has security, and I can take care of you. When she didnt try to speak, I pushed on. You stay with me until the trial is done. You give me that time to prove to you we belong together.

Are you f.u.c.king nuts? she screeched.

Maybe a little, I grinned.

I dont know, Forde I do. I saw the nurse walk in the room. You rest, and Im going to make some calls.

I listened as the nurse asked Layla some questions.

Dr. Mariah Lamb owed me. So tonight, I was going to call that marker. I walked out into the hall and continued to the sitting area past the bank of elevators. I scrolled through my phone list until I found her name.

She answered with a sleepy sounding, Lo.

Dr. Lamb, Lucas Forde. Do you have rights to see a patient at Eskan.a.z.i?

Uh, yeah. She still sounded half asleep.

I need you to get down here. Youre going to release your new patient to my care.

Mr. Forde, do you know what time it is? Good, she was now awake.

Yes, it is twenty minutes before I expect to see you in room seven-twenty-three. Be there, Dr. Lamb. Remember, you owe me.

She let out a sigh. Eskan.a.z.i. Seven-twenty-three. Got it. She hung up.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how a plan comes together, I said to the empty room, grinning like a mad man.

Chapter Eight.

I waited for Dr. Lamb by the elevators. She was wrapping her long hair into a ponytail as the doors slid open. She saw me and walked toward me. Whats going on, Mr. Forde?

Thats what I liked about the doc; she was straight to the point. Id met her when she was Tyes client, with a husband whod liked using her as a punching bag. My initial job was to track the trail of the funds hed been squirreling away"from their joint savings"into an offsh.o.r.e account. After watching the snake for a week, Id decided to make it clear she was never going to have a problem with that man again. I didnt charge for the extra service. Id requested a marker. The doctor had decided it was worth it. Her husband would never touch her again. Instead, hed moved to New Mexico.

My friend took a tumble down her bas.e.m.e.nt stairs earlier. She doesnt like hospitals. I watched Dr. Lambs body jerk in reaction.

Did somebody push her down the steps? She was still haunted by the demons of her past.

Her house was used for target practice. She tried to make it to the bas.e.m.e.nt for cover. I watched her absorb the information. When you release her, sh.e.l.l be coming home with me. Make that a part of your directive for aftercare.

The doctor looked relieved. So, sh.e.l.l be safe.

Thats the plan.

I need to look at her chart, and then Ill examine the patient. Dr. Lamb turned on her heel and took off.

Her name is Marlena Shepherd, I said, following her. They say nothings broken. I easily kept up with her determined pace.

Dr. Lamb nodded. Give me a few, and Ill be in.

I nodded and headed to Laylas room to wait.

Minutes later, Dr. Lamb roused Layla and began asking her questions. With a nurses a.s.sistance, she examined her bruised shoulder and checked the range of motion of her swollen knee.

I stood a few steps away from the foot of the hospital bed, listening while texting Rick instructions.

You can start the paperwork, Tina, Dr. Lamb said, while I go over a few things with Mrs. Shepherd and Mr. Forde. She excused the nurse.

I quickly finished my text and moved to Laylas good side. I ran my hand down her upper arm lightly. How is she?

Layla reached for my hand and laced her fingers with mine.

Im not sure she realized that she did it.

I watched the doctor glance at our hands, and she paused.

Usually, Id insist we keep a patient overnight that has been through what you have, Mrs. Shepherd, but I will release you into Mr. Fordes care. She again glanced at our hands, and she seemed to be fighting a smile. You know the protocol for concussion aftercare, Mr. Forde. Wake her every two hours, and if she shows any signs of distress or disorientation, bring her back to the E.R. immediately.

Understood. Ive had way too much experience with my guys and my own concussions.

The shoulder will be sore for a while, and I would like for you to use the brace all the time. After a week, try to slowly ease back into your routine. She waited for Layla to nod. The knee is going to be painful. Its badly bruised. I didnt see anything on the x-rays, but Im a little concerned. With a knee, youll want to move it, but dont overdo it. If it starts to feel weak or there are shooting pains, call me. Im going to order two prescriptions. Ice the knee and shoulder for pain and swelling. I want you to make an appointment with my office for a week to ten days out, since you dont have a regular doctor.

This time she looked at me, and I gave a nod. I would see to it that Layla made an appointment.

She turned again to Layla. The pain pills will probably knock you out for the next twenty-four hours. Rest and take it easy for the first few days. If you experience a heightened level of pain or discomfort in a different area, call me.

We both nodded.

If there are any signs of post-traumatic stress, let me know. I can recommend some people to talk to. They do help. Her gaze returned to mine. Ill get the release forms printed and email the scripts.

The Walgreens on Meridian, Dr. Lamb.

Gotcha. She left us.

Laylas grip on my hand had loosened; she turned her head to me. So I guess you can work magic.

You said that you didnt like hospitals. I pulled the chair over and sat in it. She glanced away and bit her bottom lip. Id come to learn that signaled that she felt unsure. I waited to hear what she had to say.

She let out a sigh, and then moved her gaze back to mine. So, I guess this means I really am going to your place?

I took possession of her hand again, and she didnt fight it. Rick, one of my guys, is going to pick us up, stop at the drugstore, and then h.e.l.l drop us at my condo.

When Aunt Nora gets back from her cruise, I can stay with her or in one of her houses. I dont want to be a bother.

Lay, the deal is that you stay with me until the trial is over. I watched her eyes widen. During that time, I can keep you safe, and we can get to know each other better. Now her eyes got really wide. I was speaking the truth when I said I felt something between us. Im not going to push that away. I plan on holding on with both hands to see where it takes us.

But, Forde, thats crazy, she whispered. Her expression was a combination of fear and confusion.

For the last two years, Ive felt like I was missing something. I didnt search, but I kept my eyes open. When you walked into my world, I knew that Id found it. You.

It cant be that simple. She shook her head back and forth, I know, I was married, she said in a rush.

I was married too, Lay. Well I only lived with her a month before I was deployed, but that was nothing like this. Not even close.

What are you saying? I could hear the fear in her voice. h.e.l.l, I could almost feel it because it was radiating from her body.

I waited until I had control of my mouth. She was frightened, and I knew shed close down to protect herself. Layla, well take it slow, especially while youre healing. I felt her hand flex in mine. Im telling you, that if this month goes good, you wont be leaving.

Again, she bit her lip. Youre insane. I just saw you with another woman. Her lips turned downward in what I thought were an adorable frown. I wanted to kiss her until she smiled.

A woman I cut loose, and who didnt mean anything to me. Wed f.u.c.k and that was it. I told you that, and the truth of the story isnt going to change no matter how many times we go over it. My frustration started to show, so I paused and got control. Layla, I survive on what my gut tells me. Thats the way I live my life. I trust what I feel.

She watched me, her gaze searching mine as if she was trying to find an answer to all of her questions.

Everythings ready, Dr. Lamb said from the door. Shed returned with a nurse. Go get your car and sh.e.l.l be down in a few minutes.

I sent a text and watched as Dr. Lamb prepared an injection. A shot?

For the ride home, because it is going to be painful for Mrs. Shepherd. This wont cover everything, but it will help. As soon as you get home, straight to bed and take two of the pills. Dr. Lamb cleaned a spot on Laylas arm. Honestly, if I were you, Id pop the pills on the ride to his place.

I dont have any clothes to change into, do I? Layla looked to the nurse.

The nurse pointed to a white plastic bag sitting on the tray to the side of the room. Only shoes.

Layla looked to me for help, and I liked it. You can keep that gown on and well wrap you in a blanket for the ride, or can you find something for her to wear? I asked the nurse.

The doctor spoke up. Do the blanket. That shoulder doesnt need to be bothered with more dressing and undressing.

The nurse patted Laylas hand. It will be better that way. I just need you to sign the papers, and then well get you out of here.

The ride home was uneventful, considering that Layla tried to hide how much it hurt, and I barked orders into Ricks phone as he rushed through the drugstore. She did ask that he pick up some Sprite. I needed to find out about her fixation with that drink.

Rick stopped in front of my building, and Burt, the night duty doorman, rushed to open the backseat door. I carried Layla inside, and Burt had the elevator waiting. This was one of perks of being the owner of the building; Id hired the staff personally so they were very attentive. I hit the b.u.t.ton for the top floor, and when the doors opened, I carried her to my door and then straight to my bed.

Chapter Nine.

I tried to shift my body because, it hurt, I hurt everywhere. Yowl, moving was way worse. My eyes flew open, and I saw that I wasnt in my room. h.e.l.l, this wasnt even my house, or Aunt Noras for that matter. There were blinds in a deep marine blue covering a wall of windows. I knew those blinds were electric and very expensive. There had been a time when Id studied decorating magazines and websites, hoping to make my house with Brian a comfortable home.

I closed my eyes and tried to figure out where I was and how Id gotten here. I dozed for a little bit, because when I opened my eyes again, things were clearer. I knew that I was at Fordes, and I was pretty sure this wasnt the guest room. It was too masculine and comfortable for a room that was for company. The furniture was strong and the colors were so, well, Forde. The blue reminded me of his eyes when he thought something was funny.

I slowly took inventory of my body and a few things became obvious. I ached all over, but more importantly I had to go to the bathroom. Plus I smelled like my bas.e.m.e.nt. I hated that wet, musty, damp odor.

Before I moved my body again, I tried to prepare myself. I rolled onto my not-so-bad side and slowly sat up at the edge of the bed. I tried to stand, and my knee almost buckled. I must have made a sound because I heard running footsteps as I sank onto the side of the bed.

Forde yelled, Dont move, Im coming.

Apparently he had super hearing to go along with all of his other skills. I waited until he entered the room.

How are you doing? he asked as he squatted in front of me.

I nodded a few times. I seemed to be out of breath. I managed to choke out, I need to pee. Real cla.s.sy, I told myself.

Ill help you. He stood and gently wrapped his arm around me and helped me stand.

My world tipped for a minute as my muscles seemed to have forgotten how to work. My good arm flailed, trying to find a part of him to hold onto.

Steady, he told me. Give it a minute. He held me as everything came back into focus, and I felt my balance return.

Better, I told him. My voice sounded rough. My throat was so dry that it burned.

After you take care of business, Ill make you something to eat. That will help. He slowly led me to the bathroom.

I wasnt graceful, but I managed to get there all right. At the bathroom door, I told him, Ill be okay. No way was he coming in with me.