Page 23 of Adoring Fletcher
I wondered—would the gang have jumped him if he’d smelled of me? If he’d carried an Alpha’s protection? Had the war waging in my heart been the reason that this had happened? Had I just admitted my feelings sooner, would Fletcher be safe in my arms back home?
Fighting back emotion, I leaned over and scent-marked Fletcher’s wrists, rubbing mine gently against his.
There.
A little too late, but it would have to do.
I closed my eyes, holding Fletcher’s limp hand, and let the steady beeping of the machines lull me into a fragile sense of security.
14
FLETCHER
I awoketo find Adam slumped over the hospital bed, snoring softly.
That was a sight I didn’t expect to see.
He grasped my hand in his, even in slumber. His clothing was rumpled and there was a dark smear on his white sleeve cuff. A bloodstain?
Was thatmyblood?
I blinked a couple of times to try and clear my woozy head, then looked around. I was in the hospital. An IV bag dripped clear fluids through a line into my inner-elbow, and machines beeped just loudly enough to be annoying behind me.
Ugh. It felt like I’d been run over by a lawn mower, if the lawn mower was the size of a semi. My body ached, throbbing with each beat of my heart, and the memories of what happened shuttered in slowly.
Jax’s cruel brown eyes flashed into my mind’s eye. Shit. He and the gang had found me. They hadn’t been happy, either, spewing threats like acid from their silver tongues.
I remembered the bolt of panic as they took chase. As they ran me down, their paws scuffing over pavement right before I fell beneath their fangs and claws.
I shuddered. They would have killed me, if Adam hadn’t stopped them. But how did he find me in time? Had he heard my scream? I really thought I was going to die.
Blinking back tears, I reached up slowly, lifting a hand to brush hair out of my eyes—and that’s when I smelled it.
The sharp tang of citrus and cedar.
I stiffened, sniffing at my wrists. Warmth flooded through me at the sudden realization.
Had Adammarkedme?
I gazed down at him. He looked exhausted, like he’d been here by my side since we’d arrived. Had he been that worried about me?
Just then, Adam stirred, waking up. He sat up slowly, groggy. The minute he saw me, relief flooded his face, giving me the answer to the question I’d just wondered.
“Fletcher,” he uttered, my name soft on his lips. He sat up straight in his chair, determination flashing in his eyes. “I’m so sorry. I won’t let those mongrels near you again, I promise.”
I blinked, a little confused. “It’s not your responsibility,” I said softly. “Jacks came after me because I ratted them out to the cops, not because of you.”
Adam’s forehead grooved into a frown. “Which means they’ll likely try again.”
I paused at that. Would Jax really keep hunting me down? Didn’t he have anything better to do with his time? Like rob little old ladies of their coin purses?
My heart skipped a beat as anxiety welled up inside me, but Adam was right there, reaching over to squeeze my hand.
“Don’t worry, Fletcher,” he murmured. “Everything will be okay. I’ll deal with them.”
It was my turn to frown. The thought of Adam facing Jacks and his pack of mutts scared me more than I was willing to admit. “Please don’t. You shouldn’t get involved.”
“Too late,” he said quietly.
