Page 131 of Security and Submission
“Um, that was Payam. My mom’s friend’s son.”
“Ah ha.” Damn. He’d thought her parents liked him. “I take it they’re still trying to find you a good husband?”
“No.” Yas reached out to take his hand in hers. “They introduced me to Payam, before they knew about you. He was just coming to see me because he’d heard I’d been shot. He’s a good guy… just not the guy for me.”
The warmth was back, spreading from her fingers in his through the rest of his body. Yas’ parents did like him. So did she. Still though.
“Any other men you’re keeping a secret from me, naughty girl?” he raised his eyebrow at her. “First Mason, then Payam…”
“Nope, no more secrets, I promise.” She crossed her fingers over her chest. “And you’re not allowed to be mad at me. I got shot.”
Zeus couldn’t help it, he laughed. “How long are you going to play that card?”
“As long as it works.” She gave him a sidelong look. “Though, I wouldn’t mind being your naughty girl once my shoulder heals up.”
“Oh trust me, princess, I’ll be keeping a tally of how naughty you are while you’re recovering.”
“Well, that’s no fun.” She pouted at him and Zeus booped her nose with the tip of his finger.
“Where are your parents?”
“Taking longer than I’d thought to get a bag together for me,” Yas said, holding up one hand to reach for his face as he bent over her to give her a kiss. Her fingers rubbed along his beard, and she sighed happily against his lips. “I cannot wait to get out of here. How is your day going?”
His chuckle had no real amusement to it as he straightened up. Looking over his shoulder, he hooked his foot around the chair to pull it closer. Close enough, he could sit down facing her and hold her hand. The soft warmth of her palm in his was a better calming mechanism than any breathing exercise.
“You mean other than finding out you were hiding another secret boyfriend? It has been a day already. Have you turned on the news at all?”
“No way, too depressing. Only happy thoughts today.” She cocked her head at him. Apparently, she was going to ignore the ‘secret boyfriend’ jab. “Although if there’s something major going on, please do tell me.”
“Well, depends on what you mean by major.” He quickly updated her on the attempted shooting of MacLeod, making her jaw drop open. “At least no one was injured this time.”
“That is good… but holy crap. What are the odds?” She shook her head. “At least we know it wasn’t Pete James that did it. So, it must be a different shooter. But wow.”
The urge to tell her about the sniper was there, but Zeus suppressed it. Lincoln had been explicit—no telling anyone outside of the team. Some things were need-to-know. Even though Yas deserved to know, considering she’d been the one to get shot. Eventually, he would be able to tell her.
“Anything else momentous happen?”
“Well…”
“I was kidding! There’s more?”
“My parents called again. I answered this time to tell them that I wasn’t going to come home, and they could write me out of their wills.” Zeus rolled his head around his neck. “I also told them I’m not willing to pretend my dad isn’t abusive anymore and that the only reason I’d want to hear from either of them is if my mom needs help leaving him.”
“Wow…” Yas’ mouth was hanging open, and she closed it, shaking her head before speaking again. “Wow. You have already had a day, while I’ve been just lying here in a hospital bed.”
“Yeah, well.” Zeus shrugged one shoulder. “When it rains, it pours. But you’re getting released today, and that’s all I need to keep me happy.”
“You’re sure about me coming to stay with you?” There was a pleading look in her eyes, though she kept her voice even. “Because I can go to my parents. I know it’s kinda soon…”
“You were already staying with me before.”
“Yeah, but that’s when Pete James kept showing up at my house. Which is not something I have to worry about now.” The relief she felt at that was clear in her voice.
“Are you sure you want to stay with me, now that you don’t need my protection?” He raised his eyebrows at her.
“Yes.”
“Then I’m sure I want you to stay.” He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “I’d rather you were with me than anywhere else.”
