Page 39 of Own

Throwing my arms around his neck, I whisper, “Thank you,” into his ear as we pull away from the curb.

“It’s the least I can do, pretty girl.” In an instant, he wraps his arms around me, holds me in a tight embrace, and drags me into his lap, where I remain until we arrive at the hospital.

Feeling apprehensive about seeing my friend hurt, Cato offers me the comfort I desperately crave before we enter the building. “Eyes on me,” he demands in a soft yet dominant tone, and I do as he says as Zaiden closes the car door behind us. “She is in bad shape, and it’s going to be shocking, but I want you to remember that she’ll be fine and just how fucking strong you are, got it?”

I nod, more worried than before.

“B-b-but she’s r-r-really okay?”

He affirms that she is and lowers his face to kiss me. I’ll never tire of feeling his lips on mine. He’s soft and sweet but still domineering and controlling. Witnessing how he interacts with those around him versus how he is with me is such a contradiction, and I’m incredibly lucky to be worthy of his attention, even when I feel like I don’t deserve it.

“I’ll never lie to you, Hester. You can count on that.” With that promise, we walk into the hospital together, take the elevator to the floor we’re directed to, and stop at the nurse’s station monitoring her room.

Because she’s in the Intensive Care Unit, I’m the only visitor allowed, and only for a few minutes so she can rest. After scrubbing every inch of my hands and arms and donning the mask, booties, and gown, I’m led back to her room. As I stand in the doorway, I can hardly breathe. She’s pale, her hair is a mess, tubes and wires stick out everywhere, and she barely looks alive.

“A-a-are you s-s-sure she’s o-okay?” I just can’t see how she would be.

The nurse gives me a sympathetic look and places a hand on my forearm. “Yes, darling. Chelsea will be okay; she just needs a little more time to heal, and all this is a result of it.”

She leaves me alone, and I pull a chair closer to Chelsea’s bed. I gently touch her fingers, not wanting to jostle anything but hoping she knows I’m here.

“I-i-I’m s-s-s-sorry, Ch-chelsea.” Her eyes open slightly, and her head turns towards me.

“H.” She coughs and groans, her voice hoarse; still, she offers me a small smile.

Noticing a pitcher of water and a glass on a table, I pour a little into the cup, pop in the straw, and help her take a small sip.

“Thanks.” She sounds kind of better.

“I-I’m g-g-glad y-you’re o-okay.” Guess all the courage from earlier is gone, and my stutter has returned. Annoyed with myself, I sit back and give her time to adjust to being awake.

“Are you?” she asks, and I frown. “We were shot at,” she reminds me, as if I’d forget.

“J-j-just one shot,” I point out, and like her sassy self, she rolls her eyes at me. That’s what finally convinces me she’ll be just fine.

We talk a little longer before I can see she’s getting tired again, and I insist she rests. She makes me promise not to leave until she’s asleep, so I sit silently, thinking of ways to make things easier on her when she leaves the hospital.

She won’t be able to work for a while, so I worry about how she’ll pay her rent. Like me, Chelsea doesn’t have family, so she has no one to rely on. Which is why I’ve decided that since I’m living with Cato now, I can use my own paychecks to cover her rent and a few bills. The rest, I’ll figure out later.

Cato is waiting for me outside the ward and stands as I approach. Instantly, he opens his arms, and I don’t hesitate to bury my face in his chest, accepting the comfort he offers. I’m not sure how long he holds me, but if I could stay like this forever, I would.

“How is she?” he asks as I draw back to meet his gaze.

“S-s-sarcastic.” The corner of his mouth lifts, and amusement flickers in his eyes.

“Always a good sign, I suspect.” He drapes an arm across my shoulders and turns us towards the elevators. “I’ve taken care of her rent for a year, hired a nurse to assist her once she’s released, and arranged for Miles to bring her groceries and meals until she’s on her feet again.”

I halt us in our tracks and stare up at him. How did he read my mind? How could he possibly know that’s what I’ve been thinking about, stressing over?

“What?” I whoosh out, forced to take a breath.

This time I get a full-fledged smile as he shakes his head. “She was shot because someone thought it a good idea to target you. This was my fault; of course, I’m going to ensure she’s taken care of, especially because she’s your best friend.”

Without thought or permission, I blurt out, “I love you, Daddy,” and my entire being freezes. Like a terrified baby animal, I don’t breathe or move in fear of being attacked.

Cato seems just as shocked until he hoists me over his shoulder, ignores the elevator, and takes us down the stairs and out the front door faster than I can process what’s happening. “Home,” he snaps at Zaiden as we tumble into the back seat.

Chewing my lip as he settles me over his lap, our eyes lock in such a tense hold you could cut it with a knife. I didn’t mean to say it. I don’t even know if he’s mad that I did because he’s not saying anything.