Chapter Sixteen

The next few weeks sped by, and every day, Bella learned something more about Caden and the lifestyle. She couldn't imagine her life without him, but he had yet to talk about the future. He seemed happy, but people could easily hide their emotions.

He had put a blue collar on her, which helped her settle and relax when in the club. She didn't have men coming up to her because the collar told them she was taken.

Bella walked up to the bar, set her tray down, and took a breath.

"Hey, chicky," Cat said as she set her own tray down.

"Why is it so busy?" Bella asked.

Cat shrugged. "This is pretty normal for a Saturday night on a holiday weekend." She studied Bella. "I think you need to get some more sleep."

Bella sighed. "I know. I can't seem to sleep well with Caden gone."

"He was only gone last night, right?"

"Yes, but it seems longer."

Cat smiled. "I get that. I'd be the same way with Macy."

"Hey, Sweet Cheeks," Macy said as he leaned over the bar, grabbed the front of Cat's corset, lifted her onto the bar surface, and kissed her. It was so hot that she could see the people around them get aroused by it. She could feel a ball of heat grow in her belly.

He finally released her and gently set her back down on the floor. Bella couldn't help but smile at the dazed look on Cat's face and the arrogant, pleased look on his.

"What can I get you lovely ladies?" Macy said.

Cat frowned at Macy.

He chuckled. "That's two, Babe."

Bella looked at them. "Two what?"

"Punishments," Cat said and growled.

Bella had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. "I need a few drinks, Sir."

Macy nodded. "All right. What do you need?"

Bella gave him a short list of drinks. When he got back with them, she put them on her tray. "Hey, Sir, do you know when my master will be back?"

Macy nodded. "He called earlier. He's on his way now. He said it would take a few hours."

Bella nodded. "Okay. Thank you." She bumped her hip with Cat's. "I'll be right back, Sister." God, she loved saying that.

For the next hour, Bella dodged people and was amazed she hadn't lost a drink yet. On her way back to the bar, she collided with someone and dropped her tray when a sharp pain in her side made her gasp, stop suddenly, and drop her tray. She had no idea what just happened and what would have caused it. She reached for the spot and was surprised to feel something sticky. She looked at her fingers, and it took a moment to comprehend it was blood.

"Oh, my God, Bella!" Hannah screamed. "What happened, and where is the blood coming from?"

"My side. I felt a sharp pain. I didn't know I was cut until I saw the blood."

Hannah grabbed her arm and dragged her to the bar. "Sit down, Sister."

Her friend helped her sit on one of the stools. Bella could feel the blood run down her side and then her leg.

"Macy!" Hannah shouted.

Macy came over with a frown. "What's wrong? I can hear the panic in your tone."

"Bella is bleeding."

Macy's brows snapped together. "Bleeding? Like menstrual cycle?"

Bella saw the tears on Hannah's face.

Hannah shook her head. "On her side. She said she felt a sharp pain, and then when she touched it, her hand came away with blood."

"Fuck," Macy bellowed for Jake.

"What's up?" Jake asked.

"Bella is hurt."

"How?" Jake asked.

Macy was grabbing some clean towels. "We don't know what caused it, but she had a pain, and it's bleeding. Check out her side."

Bella shook her head when Jake tried to move her hand.

"Fuck. It's bad, Macy," Jake said.

"I feel like I want to lie down," Bella said. She heard several voices but concentrated on staying upright and conscious.

Jake pressed a clean towel over the wound, making her suck in her breath. He wouldn't budge when she tried to push him away.

"Sweetheart," Jake said. "We have to slow the bleeding down."

"It hurts."

"I know."

"I'll call an ambulance," Macy said.

"No, it will be quicker if we drive there. Call Link, and he can drive the car while I take care of her."

Macy nodded and pulled his phone out. He listened for a moment. "He's headed this way."

"I'll be fine, guys. Don't worry so much."

Macy and Jake glanced at each other.

"What's going on?" Cat said as she walked up.

"Bella is injured," Hannah said.

"How?"

"She got cut somehow," Hannah guessed.

Bella heard a gasp.

"My God!" Cat yelled. "I stepped into a puddle of blood. What are you guys doing? She's bleeding a lot."

Macy narrowed his eyes. "Babe, we're taking care of it. Let them leave, and I'll clean you up. Then, I want the two of you in the sub lounge for the rest of the night."

"I agree," Jake told Hannah.

Cat rubbed her back, and it helped settle her.

Link ran up. "Let's go. You can tell me what's happening in the car."

Jake lifted her into his arms, and the three hurried out the side door, which was closer to the vehicles. Link helped get them in the back seat and then raced to start the car and pull out.

"You guys, I'm getting blood everywhere. It will ruin your seats," she murmured drowsily.

"Leave it to a sub to think of that when she's hurt," Jake said.

"Ow, ow, ow."

Jake tightened his hold on her. "I have to press hard, Sweetheart. I'm sorry. I hate hurting you, but we must stop the blood."

"I want my Master," she cried.

"I know. Macy is getting in touch with him now. He'll meet us there."

"Tell him not to speed. I don't want him in an accident."

Both men snorted.

"Yeah, like that will happen. He'll be trying to get here as soon as humanly possible," Link said.

They pulled up to the Emergency Room doors, and Link rushed around yelling for someone as he helped her and Jake out of the car.

"What's the problem?" a nurse asked.

"She was cut, and it's bleeding a lot," Jake said.

"Yes, I can see the drops on the floor. Let's get her into a cubicle and undressed."

The nurse called for a few other people, who came running. They set her on the gurney and started pulling her clothing off.

"Wait," she said, but her voice was so weak they couldn't hear her.

She was naked within a minute, with a blanket covering her lower half. They turned her on her good side, and Jake held her hand.

"It's going to be okay," he said close to her ear.

She nodded and sniffed. She was trying to be brave, but all she felt was seizing panic. She knew she wouldn't feel better until Caden got there.

She vaguely heard that she was cut and it was going to take a lot of stitches to close the wound. She never had stitches before and didn't want them now.

"Can't they just put a Band-Aid on it, Jake?" she asked.

Jake snorted. "No, Sweetheart."

"Are you her husband?" the doctor asked.

Jake shook his head. "No, just a friend, but her husband will be here shortly."

"Okay. We're going to sedate her…"

"No," she said.

"Miss, the wound is over your ribs, so it's going to be painful even with Novocain," the doctor said.

"I don't want to sleep. I want my Master."

Jake nodded at the doctor. "Give it to her. I know her husband would want that."

"Jake…"

"Enough. You'll do what you're told." He softened his words with a kiss on her forehead.

Within seconds, her eyes closed, and the world disappeared. She'd be fine when Caden got there.