CHAPTER TWO

– ROWAN –

“Not all men are assholes,” my savior mumbles.

I can feel my cheeks heat from embarrassment. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. You saved me. It’s just that…I…it’s…ugh. Sorry. Not to mention, I didn’t even properly introduce myself. Well, you obviously know who I am with you guys having my gym under surveillance and everything that went down. I think the nurses said your name was Dwight. Is that correct?”

Slightly adjusting myself, I lean in his direction and hold my hand out for him to shake. “Hi. I’m Rowan Harper. Thanks for saving me. I really appreciate it.”

His big hand engulfs mine. “Dwight O’Shea. It’s my job, and pleasure, darlin’. I would say you can repay me by going out on a date with me, but you just burned down the bridge I was about to cross when you said you weren’t going to rely on any man again.”

I pull my hand from his and smack his shoulder before sinking back down into the mattress. “You’re the exception. You saved my life without wanting anything in return…or are you here to collect? Wanting a date?” I frown and wonder out loud, “Are you expecting me to pay for you if we go out to dinner?”

“Woman,” he snarls and has an offended look on his face. “What the hell? I wanted a date because I think you’re hot as fuck. I breathed air into your mouth and now I keep staring at your lips. I want to fucking rub my mouth against yours to get a taste ’cause I was too busy saving your life earlier today. There’s no money involved, a favor, or anything else. I just want to get to fucking know you.”

He jolts from his chair and shakes his head. “I’ll go. With the Caddy situation still unsure I’m going to put a guy outside of your room to make sure you’re safe.”

He strides to the door and I’m still processing what just happened when the door opens and a nurse steps into the room. No. Not a nurse. It’s Caddy wearing a freaking nurse’s uniform.

“Motherfucking bitch,” Dwight snarls and lunges forward.

She shuts the door in his face and he bumps against it. Swearing loudly he opens it and grabs his phone. He has it against his ear when he steps out and wildly glances around him. I expect him to run after Caddy, but to my surprise, he steps back into my room and closes the door.

“Prez, it’s me. Caddy was just here.” He glances down. “There’s a syringe on the fucking floor and I’m guessing she came to kill Rowan. I told you she’s a vindictive bitch. No. I didn’t fucking catch her. She was gone the second she stepped out into the hallway, completely blended in. Yeah. No. I’m not going to leave Rowan and be sure to put the old ladies on lockdown. Yeah. I appreciate it. Thanks.”

“Did that really just happen?” I muse as he strolls closer to the bed. “How is that possible? Seriously, what the actual fuck? First, they tried to take over my business to organize an underground fight, then they tried to kill me, then I luckily was saved, and then she pops back into my freaking hospital room to finish me off because everything else failed? I repeat, how the hell is that possible? That shit only happens in the movies and I kid you not…my life isn’t interesting enough to turn into a damn movie.”

He rubs the back of his neck. “I have no clue how she found out what room you were in. She was wearing a nurse’s uniform and she’s vindictive and inventive, a very dangerous combination.”

“I didn’t do shit to the bitch,” I snarl and instantly regret it. “Sorry. I know it’s not your fault.”

He sighs and sinks back into the chair next to my bed. “I talked to my prez. He’s going to send two brothers over who will stay outside of your room. I swear I’ll make sure you’re safe until we catch her.”

“Why didn’t you go after her?” I wonder.

The corner of his mouth twitches. “A brother of mine is brilliant with computers and can check security cameras to track her. She blended right in and I instantly lost her, but he can run everything through a program that will pull her face out of all the others.”

He gets up from his chair and pure panic hits my veins when he takes a step toward the door. “Where are you going? You can’t leave. You have to stay here with me. Please.”

I cut my desperate plea off by biting my bottom lip.

Closing my eyes I manage to mutter, “When the hell did I turn into a needy, clingy bitch?”

“Hey now,” he murmurs so close to me I can feel his hot breath on my face.

The first thought that hits me when I open my eyes is out of my mouth before I can hold it back. “When did you have chocolate?”

A chuckle rumbles from him and he pulls half a chocolate bar from his pocket. “I snagged it from the vending machine when the doctors were checking you.”

I greedily take the chocolate from his hand and only now notice his clothes. “You look like a doctor as well in those scrubs.”

He winces. “Thank fuck my phone is waterproof. My clothes were drenched when I arrived with you and they offered me dry scrubs. A prospect will be here any minute with a change of clothes for both of us. I’m staying with you until you’re discharged tomorrow morning. Then I think it’s best to take you with me to the clubhouse. If the bitch is vindictive enough to come to the fucking hospital? I’d say she’ll risk killing you another day, another time. It’s your choice, though. I mean, Marlene is there too. Those two grew up as sisters, but Marlene was actually kidnapped as a baby and Caddy knows she’s not her sister by blood. The bitch killed her own damn father because she was jealous of the way he cared for her sister. Anyway, if you’d rather go home I can arrange for some protection. It’s your choice.”

“I don’t think I have a choice with what just happened,” I grumble.

His face grows distant and he’s wearing the same angry and annoyed look he had right before Caddy entered the room. When I insulted him for wanting payment in the form of a date because he saved me. All the while he just wanted a date because he was interested in me and wanted to get to know me. Dwight turns away and with everything going on, I find myself wanting and needing him.

Its why I tell him, “I accept.”

He turns to face me and asks, “Accept what? The decision to go to the clubhouse with me or a bodyguard in your house?”

“You,” I clarify. “I want to go on a date. Hey, and maybe Caddy will dismiss me if I’m dating someone else. She was pissed because Alvin…Sylvan was still hung up on me after I dumped him for cheating on me with her. Gosh, this is twisted. Why should she be pissed at me? All this time I thought we were dating but instead, he was two-timing both of us.”

Dwight regains his seat. “I’m all for offering myself to be your fake boyfriend to throw her off, all while it gives us a chance to get to know one another. Though, don’t get your hopes up that it’ll throw off Caddy. She’s a crazy bitch who will probably blame you for Sylvan’s death. I was there when she wanted him to kill you. He was the one who walked out to the sea, fuck knows why.”

“I’m just glad I’m still here and in one piece.” I glance around me. “I’d rather be in my own bed, though. Why can’t I go home?”

“Lung problems can develop hours after. I’d rather have you at the clubhouse, since your health comes first. We’ll also be keeping an eye on you in the next couple of days, just to make sure you’re okay.”

I sigh. “How do you know all this? Shit. The doctor mentioned it, right? My head is a bit fuzzy.”

“That’s why you need to rest and let me worry about everything.” He gently nudges my shoulder to lie down.

“Fine,” I huff and snuggle back against the pillow. “Just don’t go anywhere, okay?”

He softly chuckles. “I wouldn’t dare. Besides, we made a pact, right? I’m your fake boyfriend for the time being to throw the bitch off.”

“Yes.” I grin and close my eyes. “I’m your fake girlfriend. So, be sure to have another chocolate bar for me when I wake up. And don’t eat half of it this time. I only allow myself treats when I’m sick or a few days before I have my period. Any other day I eat clean.”

“Rest.” He brushes his knuckles against my cheek. “I’ll handle everything else.”

I sigh in contentment, knowing he’s true to his word. He might still be a complete stranger, but he’s a stranger who risked his own life to save mine. And within this moment I don’t trust anyone else except Dwight.