Chapter 9

9

Roark

A week goes by. Penny and Cameron both come to visit me in the hospital. I think Penny even stays the night, but it's hard to tell because the hours bleed into each other. Day and night have very little meaning.

But as I feel better and better, they stop coming.

Jaxon comes to visit with his and Ryder's wife, Olivia. Jaxon and Olivia share that thanks to Penny's information, law enforcement and the general public are learning just how corrupt Clive Oberon was all along. Hunter's Guild had no idea, so Ironwood might try taking another bounty hunting job from them in the future. Jaxon and Ryder plan on being much more selective, however.

We make small talk about the newer recruits for Ironwood.

"We have some promising men and women joining up," Jaxon says.

Olivia's gray eyes sparkle as she says, "You and Cameron won't be the newbies any longer."

I want to ask if either of them has seen Cameron lately, or Penny, but I don't want to make the conversation awkward.

Clearing his throat, Jaxon says, "We could find you another bodyguard to pair up with on training and fitness, maybe even on some jobs."

"What?" I say sharply. "Why?"

"Well, it's no secret that Cameron gets on your nerves?—"

"That was before," I say.

"Before…" Jaxon prompts.

"Before he saved my life. Before we worked so well together to take down Oberon and his mercenaries."

"I see." Jaxon keeps his face straight, but Olivia grins.

I guess the conversation is already a little awkward, so I go ahead and ask the question. "Have you seen Cameron lately?"

"No," Jaxon says, surprised. "Hasn't he been here?"

"It's been a couple of days, so I'm sure I'll see him soon."

Olivia nudges Jaxon in the ribs, and he says, "Oh, right. So we know you'll need a little care at home once they set you free of this place. You're welcome to stay with Ryder, Olivia, and me. Between the three of us, someone can always be nearby."

I don't want to take them up on their offer, but I might not have much of a choice. Ironwood has already promised to take care of me with whatever funds I need for managing my recovery and rehab, but I'd much rather accept the care of friends than pay strangers to do it.

"Just think about it," Olivia says. "You're always welcome at our place."

"I appreciate it," I say, feeling far more emotional than I should.

Roark

A couple of days later, I'm doing laps up and down the hospital corridor with Squid, one of my new buddies from Ironwood. He keeps griping at me to slow down before I break the world land speed record.

I flip him off and keep going. My doctor said I'll be released today.

When we get back to my hospital room, three people are waiting inside: my doctor, Cameron, and Penny. They all turn around at once when I step into the doorway.

Squid gives me a fist bump. "See you at work soon, I hope."

"You too, man. Thanks."

He takes off, and now I can focus on the people in front of me. I enter the hospital room and sit down on the edge of my bed, careful not to look tired—I don't want the doctor to think I'm too weak to be released.

My doctor speaks first. "Your recovery has been astounding, Mr. Willis, probably because of how you're pushing yourself to keep moving. If you have a care network set up at home, you have my signature to be discharged."

Shit. Other than Jaxon and Olivia floating the idea past me, I haven't set up a care network or anything like it. "I?—"

"He's coming home with us," Penny says.

She says it with certainty and conviction. And Cameron doesn't seem at all surprised by her offer.

Also…coming home with us ? The two of them have an us . They're together.

Where does that leave me?

Penny sits on the edge of the bed with me and takes my hand in hers. I'm trying not to read anything into the gesture.

"Okay, so we all need to be on the same page with regard to care," the doctor says, giving Penny and Cameron a shrewd look. "Mr. Willis, is it all right to discuss your health and recovery now?"

"It's fine," I say. "They can hear everything."

She gives us the rundown on my care and rehab. Meds for pain and swelling, physical activity, when I can return to work, what to expect with physical therapy for my shoulder, all of it.

After handing over some print-outs of her instructions, the doctor says, "Do you have any questions?"

"How about sexual activity?" Penny asks.

I give her a sharp look, but she stares back at me, unapologetic.

"You're cleared for that, but take it easy at first," the doctor says, her eyes twinkling.

Does it even matter? Or maybe the two of them are together and they want to bring me in for occasional fun. Fuck that. I'm not going to remain on the outside of their relationship. I thought I would do anything to be with Penny, but I don't think my soul could survive on only scraps of her love while she gives the main course to Cameron.

The doctor runs through a few more cautions and instructions, signs a paper, and says, "You're clear to go, Mr. Willis. Please contact me if you have any other questions or concerns about your recovery."

I thank her and then she's gone, leaving me alone with Penny and Cameron.

I'm not sure what to say. Fucking hell. I'm getting too many mixed messages.

"Am I really coming home with you?" I ask. "You didn't even talk to me about this."

"Yes, you're coming with us," Cameron says. "We're a fucking team, man. You have to know that."

I shrug, because I don't actually know that.

"Where were you guys?" I ask, hating the vulnerable note in my voice. Fuck, a man gets shot and he turns into an insecure mess. Daddy dom fail.

Instead of answering, Cameron dangles a key in front of my face.

"What the fuck is this?" I ask.

"The key to our apartment," he says. "All three of us."

I can't remember how to talk. It isn't making sense. "Our…apartment…"

"You don't have to move in," Penny says, "and if you hate it, we can find a new place later. But we wanted to get started as fast as possible. We just know , and we know you belong with us."

I shake my head. Not in refusal, but disbelief.

"We've spent the past few days packing and unpacking," she continues. "We wanted to get the place ready before you were released, so you could come too, and we could take care of you."

"You two moved fast," I say slowly.

Penny's smile falters.

"But I'm in," I add, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. "All the way. Goddamn, when I thought the two of you were doing your own thing and didn't want me around…"

I don't want to finish the thought. I was crushed.

We gather my things and wait for a nurse to bring a wheelchair. Cameron wheels me down the hall. I'd complain about not walking out on my own, but Penny walks ahead of me and I get a better view of her ass this way, so it isn't all bad.

"Penny," Cameron says.

She turns slightly as she walks. "Yeah?"

"Tell him," Cameron says.

"Tell me what?" I ask.

I can hear the wicked grin in Cameron's voice when he says, "Tell him about that special thing you're wearing."

Her cheeks turn pink as she leans down to whisper in my ear. "Daddy Cameron made me wear a plug in my ass so that when I fuck you hello, it's extra tight."

"Fuck," I say as my dick hardens. "That bullet didn't kill me, but you just might, little girl. I can't wait to fuck your tight cunt."

Her pupils widen, but then she smirks. "I don't know if you're ready. Maybe we should get a second opinion on whether you're healed enough for sex."

I give her my best dominant glare. I bet I can manage the stamina for administering a spanking. Penny must see the intent in my expression, because she gulps and looks down. Little brat. I'll get her later.

Cameron

I wasn't sure how Roark would react to the news that we all want to try living together. Two weeks ago, if someone had asked me to describe him, the word "spontaneous" would not have crossed my lips.

On the drive to the apartment, he's mostly quiet except when he says, "Penny, where did you hide the files, anyway?"

"Oh…it was stupid, really. I sewed a flash drive into the strap of my backpack. Risky, I know."

"It was smart," Roark says. "I didn't even feel a lump when I was searching your things."

Penny glows under his praise, but we don't have time to discuss much more because we've pulled into our building's parking garage. I watch Roark for a reaction as we ride up in an elevator to our floor, then walk down a short hallway to our door.

Roark looks shell-shocked as he steps inside. It's not a cheap apartment, but with three people we'll be able to make it work. Besides, we needed a place with a master bedroom big enough for a Cal King bed.

My heart trips in my chest. I want him to like it. I want him to see us as a team, as a triad, a relationship of three. Our time in that cabin profoundly changed me and the way I view Roark. But maybe it wasn't the same for him.

Penny breaks the silence with a nervous laugh. "Well? Say something…"

"You set all of this up for the three of us?" Roark asks, his voice hushed in wonder. "You really want me here, too?"

Nodding, Penny says, "It's the only thing I want—all three of us together."

"Most people would date for a bit before moving in with each other," he says.

"But most people didn't watch one of their trio get shot in the chest," I say. "It changed things for me."

"Me, too," Penny adds, her brown eyes shining. "I don't want to wait to start the rest of my life with the two of you at my side."

Roark inhales deeply. "Then I guess I'm home. Show me the bedroom, little girl. I want to see how tight that plug made your sweet pussy."