Chapter 22: The same morning: Her boyfriend

CHAPTER 22

MIKI

THE SAME MORNING – HER BOYFRIEND

A fter I hung up on Marko, I turned to see Eilidh sitting staring at me.

"How are you doing, Little Miss Red?" I asked as I leaned over and kissed her forehead.

She smiled and chuckled.

"Like I've been hit over the back of the head and dragged from a burning building."

My heart clenched at her words, but at least she was attempting to joke about things now and wasn't sobbing her heart out like she had done earlier.

Luckily, she only had minor smoke inhalation and although she coughed quite a bit after I'd pulled her out of the fire and she'd woken up, it didn't seem to be an issue for her now.

However, I was concerned about her head injury.

The doctor was keeping her in the hospital for observation in case of a concussion and although he had wanted me to leave after an offer to provide a very substantial donation to the hospital; he agreed I could remain with her.

My stomach was still in knots over the whole situation, and I could only imagine what my poor Little Miss Red was feeling after losing her home. I was furious that those bastards she worked with had attempted to kill her.

When I'd called Marko, I told him to make sure they were being followed, and we'd got some of Jim MacArthur's men involved to help our guys. I was more determined than ever now to bring these fuckers down.

As soon as I knew Eilidh was okay and I'd got her out of here, I'd step up my plans to do just that.

There was a knock on the door and a couple of young, uniformed police officers came in.

After introducing themselves, they separated us to take our statements. I didn't like it, but since we remained in the same room and I didn't need to let my Little Miss Red out of my sight, I didn't protest.

Because of the nature of the attack, they had wanted to post a uniformed officer outside her room to stand guard just in case the person came back to finish the job. I refused. The thought of any police officer keeping watch over her while she slept filled me with dread. She wasn't safe with any of them because we didn't know who could be trusted.

Glancing at Eilidh, I saw her gulp. She was likely thinking the same thing.

"No need, I'll remain with her, and I will post one of my own men outside," I stated. I'd planned to do that all along anyhow.

Naturally, they weren't happy with that at first, but when Eilidh agreed, they capitulated and left.

"I will keep you safe, Eilidh," I said.

"I know you will," she replied and stood up to embrace me.

My heart swelled with pride knowing that she trusted me, and I hugged her tightly.

Not long after, Marko and Vlad arrived.

"This is Vlad, my bodyguard," I said, introducing him.

"Nice to meet you," Eilidh said with a small smile.

Vlad kept his usual stoic expression firmly in place, but he gave her a slight nod of acknowledgement.

Marko, on the other hand, smiled widely when he saw her.

"You gave us all quite a scare, Little Miss Red," he said.

"Tell me about it," I mumbled, sitting down next to Eilidh on the bed.

She smirked at me, and my heart clenched.

"Why were you at my house tonight?" she finally asked.

"I needed to see you. I couldn't wait any longer," I replied truthfully.

A slow grin spread across her face, and she blushed.

It was cute, and I couldn't resist leaning down to capture her lips.

"Oh, here we go again!"

The sound of Marko's snigger and a grunt, which I was sure came from Vlad, was accompanied by the loud clearing of a throat.

A middle-aged nurse stood at the bottom of the bed with a tray in hand and an expression that could freeze hell.

"This is a hospital, not a hotel. Perhaps you can leave the kissing until a more appropriate time and place," the prudish old bird said in a haughty tone.

Biting back a smirk, I got up and moved to stand beside Marko.

Eilidh's cheeks flamed with embarrassment, but her eyes were filled with mirth as she took the pain medication the nurse gave her.

The second the old prude left, we all burst into laughter. Even Vlad sniggered before his face settled back into the poker face he usually wore.

Laughing made Eilidh wince in pain and I rushed back to her side.

"You need to rest, baby," I told her as I adjusted her pillows behind her back to make her more comfortable.

The guys said goodbye to Eilidh and left the room. Marko was returning to the hotel to get back to work, but Vlad would remain here with us.

Eilidh had removed her wet clothing earlier and was now in one of those flattering hospital gowns, but I hadn't bothered with that. There was no way I was flashing my arse off in one of those things, but I'd enjoyed the few glimpses I'd got of Eilidh's. However, my clothes still stunk of smoke, so after the guys left, I popped into the little ensuite to change.

When I was done, Little Miss Red was just dropping off to sleep, and I had just settled into the chair beside her bed when the door burst open, and her corrupt partner, Martin Johnson, barged in.

We'd never met, of course, but I recognised him right away as I'd studied the photographs of all her colleagues to make sure I knew exactly who they were.

Eilidh roused as the fucker ignored me and sat in the chair on the opposite side of her bed. I barely held back my anger as I watched him to see what the fuck he was up to.

If he tried to hurt her, I would gladly murder the bastard. The only thing that stopped me from doing just that right now was that it was a hospital, so I gripped the sides of my chair and imagined it was his neck instead.

"Eilidh, sweetheart, I just heard from the uniforms that someone attacked you and torched your home. Are you alright?" he said, oozing false charm. He hugged her quickly, then moved away but kept hold of her hand.

My eyes narrowed, and I glared at him, daring to touch my woman. If he didn't remove his hand from hers this instant, I was going to rip the fucking thing off.

"I'm fine, thanks," she said, tugging her hand away.

"When they release you, come to stay with me until you get things sorted out," he told her, sitting on the bed beside her and continuing to ignore my presence.

Who the hell did this arsehole think he was?

"I'll take good care of you and keep you safe," he murmured before reaching his hand towards her face.

That was it!

I'd had enough. I shot to my feet. The movement finally drawing his attention.

"She will stay with me," I stated, keeping my tone controlled even though I wanted to strangle him. How dare the slimy creature put his hands on my woman?

This is a hospital, and he is still a police officer , I kept telling myself, trying to remain calm.

"Oh, and who are you?" the cocky bastard asked.

Eilidh was about to say something, but I jumped in before she could reply.

"Her boyfriend."

Eilidh's eyes flicked my way, and a look of shock crossed her face before she quickly hid it. Johnson didn't notice as he was too busy looking me up and down, a look of contempt on his face.

"Her boyfriend?" he asked, sneering at me in disbelief.

"Yes, that's right, he is," Eilidh smiled up at me long enough to ensure that Johnson noticed before turning her head towards him.

"So, you see, I am perfectly well looked after and quite safe. Thank you for coming to see me, Martin, but you can go home now. I'm fine," she told him before yawning widely.

"Yes, she is fine but tired and needs to rest, so as Eilidh said, you can leave now. Thanks for coming," I said through clenched teeth as I stepped over to the door and opened it for him, making it clear it was time for him to go.

"Are you the one who sent the roses?" he asked.

"Yes," I replied, lifting my chin in a silent challenge.

Huffing out a breath, he sneered again.

I moved towards him, ready to punch him in the mouth, but Vlad took that moment to step into view. He shook his head at me, and I forced myself to rein in my temper.

I'd deal with this prick another time.

Dismissing me, he turned his head back towards Eilidh.

"You know where I am if you need me," he told her, then thankfully left, glaring at me as he went.

Standing in the doorway, my hands tightly fisted, I watched him leave, and made myself a silent promise to myself that the next time we met, he wouldn't survive to walk away.

"It's a good job I got back in time, or we'd be having to explain why you'd killed a cop," Vlad said. "You're not normally so easily riled," he observed quietly.

Pushing a hand through my hair, I huffed out an annoyed breath. Vlad was right. I rarely ever lost my cool. Or at least not with anyone other than my siblings and Romi, but the events of the evening had taken its toll. I was exhausted, stressed and downright pissed, not to mention still suffering from the aftereffects of the terror I'd felt at almost losing Eilidh.

"The hospital shop only had pyjamas, but the ones I got should fit," Vlad said, handing me a bag.

"Go in to your woman and get some rest. I've got your back."

Nodding in gratitude, I left him sitting on a chair directly outside the room and closed the door.

"Boyfriend, huh?"

Eilidh asked with a smirk.

"Oh, I intend to be your boyfriend, Little Miss Red. In fact, I intend to be a lot more," I said, stalking towards her with a wicked grin.

"I intend to be your everything," I told her as I gently took her head in my hands.

Careful to avoid her sore spot, I kissed her. She moaned, and I climbed onto the bed with her. Stretching out beside her, we hugged and kissed until my cock threatened to burst out of my pants.

I was desperate to take her right there and then, but she was injured and exhausted and so finally I reluctantly pulled away. Eilidh tried to cling to me, but I gently remove her hands from me and stood.

"You need to sleep, baby."

"What about you?" she asked.

"I'll sleep in the chair," I told her, sitting back in the chair I'd settled in before.

"Why don't you come and lie here beside me?" she said.

Scooting over, she made room for me and patted the space.

"Come on. I'll rest better if your with me. Please?" she said with a mischievous pout.

How could I refuse?

It was a narrow single hospital bed, but I didn't mind getting up close and personal with my Little Miss Red, so I agreed.

Eilidh lay down and moved onto her side, and I pressed myself behind her, holding her close. She let out a satisfied sigh, and I smiled. This was the way I wanted things to be from now on.

"I can't believe that asshole came to see me!" she said.

"It had to be him, one of my other colleagues, or perhaps that man he was talking to the other night, who attacked me at the house."

I tensed.

"What man?"

She mumbled, "Shit," under her breath.

"Eilidh, what haven't you told me?" I asked through gritted teeth.

With a sigh, she relayed the story about following Martin and the conversation she'd heard with the mystery man.

Now I knew what had prompted her change of heart about working with me and exchanging information.

"You should have told me," I told her firmly.

"I know, but I wasn't sure if I could truly trust you at that time, or if my being in danger would really matter to you," she said.

Fuck!

"Eilidh, you being in danger very much matters to me. You matter to me! And you can trust me, I swear."

I turned her face toward me.

"Is there anything else you need to tell me?" I asked gently.

She shook her head.

"Good. You are special, Eilidh," I said, watching as her eyes widened, then she gulped and licked her bottom lip.

"I know we have only known each other for a short time, and we still have a lot to learn about one another, but I already have feelings for you. I've never felt as connected to anyone as I do to you, and I want very much to see where this relationship between us can go."

Little Miss Red blinked a few times. I hadn't wanted to lay all my cards on the table just yet, but I couldn't seem to stop myself as I stared into her eyes.

"Eilidh, I want a chance to really be with you. Is that something you would like?" I asked, holding my breath as I waited for her to respond.

"Yes," she said, smiling shyly.

Yes! I felt like leaping up and shouting for joy but refrained and settled for grinning at her instead.

"Good, and tomorrow, when you are feeling better, I'm going to show you exactly how I feel about you. But for now, you need to rest. We both do," I said, leaning over to brush a light kiss on her forehead.

Turning her back around, I settled in behind her again.

"Sleep, sweetheart."

Nodding, she snuggled close and after a few minutes, her breathing changed, and she drifted off as I held her tight.