Page 40 of Possessive Mr. Pen

I dismiss her with instructions to bring me a competent professional.

Hilary doesn’t correct me.

After multiple scans, tests, and lectures, the doctor gives me orders to rest for a full week and then to restrict myself to light exercise for a few weeks while the swelling subsides.

I nod like a good little boy even though I have no intention of following them.Despite fully seeing through my ruse, Hilary doesn’t call my bluff.

While I wait for treatment, my gladiator goddess stands watch over me.Her eyes roam over my exposed torso as I sit on the edge of the bed.

“Who did this and why did you let them?”she asks without preamble.

“I didn’t let them, but I did deserve it,” I admit.

“What could you have possibly done to deservethis?”she huffs with a gesture to my chest.

“I hurt someone I shouldn’t have.”

I lift our joined hands and kiss her knuckle.She shakes her head, still focused on my chest.

“Did you hurt them like this?”

“No.It may have been kinder if I had,” I murmur against the back of her hand.

“Still, this isn’t right.”My fierce warrior queen wouldn’t say that if she knew I was talking about hurting her, but I can’t force myself to tell her.

“You never answered.Who did this?”she demands.

“My Uncle Levi,” I shrug and wince.

“Well, let’s hope I don’t meet him before you heal,” she scowls.

I bite my tongue.She already knows my uncle, but if I reveal the truth, she might leave me here all alone.

Nightmarish memories hover on the edge of my thoughts.I’ll never survive if she abandons me here.

I drop our held hands into my lap and keep my focus on her as other nurses introduce themselves.

Slathered in ointments and wrapped in bandages, I give my gladiator goddess a pitiable look.She scoffs and tosses my shirt at me before locking herself in the bathroom and vowing not to emerge until I dress.

I growl, pull on my shirt, and button it as fast as possible.

My skin crawls as the hospital setting creeps into my senses.I don’t know how many days I spent lost and forgotten in the rundown hospital after my mom’s death, but even though this building is much newer and cleaner, the smells and sounds are too similar.

I knock on the bathroom door.

Footsteps sound in the hall.My heart lurches into my throat.

They found me.They’re coming to finish me off.No one will ever avenge my mother.

The door opens to reveal an angel’s face.

I push her inside, slam and lock the door, and shield her against the wall with my body.

My body.

My big body.

I’m an adult.A man.Not a child.Not a boy.