“I know.” Brady gathered her back into his arms, then sat in her spot, cradling her in his lap, pulling her in so tight she couldn’t breathe. “You’re my hero,” he murmured against her temple.

“I want to go home now.”

“You’re going to the hospital, sweetheart,” Dell said, getting into the driver’s seat.

“No,” she murmured. She hated hospitals. They reminded her of losing her grandma, but as she looked down, she saw that she was bleeding right through Brady’s shirt, and her world spun.

“It’s okay,” Brady said, holding her close. “I’ve got you now.”

That was a good thing, because that last little pinpoint of light faded, and Lilah fell into the darkness.

B rady entered Lilah’s bedroom balancing a tray. Nurse Nightingale, that was him. He set the tea and toast on her nightstand and eyed the white bandage on her arm, covering the spot where the bullet had penetrated her biceps.

“Lucky lady,” the doctor had said, and the words rang in Brady’s ears now as he sat at her side.

She was white, pasty, and out cold.

The eighteen stitches, she’d managed. Dealing with the police and their questions as she’d assured everyone that one, she hadn’t been trespassing, and two, that Mr. Newberry had not in fact been trying to kill her, she’d handled as well. Sitting in a hospital room waiting to be released, though-that had been torture given how she’d hounded the hospital staff for her release papers.

The doctor had finally released her with a whispered “Good luck” to Brady beneath his breath as he left.

It had taken all three of them, Adam, Dell, and himself, to bring her home. And a silent battle of wills to see who would get to stay to take care of her. But then Adam had been called out on an S &R call.

“I’m not leaving,” Dell said.

“Yes,” Lilah said groggily from her bed where Brady had set her. “You are.”

“Lil-”

“Don’t, Dell. I’m too tired to fight with you, but if you want tears, I’ll work some up.”

Dell grimaced. “But-”

“I’ll cry all over you,” Lilah promised weakly as Brady pulled off her boots and covered her with a quilt. “Besides, you heard the doctor. I’m going to be fine. I just want to sleep off the drugs he gave me.”

“Actually,” Dell said, “he didn’t say you were fine. He said you were a pain in his-”

“Go,” Lilah said.

“You were shot because of me,” he said tightly. “I sent you out there.”

“I was shot because I didn’t realize I looked like a raccoon from fifty yards. I want to be alone, Dell. That’s all.”

Dell looked pointedly at Brady.

Brady stared back at him evenly. He wasn’t going anywhere. Not with the fury still churning within him.

She’d been shot.

She was the best thing to ever happen to him, even though he’d tried like hell to push her away. In fact, he’d very nearly succeeded at that, and she could have died today.

“Oh, for God’s sake,” Lilah burst out. “If you both don’t get the hell out of here ”-she looked at Dell-“I’ll sic Lorraine on you.”

Dell paled. “That’s just mean. If he’s staying, I’m staying.”

“He’s not.” She held her ground. “Lorraine,” she said again, softly, with a steel undertone.

Brady was impressed. Especially when Dell caved like a cheap suitcase, giving in with gracious defeat as he kissed her cheek and made her promise to call him if she needed anything.

He passed Jade coming in at the doorway. Jade had the latest issue of Cosmo. “It’s what I brought my sisters when they had babies,” she said to Lilah. “Wasn’t sure what to bring for a gunshot wound. Which, by the way? Pretty damn cool.” She eyed Brady. “Do you think if I get myself shot, I can get a bodyguard that looks like him?”

Brady decided to ignore that. “See if you can get her to agree to rest. She’s not real good at that.”

“No kidding. She thinks she’s the Energizer Bunny.” Jade looked Lilah over, still speaking to Brady. “You could try bribing her. Your woman has a love affair with crap food. You try that yet?”

“Excuse me,” Lilah said. “His woman?”

Jade grinned and dropped the Cosmo on the nightstand. “I can see you’re well taken care of here. I’ll see you tomorrow, Lil.”

“I’m my own woman!” Lilah yelled after Jade, who merely laughed and shut the cabin door.

Alone now, Lilah turned her glassy eyes on an admittedly smug Brady.

“You heard me,” she said. “Out with the others.”

“No.”

She arched a brow. Or she tried. But she was doped up pretty damn good. Finally she gave up with a sigh and rubbed her forehead as if it hurt. “I don’t want to hear no. I want to hear the sound of the door hitting you on your very fine ass as you follow everyone out.”

“Yeah, that was pretty impressive how you managed to kick them out.” He sat in the chair in the corner of the room and crossed his arms.

She attempted a glare but she was drooping. “Dammit. My eyes keep closing.”

He blew out a breath and leaned in to stroke her hair from her face. “Let them.”

“You… ”

She drifted off before she could finish the sentence, which undoubtedly was for the best. He waited another five full minutes to be sure, then pulled the quilt off her. Without hesitation, he stripped her out of her bloodstained clothes. He went through her dresser for something comfortable for her to sleep in.

One of his T-shirts lay neatly folded on top of her pj’s. He stared down at it for a beat, discombobulated by the sight.

She had one of his shirts.

Something happened inside him at that, a warmth spread through his chest. It felt good and hurt all at the same time. “You’re killing me,” he murmured.

Turning back to the bed, he slipped the shirt-his shirt-over her head, taking care of her arm as he tucked her in.

“Glad you stayed,” she murmured. “You’re the only one who can ever make me feel better.”

He stared down at her pale, beautiful face, unable to think past the surprise of that. Surprise and… satisfaction and pride as well, that he’d given her something, after all.

Himself.

He hadn’t meant to, God knew he’d tried not to, but he had. He sat on the chair again, and with Twinkles at his feet, settled in to watch her breathe.

Lilah woke up disoriented and groggy. Her clock said four, and given the blackness at the window, it was A.M. and she’d just slept for twelve straight hours. There was a dark figure sitting near her.

“Just me,” Brady said.

She let out a breath and swiped a hand over her face. “I was having a weird dream. I was shot-”

“Yes.”

She let out a breath. Right. Not a dream.

He rose and offered her a pretty pink pill and two white chalky ones. “Take these and go back to sleep.”

“No, I don’t need them.” Her arm was throbbing, but she hated the way they made her feel.

“You’re taking the antibiotic, Lilah.”

“Fine.” She swallowed it with the water he handed her, then grabbed at him when he started for the door, ridiculously panicked over the thought of him going, when earlier she’d wanted nothing more than to be alone. “Don’t.” To make sure, she pulled him over her.

“Careful,” he murmured, holding his weight off her by the palms he had planted on either side of her hips. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

She ran her good hand over him, humming in pleasure at the feel of his biceps, taut and straining. Yes, she needed more of that. She tried to pull him closer, but he held back from full contact.

Stubborn man.

She tugged again, wanting a kiss. Needing a kiss.

“Lilah-”

“Please,” she whispered, her hand curling around his neck, pulling him in. “Please, Brady.”

“Just one.” He let their lips meet, lightly.

“Mmm,” she murmured, the small brushing closed-mouthed kisses warming her from the inside out. But then it wasn’t enough and she opened her mouth and touched her tongue to his lower lip.