“Nothing, I’m good.”
He pursed his lips. “You’re in a hospital, in a shitload of pain. There’s gotta be something I can get for you to help take your mind off it.”
I lifted a brow. “You’re in a shitload of pain, too, Nitro. How about you sit your ass down and just be with me? That would help me take my mind off it.”
He gave me the look that told me I’d amused him. “We’re not talking about me. We’re discussing you. Give me something here, Vegas.”
“Oh dear Lord,” Monroe said. “You two are too much for me. I might head into work and see what I’ve missed over the last few days if you’re cool with that, babe.”
I nodded. “Yes, you should go. But bring me more Milo tonight, okay?”
“Fuck,” Nitro muttered. “I ask you what you want and you give me nothing. I can get you fucking Milo.” He stared at me with frustration, and I had to contain my laughter.
Monroe grinned. “She has a way of annoying the fuck out us, right? Never wants to be a burden, blah, blah, blah. Good luck, you’re gonna need it. But I’m telling you now, big fella, you bring her Milo, and I’ll make you hurt. The Milo is our thing.”
With that, she grabbed her bag and exited the room while I laughed and Nitro stared after her with an expression I couldn’t quite read.
When he turned back to me, he jerked his head in the direction she’d left. “You two definitely have the same genes.”
“Does that mean you like her?” Randall had hated Monroe. He couldn’t stand her “tell it like it is” manner and it had been awful trying to bring them together.
“I don’t think we’re gonna have a problem, but she’s dreaming if she thinks I’m not getting you Milo.”
“You didn’t really answer my question,” I said softly, realising how important it was to me that he got on with her. They were my two people; I needed them to like each other.
“Vegas, anyone who’s important to you is important to me. But in answer to your question, yes, I like her. I imagine she’ll frustrate the hell out of me the same as you do, but I respect a woman who doesn’t take shit, and Monroe strikes me as that kind of woman.”
He had me at “anyone who’s important to you is important to me.” That was what family did for each other. And it was exactly what I needed to hear. Family was everything.
45
Nitro
“Broken” by Seether
The sound of my boots on the hospital lino was the only noise to be heard as I made the long trek to Marilyn’s room. I’d spent the day with Tatum and only left once I knew she was safe with Monroe. I’d ignored the filthy glare Monroe gave me when she spied the Milo tin in the room. And I made no apologies to her. No fucking way was I not getting Tatum what she wanted. I almost laughed, though, when she placed a Milo tin next to mine. I liked the fact she stood her ground.
I rounded a corner and a few moments later entered Marilyn’s room. She sat in the chair in the corner with her eyes closed, but they fluttered open when she heard me.
She shot out of the chair and came to me, flinging her arms around me. “Oh my God! I thought I’d never see you again!” She sobbed into my chest as I ignored the bolt of pain her hug inspired and wrapped my arms around her.
Smoothing her hair, I waited for her to let me go. I’d hold her for as long as she needed, though.
When she stopped sobbing and moved out of my embrace, she looked up at me with a questioning expression. I knew what she was asking, and I nodded. “He can’t hurt you ever again, Lynny. I made sure of it.”
Her hand flew to her face and she burst into tears again. I pulled her back to me, and we held each other for an eternity. We’d been through so much shit together. We were always there for each other to the best of our abilities and always would be.
With my arms tight around her and my hand cradling her head, I said, “You should have told me what he did to you.”
Stiffening, she tried to pull away.
“No,” I said as I held her tighter. “Don’t do that. You have nothing to be ashamed about or to hide from. He did that shit to you. You did nothing wrong. You don’t hide away. Ever.”
Her hands gripped my shirt and she buried her head in my chest while she cried.
“You hear me, Lynny? This isn’t on you. I’ll do everything in my power to help you believe that.” I took a step back and forced her to look up at me. Her tear-stained face shattered me all over again. “Promise me you’ll let me help.”
She nodded. “I promise.”