“Just knowledge and experience,” I contradicted but the compliment meant a lot coming from Rael.
“Where do you want to put your patient?” he asked, looking down at her with a frown. “I know it sucks because it’s obvious she’s been trafficked or pimped out but I don’t trust her. This chick could have her own agenda and it might hurt my Nylah or Naomi.”
“Agreed.” Tired, I rubbed the back of my neck. “I need to get some sleep. I’m taking Mimi to bed.”
“Yeah, I hear you. I can take Desi to a guest room.”
“Thanks.” Walking over to the couch, I squatted down and picked up my girl, loving the way she instantly snuggled into my body for warmth.
“I’ll stay with Desi,” Snooki offered, “I promised Naomi.”
“She’ll appreciate it.”
“I know. She’s special, Patriot. Try to keep her close.”
“Already planning on it,” I announced, holding Mimi tighter.
Mimi didn’t wake up as I put her in our bed. I hated to break away from her but Desi needed that IV. Didn’t take long to get one going and then I ran pain medication as well as the saline solution to keep her hydrated.
Five minutes later I was out cold, one arm wrapped around the woman I was falling hard for, and nothing felt more right.
THE BED WAS EMPTY WHEN I yawned and stretched, blinking my eyes as they adjusted to the morning light streaming through the one window in my room. The blinds were shut but that didn’t stop the relentless light of the sun.
My mouth felt like it was full of sawdust and I slipped from the bed, staggering toward the bathroom to take a piss and a hot shower. I grabbed my cut, keys, and smokes from the dresser on the way out the door in search of Mimi only twenty minutes later.
The dining area was empty except for the pain in my ass that never failed to irritate me every chance he got. Rael was eating chow and I pulled my phone from my cut, hissing in displeasure when I noticed the time. 0950. How the fuck did I sleep for so long? Last time I slept in this late was after boot camp. My internal clock never let that happen. Must have been super relaxed holding Mimi most of the night.
“Fuck, Patriot, it’s almost ten.”
I flipped him off, snatching a slice of bacon from his plate.
“Asshole,” he complained as I walked into the kitchen.
Damn. I missed breakfast. The club girls were almost done cleaning up. Becca and Harley were finishing the dishes as Snooki sat on one of the stools and jotted down what appeared to be a grocery list.
She smirked when she saw my sour expression. “Mimi saved you a plate. It’s in the microwave.” She hopped up and snagged a mug, pouring coffee before passing it into my hand. “That girl is ol’ lady material.”
“She sure is,” I agreed, puffing out my chest. “Gonna make sure that happens soon.”
“Glad to hear it,” Snooki announced, spinning around to chat with the other girls. Becca, Harley, and LeeAnn all smiled as I warmed up my plate.
Mimi didn’t realize how deeply those words affected me when she said that the club girls didn’t know what kind of relationship we had. That wasn’t an issue anymore. I wanted her to be respected and treated right. I knew Snooki would take care of that now that I said Mimi was gonna be my ol’ lady.
She flashed me a smile and winked as I chuckled, knowing she asked on purpose in front of the others. No room for error or mistake. I made it clear who Mimi belonged to and what she meant to me.
Snooki was a genius.
Rael was waiting for me as I sat down to eat, shutting his trap for once until I was done. I gulped down half my coffee before he finally spoke.
“Desi is awake. Nylah called off work and went in to see her with Mimi. She was too upset to leave her sister after finding another trafficking victim.”
“Is that confirmed?” I asked, slightly irritated.
“No, but I’m certain that’s how Naomi and Desi met.”
“That’s the logical conclusion,” I agreed gruffly.
“Nylah said Mimi was crying this morning. Just giving you a heads up.”