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Royal looked ravaged and battered Like a fragile, broken toy all wrapped up in bandages and covered in black and blue rayish tone, which only enhanced the twin black circles around her eyes and the nasty gash that had little white strips of tape holding it shut over one of her eyebrows The arm that was injured athed up like a own and I could see the purple ainst the seat belt had left

"If it isn’t uys" Her words were barely a whisper and I could see how et theood hand in his as he pressed his lips to the top of her head I saw hi to her that I couldn’t hear Whatever it was had tears shining in Royal’s eyes and her squeezing his fingers

"I guess I finally have to get a new car" I knew she said it as a joke, but I couldn’t even smile at her I felt like I was frozen on the spot, helpless and ineffective while she lay there hurt and da realization that this was probably exactly how she felt after my accident

"Jesus, Royal You scared the shit out of me I almost fell down the stairs when Asa called and told me what happened"

She blinked her watery eyes at me as I took the steps needed to reach the other side of her hospital bed The corner of her , hero"

I blew out a pent-up breath "I know you do How about we ency room froer sticking out She let go of Asa’s hand long enough to hook her own pinkie around ently moved them up and down

"We can sure try" Her tone indicated that considering we both had a dangerous jobs the likelihood of that happening was sliht … well, would be if I could get myself back on the force

"I had Dom call your mom so she should be here shortly" She looked up at Asa and some silent couple communication happened that I was co secrets frolowered at them both and crossed my arms overdeal to have your boyfriend andthe circu and then shouted out in pain Asa put a hand on her shoulder and cut me a dark look "Roslyn and I don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things where her relationship with Royal is concerned I prefer not to be in the saetting Royal colinted with a danger I knew he had in him but I had never seen "I can play nice when I have to, cop"

Royal was looking at me with eyes that pleaded for me to just let it drop and because I loved her and she was hurt I decided to do just that

I sighed and told her, "I met Saint She see out for you"

She gave rin and lifted up the back of Asa’s hand so that she could rub it against her bruised cheek "You would like all the people I’ve let into ive them a chance"

I looked between the two of the around until the doctor came in and offered her a mild painkiller for her injuries They wanted her to stay for observation for the rest of the day, and it was clear Asa had things under control and that he ho she was going to turn to for comfort and help, as it should be I offered to stay to be the buffer when Royal’s mom showed, but Asa told me he could handle it and I was inclined to believe him There didn’t seem to be much this southern charuy with a cri asthe proof that was right in front offor ht have her heart, but it was obvious it was a fair trade because Royal held his just as tightly

It wasn’t until I was inthat I remembered I had somewhere else I was supposed to be that day I tried to call Lando’s cell phone and it went right to voice by the clinic but didn’t want to interrupt him if he ith another client, so I called his cell back and left a rae about why I had et any ideas that it had anything to do hat had gone down between us during my last session

When I pulled into , the sleek sports car that was parked in the spot next to it i a cup of Starbucks in his hand as he got out and made his way up to the sidehere I stopped to look at hi here, Orlando?" I sounded as surprised as I felt

He stopped before stepping off the curb, so for once I had a height advantage on him "I orried when you missed your appointment Your new trainer called a couple of times and it went to voicemail"

I frowned and pulled out ht to voicemail Royal was in a car accident and she’s in the hospital I turned my phone off when I was in her room"

His expression pulled into one of instant concern "Is she alright?"

"She’s been better Do you make house calls when all your clients are no-shows?" I wasn’t sure why I felt the need to prod him, but I couldn’t seem to stopunder his breath and I saw his long fingers tense around the white cup in his hand "I orried About you About us … I don’t know I’ve never stepped over the line with a client or awas okay"

His anxiousness was cute He was cute, and I was really glad he was here I never really had anyone else to lean on when shit went south I was usually the pillar that held everyone else up

"You and I are fine, Lando In fact, you and II can honestly say is A-OK at this point" I reached out a hand and put it on the side of his neck A thrill shot through ertips