Page 23 of The Monster’s Weakness

It was surreal having Caleb back in her life. She’d convinced herself he was gone, that he’d used her. Everything was perfect now. Or was it?

He had a few crude stitches on his side, not a lot, but how did he get them? He had a bad gash above his eyebrow and several other bumps and bruises. He’d slept all night and ate like he’d been starved in the morning. She had so many questions, but part of her was afraid to push him away. Maybe ignorant bliss was better than being alone.

“You said you hated hospitals,” she said.

They were sitting in her little living room after breakfast and their shower-with-benefits.

“I do.”

“How’d you get the stitches then?”

He was still gloriously bare-chested, just wearing a pair of boxer briefs. Caleb twisted slightly to look over at his side.

“Oh, that’s nothing. Just a scratch.”

She narrowed her eyes. “It’s stitches. I know what stitches look like.”

“Do you now?” He winked. “Looks like it’ll be a clear day. It was supposed to rain,” he said, nodding to the window.

The sky had already shifted from navy to a brilliant blue. She loved cloud watching, but she wasn’t going to let him get away with this. Despite her insecurities, she wanted honesty and trust between them. She cared about him.

“Why are you changing the subject? What are you hiding?”

“I’m here because I want to be, Gemma. There are no other women. And there’s nowhere else I’d rather be right now,” he said. “The little injuries will heal. If you must know, I was attacked. My phone destroyed. My car stolen. I spent three days in a cold warehouse. I had to stitch myself up to stop the bleeding.”

“What? Who stitches themselves up? And have you even been to the police yet? Who’d want to do this to you? They should be charged with attempted murder!”

She felt angry now. As angry for his lack of concern as she was for what happened to him. He should be traumatized, not so nonchalant. It wasn’t normal.

“Everything’s been handled. A new car’s already being delivered, too. As a matter of fact, it’s probably parked out front by now.”

This didn’t make any sense. And he still sounded so calm and relaxed. An insurance claim usually took time and a lot of red tape. She’d never heard of a new car being delivered after a phone call. Maybe she was just out of the loop. Gemma had never bought a new car or had to make an insurance claim.

“Okay. And you’re not worried those men could come after you?”

She’d be scared to leave the house again if that happened to her, but he’d slept like a baby all night. In fact, after witnessing the murder at work, she’d had nightmares for weeks and didn’t leave the apartment.

“Definitely not worried.” He got up and stretched and she couldn’t help but admire his body, so lithe and muscular. “You have to work today?”

“Not until the afternoon because I have to get my blood taken this morning.”

“Why?”

“My annual neur... just annual bloodwork.” She’d almost mentioned her neurologist which would lead to a lot of questions. She wasn’t ready to share her diagnosis yet.

“Do you need a ride?”

She was going to say no because she was worried he’d somehow find out something, but it was just bloodwork and she hated getting it done. It would be nice to have someone there. To have him there.

“If you don’t mind. I’m not very good with bloodwork.”

“Oh? Are you a fainter?” he teased.

Gemma shrugged. “I’ve come close. It’s always such an ordeal. I hate it.”

“I’ll hold your hand.”

“Promise?” She wasn’t kidding, even though he probably was. The thought of having someone by her side calmed her fears a bit. It wasn’t fun going through life, especially with medical issues, all alone.