Touched By A Marine (Book 1)

Chapter Twenty-One: Life after Death

Groggy and disoriented I opened my eyes to the world that was as bright as the light that shined down upon me, temporarily blinding me. It took a few minutes to get my thoughts organized but when I did and finally noticed my surroundings I realized that I was laying in a hospital bed beside a window that looked out over the parking lot and busy street. I stretched out my arm as it tugged just a little and I saw that it was connected to an IV bag that pumped drugs into my system and made me feel nauseas. My hearing was another thing that told me I was back among the living as I looked over and noticed a heart monitor that sat at my bedside. As my head was swimming, I winced slightly and felt another hand grasp mine as a familiar voice spoke softly to me.

"Hey. You're awake. How do you feel."

"Like I just got him by a truck."

The voice chuckled. "I'm just glad your okay."

I blinked through the drug haze as an image suddenly became clearer taking the form of Brad, my marine. My heart spiked with joy as I squeezed his hand and a tear a slid down my face causing him to reach over and brush it away with his thumb. He leaned in to kiss me as the heart monitor started going off like a jack hammer that sent a female RN nurse rushing into my room with a worried look on her face. Brad quickly pulled away as I blushed and tried to wipe the evidence from lips.

"Sorry, won't happen again." Brad said. "Least not until you're out of here." He whispered in my ear as the nurse left the room.

"How long have I been here?"

"A few days. Three at the most. Oh, Roman and Noah send their love."

"How are they?"

"They're doing okay, to be honest. I think they've been busy trying to find Vlad."

"Any leads on where he might be hiding?"

"None so far. But looks can be deceiving."

Easing back against the dull pillows of the hospital bed I closed my eyes briefly as I sighed and came to terms that I was no longer a sex slave for the Russians. It felt strange, to be honest, that I would no longer be servicing men for money and drugs. But now that I was finally free and clear of Vlad, I didn't have to worry about constantly looking over my shoulder to see if I was being followed or that I had my security guard with me at all times. Sure it would be weird after the first week or so but I think it's for the best. Suddenly I felt the bed shift as I peeked through my lashes and saw Brad lean in to give me a kiss on the forehead.

"I have to go," he said softly.

"No." I whimpered. "Please don't leave me."

When he didn't respond and my eyes snapped opened, I saw him reach for his leather jacket as he draped it over his arm and gave me a warm smile. I crossed my arms over my chest as I pouted and was granted with another kiss. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I had him right where I wanted him, locked into the kiss he chuckled as he easily moved out of my grasp and stood over me. Like a child begging to be picked up and held, I stretched out my arms as I wiggled my fingers and pleaded with him to try and stay with me. He considered for a moment before he leaned out from behind the hospital curtain between my bed and the one next to me and asked that I move over and make room for him. I moved as much as I could and snuggled within his chest as he wrapped his arm around me and buried his face into the crook of my neck.

The following morning I awoke to find Brad's spot empty as I sat up and looked around the room until I heard a door open and close followed by boots. The smell of coffee was in the air as Brad came around the curtain carrying a large cup of coffee in a paper tray with two doughnuts on top. My stomach growled as I placed a hand on it and waited till Brad handed me my doughnut when he didn't and sat back down in his chair I gave a what-the-hell expression as he took a sip of his coffee.