"I was safe the entire time, wasn't I?" Katie slowly asks, "I'm not trying to be cocky or anything, I'm just asking."
Lane rolls his eyes as if it should already be obvious, looking back out onto the damp woods in annoyance. "What do you...
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Katie's eyes flutter open, her vision blurred. She closes her eyes and yawns, turning over onto her back to stretch. The blonde feels a bit groggy but her nausea had subsided. The tenderness in her breast still remained.
Katie smacks her lips as she smiles softly. "Lane? Is breakfast ready yet?"
No answer. She pouts her lips and opens her eyes once again. Katie turns to right to see an empty space on the other side of the bed where Lane sleeps. The blonde slowly sits up, looking around. No sign of Lane or Salem. She's completely alone. Katie listens for any sound to indicate she is not alone in the house, but silence is all she hears.
Panic fills Katie, making her heart beat faster. She pulls back the covers and swings her pasty, skinny legs over the side of the bed. The blonde quickly stands to her feet and rushes to the door, swinging it open. Her feet begin to fly down the stairwell, a headache forming. She slows down, holding her head.
Whoa! A little too fast there. Katie continues on her way with a brisk walk, Where did everyone go? They wouldn't just leave me....I mean, Lane would t just leave me. No way! Am I dreaming?
The sound of the dogs barking outside catches her attention. She frowns as her hands grip the wooden railing. As she walks down nearly two flights of stairs, Katie is out of breath.
"She needs a doctor-" a distant, feminine voice echos through the first floor of the house.
Relief fills Katie, making her softly smile. She continues on her way, her curls bouncing.
"Don't you think I know that!" The sound of Lane's roaring voice makes the blonde cringe, walking slower. "The police are looking for anyone whose involved with that arson! And here I can't take Katie to a hospital to provide the proper care she needs!"
Hospital? I'm fine. Katie arches her brow. Well, I was sick but I'm feeling better.
The blonde slowly follows the voices, taking each step with caution as she listens in on the conversation.
"What if she dies?" Katie recognizes the masculine voice but fails to put the face with the voice.
"What if she's contagious?" Another masculine voice, but less familiar to Katie.
"What if we all get sick?" Katie recognizes Lola's voice. "What if we have a Pandemic?"
"Lola, do you even know what a Pandemic is?" Phoenix.
"Shut up!" Lane roars over them, making Katie flinch. "She's not going to die! She's not contagious! Stop being such negative Nancy's."
Katie walks through the hallway until she reaches the doorway of the parlor. She peeks her head in the doorway, shyly peering in to see the scene. Nearly everyone is gathered in the parlor, all sitting around Lane who stands with his hand on his hip while leaning against the fireplace.
Max spots Katie first, her eyes widening. "Boss, look!"
Lane quickly turns around, his eyes locking with Katie's. His face twist into irritation. The blonde takes a step back at the sight.
"You're supposed to be in bed!" Lane's voice has softened, but still holds authority. "You're supposed to be sick!"
Katie shakes her head, crossing her arms. "I'm better now, I guess."
The crime lord walks over to her and puts his hands on her biceps. "Go back to bed. I'm having Fonzie come bring you something to eat."
Katie smiles. "I am hungry."
Lane furrows his brows at her. "It's broth."
The blonde pouts her lips. "I'm fine, really. I just got a little sick this morning."
"And last night." Lane softly argues with her, his voice low. "Don't argue with me. You're going back to bed."
"I'm fine! Really!" Katie shakes her head, putting her hand on his chest. "I'm not contagious and I'm not going to die. I'm feeling better, honest."
Lane stares at her for a long time in silence, his ocean blue eyes searching hers. He then takes in a deep breath and nods.
"Get back in bed." Lane softly command's, "You're getting broth. That is that. Now don't argue with me again!"
Several of the gang members snicker at Katie's reaction to Lane raising his voice at her. Rebel smacks Ryder and Phoenix, nodding back to her friend with a small smile. Katie nods back.
"Don't make me tell you again." Lane's tone becomes even more heated than before.
Katie slowly nods and turns around, walking back to the stairwell. I'm not sick! I just had two little spells.
Lane watches her from the doorway of the parlor. The way her hips sway as she walks and the way her curls bounce as she walks. He lowers his head and heavily sighs.
Lane whispers to himself under his breath. "What am I going to do?"
Hey readers! I laughed so hard at the pun joke about Lola not knowing what a Pandemic is 😂🤣! P.S. this story is kind of going at a faster pace than what I originally wanted but that's okay 👍🏼 Stay safe, my Lovlies ❤️🙏🏼
