While Michelle feeds Kella, I take a few minutes to get dressed and make sure Jake and Greg are on their way with the television. I always preferred to keep my room quiet and peaceful but I can’t expect Kella to be laid up for weeks with nothing. She can’t even read a book with only one arm. Maybe I should get her one of those e-reader things. I make a mental note to talk to the guys about that when they arrive.

Jake and Greg show up an hour later than promised. Jake doesn’t stop complaining the entire time he helps Greg carry the TV into the bedroom. I follow behind them carrying a small table that can serve as a stand for the TV. I refused to mount it to my pristine wall, despite Jake’s enthusiasm for wanting to drill into it. If we ever don’t have access to a gun, I’m pretty sure he can be just as terrifying with an electric drill.

“You’re lucky he fucking likes you,” Jake growls, shooting me an evil look once the TV is set up. He walks out of the room before Kella can respond, which is probably a good thing.

She didn’t make it easy on him, constantly telling him the TV wasn’t centered, making him move it left to right several times before he finally gave her the finger.

“Here’s the remote, watch whatever you want, if you want to order anything it’s already linked to my account,” I say awkwardly, not sure what to do now.

“Are you leaving?” Kella asks, looking slightly sad.

“I don’t have to.” I speak before thinking about it. I can afford the time off work but spending time with Kella isn’t a smart idea. No, spending time with Kella is a dangerous idea.

“Please,” Kella says, her eyes wide. Fuck she kills me.

“Okay.” I sit down and more awkward silence quickly follows.

“Thank you, for, um, taking care of me,” she says quietly.

“You took a bullet for us. For me,” I say quietly, wondering why she seems surprised?

“I didn’t do anything but stand in the wrong place,” she grumbles, clearly more than her shoulder was wounded.

“You didn’t run, Kella. Shit hit the fan and you stayed by my side. That’s the only thing I can ask of anyone,” I state the facts.

“I guess you’re right. Does Declan hate me now?” she asks, her eyes look nervous when she says his name.

I push down the sudden protectiveness that hits me and answer her. “Nah, Declan’s hard to piss off.” Then I remember the way he choked Abramo. “Well, most of the time.”

She gives a musical laugh and I smile back.

“You should laugh more often,” I whisper, my hand coming up to brush down her cheek before I can stop myself.

“And you should smile more,” she says, tilting her head ever so slightly into my touch.

“So, tell me …” she starts to speak, but we’re interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing.

I look at the screen and see Lexi’s name. Sighing deeply, I stand up. “I have to take this, I’ll be right back.”

Shutting the door behind me, I answer gruffly, “You got news?”

“Yes, I arranged an ‘accidental’ meeting with her. We hit it off, lunch is scheduled for tomorrow.” Lexi sounds so proud of herself.

“Perfect. Let me know what you find out then.” I hang up even though I can still hear Lexi talking. I switch my phone to silent knowing she’ll probably call back.

I make my way back to Kella’s side and sit down.

“Who was that?” Kella asks curiously.

“Work shit. What were you going to say?” I lie and for once I’m not happy about it. Kella doesn’t need to know everything I have going on right now, but a part of me wishes I could share more with her.

“This feels weird. I’m used to being on my own,” she says, looking ashamed.

“Nothin’ wrong with being on your own. Nothin’ wrong with getting help when you need it either.” I can’t help but remember all the times I’ve been in desperate need of help, but there wasn’t always someone there. All the times Bree needed help and there was no one there.

“So, after I heal, what happens then?” Kella asks the million-dollar question.

“Why don’t we take it one day at a time?” I say, avoiding it for the moment. I can’t give her an answer I don’t know. The only thing I know is that for some reason, the idea of Kella not being around anymore doesn’t make me happy. And that’s when I know I need to get away from her. If she stays around, I’m only going to get more attached to her, and that is a dangerous place to be.