“I’ll be fine, Catherine.”

“Yes, you will, because you’re not going to fight me on this.” I smile and tilt my head letting him know I’m not playing around. He can be defiant all he wants, but he’s not going to hurt himself because he has to be all macho. We see where that got him.

Mark laughs, “I see who wears the pants in this relationship.”

Dr. Allison steps in before Jackson can reply to Mark. “Jackson, there are some things that will either be too painful or flat out impossible with your injuries. We can arrange a live-in nurse or you can stay with friends or family.”

“No,” is his only reply.

“Then we can arrange for you to be transported to a rehabilitation center,” the doctor answers smoothly while writing something on his chart.

Jackson looks at me and his eyes say it all. He’s extremely unhappy. This is a man who fights through pain. He has no desire to be laid up and babied. “Well?”

I laugh at his one-word question. “Well, what?”

“Well, am I going to stay with my parents or do you want to stay with me?” he asks and lifts his brow.

“Are you going to be an asshole?”

“Aren’t I always, according to you?” Jackson says with a half-hearted laugh.

I giggle and kiss his cheek. “I guess I’ll stay with you, but you’re going to owe me.”

“Like I don’t already,” he chuckles and squeezes my hand before turning toward the doctor. “Okay, when can we get back to the States?”

“Let’s get you up a few times and then we’ll start talking about release and ways you can move around safely.” Dr. Allison closes his chart and heads out the door.

Mark walks over and puts his hand on my shoulder. “I’m going to book my flight back home. There are still issues we need to go over and things we need to take care of. Natalie needs some help too.”

Jackson’s face falls and his entire body tenses. “I need to call her. We need to do something.”

Mark nods. “I already had them send his body Stateside. I transferred money over, but knowing you, you’ll do more. She’s probably ready to have the baby any day, so I’d like to at least be there. I know her family is there, I just feel like he’d want …”

“Go,” is all Jackson says and Mark once again nods.

“The private plane is here so you can get back home that way.” Mark squeezes me to his side and kisses the side of my head. “Take care of him. Slap him if he’s a dick, which I’m sure he will be.”

“Hands off her if you want to keep them,” Jackson warns.

Mark laughs at his threat. “Funny, dickface. You’re so scary lying in bed wearing a pretty dress. I could haul her over my shoulder and you couldn’t stop me.”

“Try me.”

Trying to diffuse the excess testosterone pulsing through the room I put myself between the two of them. “Okay, okay. Both of you are badasses and ohhh so scary.”

They both burst out laughing and Jackson pulls me on the bed.

“Oh, Kitty. You’re so cute,” Mark says and ruffles my hair. “He isn’t scary at all. Neither are you. But seriously slap him, and if he’s really being a fucker you can poke his shoulder.” Mark laughs and Jackson glares at him.

“Don’t you have a plane to catch?” Jackson’s question is harsher than I’ve heard him with Mark.

“Relax, he was a perfect gentleman when you were unconscious.” I stand and give Mark a hug.

Mark pulls me close to which I can hear Jackson grumble behind me, but Mark was a great friend through this time. He was strong when I felt weak, and he gave me faith that when Jackson woke, we’d find our way. Sure, he gives me hell too, but that’s par for the course.

“Don’t fuck this up,” Mark says as he pulls away.

I’m going to miss him. He’s like the brother I never had. The one who picks on you, but if anyone else did he’d kill them. Which he’s more than capable of doing.

“When I’m back to normal we’re going to roll.”

“I think you could use a good ass kicking,” Mark says as he laces his fingers and cracks them.

“Dude, you’ve never beaten me when we wrestle. Ever,” Jackson smirks.

Mark puts his arms up and flexes as I roll my eyes. These two are worse than a couple of kids. “I’m ready for you, Muffin. Now be good to her.”

“I’m always good. Well … that depends on your definition.”

Mark laughs as he walks over to Jackson.

“Maybe, but I’m better.”

“Be careful getting home, glitter boy.”

Mark leans close and whispers something and Jackson’s eyes dart to me before closing and shutting me out.

My gut tightens as I try to calm the fears that that one single moment brought out of me. His eyes showed pure fear at whatever Mark said.

“Catherine?” Mark says snapping me out of my trance.

“Sorry,” I say shaking my head to rid myself of the panic traveling through my body. What could’ve made him look so scared?

“I said I’ll call in a few days. Check in on how we need to handle the press statement for both companies. Is that how you still want to proceed?” Mark asks studying my face.

I smile and nod. “Yeah, that sounds fine. The release is next month so I’d like to maybe push it all to happen at once. If I can control the story we can keep the shareholders happy and show that we’re business as usual.”

Jackson clears his throat drawing my attention back to him. “Are there any issues I should be concerned about?” he asks.

“Nope,” I say turning to Mark so I don’t betray my false statement.

There aren’t huge issues per se, but there was a dip yesterday. The fact that Jackson hasn’t personally addressed his company has spooked a few people. During the last few years, there has been a lot of change and this appears to be another moment of instability. While I’ve been able to handle a few small things, the bottom line is I need to make a formal statement and I need to be in New York City to stay on top of it. Being here is delaying the news. I’m putting out fires instead of preventing them.

“Okay.” Mark looks over my shoulder to Jackson and then back to me. “I’ll see you guys soon.” Mark walks to Jackson and places his hand on his shoulder. “Glad you didn’t die. I would’ve had to kill you.”

Jackson laughs and playfully smacks him in the stomach. “Thanks for being here.”

“No thanks needed. Just don’t do it again.” He winks and kisses my cheek before heading out the door. I’m going to miss him even though he gives me hell.

“Then there were two,” I hear Jackson say, his voice heavy with emotion.

Not wanting to be away from him for even a second, I smile softly and snuggle into his side, careful not to touch his leg. We don’t speak, we enjoy the solace of being in each other’s arms. Together—in every sense of the word—we found our way back through the storm. Despite the rough seas, we discovered our calm waters.

I don’t know how I’m going to handle pretty much living with him. Even when I was engaged to Neil, we never lived together. I’m determined to be more open with my feelings, give him everything, including my trust. While there is a large part of me unsure how I’ll fight against every defense mechanism I’ve built, I know it’s our only chance of survival.