Theirs to Keep (Tangled Hearts Trilogy #1)(67)

Merrick glanced at Cade for a long moment, question in his eyes. Cade knew what he was asking. Knew what he wanted to share with Elle.

In his heart, Cade knew it was the right thing to do even if it wasn’t the easiest.

Slowly he nodded, silently agreeing to what Merrick had suggested earlier. Satisfaction and relief shone in Merrick’s eyes.

Elle was starting to nod off again, though, the effects of the pain medication taking hold, and she was already exhausted enough.

Cade glanced at Merrick and shook his head. “Tomorrow.”

Merrick nodded and then gently eased Elle lower in the bed, arranging the pillows so she’d be comfortable. She moaned once when the movement caused her pain, and Merrick flinched, his face a wreath of regret.

But then she nestled into the pillow, gave a soft sigh and went utterly still. Her soft breathing filled the space between them, and Cade simply watched the rise and fall of her chest.

What was it about her that had captivated him from the very beginning? He couldn’t explain it. He didn’t even really care about why or how. She was it for him. Some things just were, and this was one of them. Hell if he was going to fight it. Not when he was perfectly content to be right where he was.

Change was inevitable. But then they’d been barreling toward change for some time now. It was naïve to think their lives wouldn’t be altered when Merrick won the championship.

Merrick had thought out the possible roadblocks and come up with a solution, something Cade had failed to do. There was no way they could both maintain a relationship with Elle if Cade was in Grand Junction and Merrick was off fulfilling his obligations as the champion. And they sure as hell weren’t going to pass Elle back and forth like a child custody case in a divorce.

Cade had been rooted in denial, not wanting to think of the changes that were most certainly coming.

“We could have lost her,” Merrick whispered painfully.

“I know. The more I think about it, the more it pisses me off that Dakota took it upon himself to toss her out of the gym.”

Merrick’s gaze narrowed. “You think I should stick to my guns?”

Cade sighed. “Goddamn. Part of me wants to kick his f**king ass and then tell him to hit the road. What he did was unforgivable. He could have gotten her killed. The other part knows deep down that he never meant her harm. He’s a dick, yes, but he’s a dick who loves you and is fiercely loyal, and I honest to God think he’s sick at heart over what happened.”

“Yeah,” Merrick muttered.

“I think he’s got some making up to do where Elle is concerned. He made her feel unwanted. Like we didn’t want her. That I won’t forgive.”

“I hear you,” Merrick said through his teeth. “We’ll talk to Elle in the morning, and then I’m going to have a come to Jesus meeting with him to clear the air.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

WHEN ELLE WOKE THE NEXT morning, she was alone in bed and the sun was streaming through the window. She blinked and then flinched away from the brightness before turning her head away.

Her body screamed in pain. It was like nothing she’d ever felt before. Every breath hurt. The nurse in the ER had bound Elle’s ribs, but Elle hadn’t been able to tolerate the wrapping. Now she wondered if she wouldn’t have been better off.

Her face and jaw were swollen, and it hurt like hell to even move her lips. Moving anything was an ordeal. She felt like she was a hundred years old.

And the problem was, she had to pee really bad.

“Cade? Merrick?”

Their names came out a mere croak. Her throat was bruised and swollen from where her assailant had choked her.

She waited a moment, but with each passing second, the need became more pressing.

Gritting her teeth, she inched her way toward the edge of the bed, tears of pain pricking her eyelids. By the time she had one leg over the side, she was gasping and tears slid freely down her cheeks.

When she finally managed to get both feet on the floor, she straightened and immediately regretted it. Her cry of pain blistered her lips, and she bent over, agony wracking her body.

“Elle, what the hell?”

Cade’s demand blew over her, and then he was there, easing her to sit back on the bed. She couldn’t even breathe around the quiet sobs and the gasps of pain.

Merrick stood in front of her, his face a mask of worry. Just beyond him, Dallas stood, concern bright in his eyes.

“What on earth were you doing?” Merrick asked.

“Bathroom,” she managed to get past stiff, swollen lips.

“Aww, honey.”

Cade slid his arms underneath her and lifted her up. She couldn’t call back the near shriek as her body was jolted. Cade swore and then stalked toward the bathroom. He set her down in front of the toilet and then unceremoniously yanked down her underwear before easing her back onto the commode.

“Oh God, this is humiliating,” she moaned.

“Shut up,” he said in an almost polite voice. “I don’t want to hear it. Get over it because right now you can’t move without causing yourself considerable pain.”

“I can do the rest,” she gritted out. “Turn around or something. This is embarrassing.”

He sighed but did as she asked. And God, but it was the most difficult thing she’d ever done to complete the task of using the bathroom. By the time she was finished, sweat had broken out over her body and she was nauseous.