And Gage hadn’t been. Frowning, I tried to think of what I could have done to make him so angry. I had been nineteen, and he would have been twenty-four. That seemed strange that he was the one who hated me. The only scenarios I could think of would be the other way around. The man was beautiful. I had no doubt that my teenage self could have been attracted to him. Was it a fatal attraction thing? Had I stalked him and maybe ruined a relationship for him or something?

  “I’m headed to your apartment now. I’ll pick you up and take you,” Uncle Neil told me before hanging up.

  This was not ideal, but I could survive it. Uncle Neil could still find someone to replace me. Gage hadn’t said he wanted me the entire time. Right? Or was that what he had decided? Better question was, why had I been involved or even known a guy that age? One who my uncle was scared to tell no? What kind of person had I been?

  I pulled out my notebook and pen, then began to write these things down. I’d make a list and see if I could figure out the answers without asking questions. Perhaps I could do some research another way. I chewed on the end of the pen while trying to decide if I should make a list for that too.

  Huck opened the door before I reached it. His gaze wasn’t as harsh today as he stared at me. I wondered if he was going to mention showing up at my apartment last night. I hadn’t told Uncle Neil because I was trying to keep him safe from these people even if I wasn’t.

  “You came back,” Huck said, looking surprised. “Wasn’t sure you would.”

  I shrugged. “Did I really have a choice?”

  If Huck could smile, I’d think he almost did—maybe. I wasn’t sure. He was hard to read.

  He stepped back so that I could go inside. I walked past him and then turned to see if he wanted to say anything more before I went upstairs to face the patient.

  “About yesterday evening,” Huck said. “Trinity told me about your wrist. She was worried and wanted to check on you. She was appeased when I told her I saw you on a date across the street.” He paused, then added, “Don’t tell Gage we were there.”

  That hadn’t been a date, but I didn’t correct him.

  “I won’t,” I replied but wondered if he was scared of Gage too. Couldn’t Huck just pick him up and toss him across the room?

  “Hold out your wrist. I want to see it.”

  I didn’t want to show Huck, but this hadn’t been a request. His tone had been a clear demand. I pulled up my sleeve and held it up.

  His eyes narrowed, and he muttered a curse. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t touch you again.”

  Then, he walked past me and back down the hall that led to the kitchen. Guessed our brief conversation was over. I had no doubt Huck could ensure my safety with Gage. I started for the stairs just as a door to the left—which was always closed—opened, and Levi walked out, followed by a younger guy. He had pale blond hair with more tattoos than Huck.

  “You came back,” Levi said with a grin that caught me off guard.

  Did they think I wouldn’t do as told? According to Uncle Neil, it was dangerous to anger them.

  “This is Shiloh,” Levi told the guy with him. “Shiloh, this is Kye.”

  “Nice to meet you, Kye,” I replied, then turned back to Levi. “Yes, I came back. Although I’ll probably regret it,” I replied honestly.

  Levi looked surprised, and then a bark of laughter followed. Glad this was funny to him. I did smile, however, because his laughter was kind of infectious.

  “He’ll be better today, I think.”

  I doubted it, but I was willing to hope. “Good,” I replied.

  He continued to smile as they walked away.

  When I reached Gage’s floor, I noticed his door was open. I walked down the hall, then stopped before reaching it. I took a deep breath, then reminded myself this would be fine. I could do this before taking the next few steps that would put me in his doorway.

  The light was on, but he was sleeping. Uncle Neil had said he had given him some pain meds when he was here. Maybe they would keep him asleep for a while. I walked into the room and set my bag down by the sofa, took out my e-reader, then went to sit down on the leather chair closer to the bed.

  Although I wasn’t looking at him, I knew the moment he opened his eyes. The fact that I could feel his gaze on me was disturbing. I shouldn’t be that aware of the man. Yesterday, even after he’d looked at me with disgust and bruised my wrist, I had still found him attractive. I was starting to think the fatal attraction scenario might have some truth to it. God, I hoped not.

  I met his gaze. “Good morning,” I said as politely as I could.

  He didn’t respond, so I turned my attention back to the e-reader.

  “You came back,” he said.

  I looked back up at him. “You demanded I return,” I pointed out.

  He frowned. “That’s a harsh description.”

  No, it wasn’t, but I didn’t say anything.

  “Do you need something? Ice water? Food?” I asked.

  He shook his head. “I’m good.”

  I went back to my e-reader, although reading was going to be hard.

  “You really don’t remember anything.” He said this as if he didn’t believe it.

  I shook my head without looking at him. I had already answered that question yesterday. The answer wasn’t going to change today.

  “Why did you come back to Ocala?” he asked.

  He wanted to talk today? Fine, we could talk.

  I slipped off my shoes and tucked my feet under me, then looked at him. “Because I didn’t like the life I had there.”

  His frown deepened. “How did you know to come here? Your parents aren’t here anymore.”

  That was a decision that had caused much drama. I wouldn’t tell him that though.

  “My uncle Neil is here. I needed somewhere that I wasn’t expected to be a certain way or to do certain things. Old me liked things that I don’t enjoy.”

  My friends had been shallow and elitist. My fiancé had been worried about appearances, wealth, and connections. I hadn’t worked and had never had a job. However, none of that was his business, and I wasn’t sharing that much of myself with him.

  “I take it, your boyfriend was one of those things.”

  I shrugged, then nodded. I didn’t add that he’d been my fiancé.

  “We were too different.”

  And how had he even known I had a boyfriend? That seemed strange. I started to ask and remembered I wasn’t supposed to ask questions. Dang it.

  “You work at your uncle’s doctor’s office.”

  I wasn’t sure if it was a question or a statement, so I just nodded.

  He let out a short laugh that didn’t meet his eyes. “Yeah, that’s nothing like the old you.”

  How well had he known me? If I had been a batshit-crazy female stalker, would he have known me or what I was like? Other than that I was mentally unstable.

  “Would you get me the TV remote?” he asked.

  Our talk was over. I wasn’t sure if I was happy about that or not. I stood and walked over to get the remote from the dresser, then brought it back to him. He didn’t say thanks, or anything for that matter, but I honestly hadn’t expected him to.

  As the sounds from the television filled the silence, I reached for my notebook and pen. I needed to make a list of the few things I’d learned. Like the fact that Gage had known about Isaac. He had also known I hadn’t worked. As I stared at my list, there were so many things I wanted to know. The questions that I had no answers to were all taunting me.

  Unable to stop myself, I finally looked up at him. “Can I ask you a question?”

  He didn’t look at me. His gaze stayed locked on the television. “You can ask, but that doesn’t mean I’ll answer it,” he replied.

  I hadn’t expected him to agree to even letting me ask, so I was now stuck with deciding which question to throw at him. Asking him what the heck I’d done to make him hate me was a question I knew he’d shut down. If he wanted me to know, he’d have told me already.

  “Why did you want me to come back today?” I asked. That question wasn’t on my list, but it should have been.

  “Not sure,” he replied.

  “You’re not sure why you wanted me to come back when you had made it clear yesterday how you felt about me?”

  That was as bad as not answering it. He might as well have said nothing at all.

  He turned his head to look at me, and I wanted to shiver from the cold gleam in those amber depths.

  “Watch yourself,” he warned.

  I nodded and looked back down at my list, then closed my notebook, put it away, and picked up my e-reader. My heart was beating so hard that I could hear it in my ears.

  Ten

  Gage

  Silky raven hair had fallen over her face as she lay, curled up in the leather chair, asleep. I scowled at her.

  After her question this morning, I’d barely spoken to her. She’d been equally quiet. The few times I’d needed to take a piss, she had gone and gotten Huck to help me. I was letting her do the other shit, but she wasn’t going near my fucking dick. She’d brought up my needing a sponge bath, and I shut that down quick. I told her I’d make a call and get someone over here to do it. And I’d already texted Huck to get me someone who could bathe me.

  Trinity had brought me lunch and pulled her away to go downstairs and eat. Which had pissed me off.

  Why was Trinity being so damn nice to her? Because she hadn’t known Shiloh before—that was why.

  I fisted my hands in the sheets as I watched her slow, even breathing. Admitting that I’d demanded she come back today because the idea of not seeing her again made me fucking livid didn’t help matters. Why couldn’t I just ignore her? I didn’t feel anything for her but hatred.

  The fact that she didn’t remember me—us—was unfair. Memories of her seemed to cling to my damn soul. I fucking despised her, but it didn’t mean she hadn’t owned a piece of me once that I never got back.

  Carmichael appeared at the door. It was time for her to leave.

  He glanced at her, then back at me, frowning. “I’m sorry about that. I’ll talk to her about remaining alert.”

  He walked over to her and shook her shoulder gently.

  Anger stirred in my chest because he was waking her up. What the fuck was wrong with me? She had fallen asleep on the job. He should wake her ass up. I should have woken her ass up instead of watching her sleep.

  I watched as she pushed the hair from her face and looked up at her uncle. Her eyes were still so fucking expressive. I could see the panic when she realized she’d fallen asleep. She sat up quickly, then turned to me.

  “I didn’t—I mean, I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I’m sorry,” she said, looking so fucking afraid that I needed to punch something.

  Shiloh had never been afraid of anything. Especially me.

  She stood up and then swayed slightly. My fucking reflex was to catch her, and when I tried to move, the pain slammed into me. I let out a string of curses. Carmichael caught her and was sitting her back down, whispering something to her. She nodded and gave him a weak smile.

  Why was she pale? What the fuck was wrong with her?

  “She needs a minute. I’ll check that wound and see how things are looking with you,” he said as he walked around the bed.

  My eyes stayed locked on her.

  “Why is she pale?” I didn’t like this one fucking bit.

  “Uh, well, that happens from time to time. She has some other things that come with the trauma to her brain,” he said, then began to work over me, checking my bandage he’d changed out this morning.

  “What other things?” I demanded. Why hadn’t they mentioned the other things?

  Carmichael cleared his throat, and I could see he was uncomfortable. “I’m sorry. I should have been clear about all her health issues. If you prefer I come from now on, I will.”

  I glared at him. “No, I want her here, but what are her other issues?”

  “Gage.” Huck’s voice filled the room, and I shifted my heated gaze to him.

  “What?” I snarled, pissed the fuck off about not being told everything.

  He nodded his head toward Shiloh, who had her arms wrapped around her waist, watching me with wide, terrified eyes. Dammit! I was scowling, but I couldn’t help it.

  “Stop looking at me like I’m about to do something to hurt you! Jesus Christ, you don’t have to be scared of me.”

  That outburst clearly didn’t ease her mind. She nodded and started to stand up again. I didn’t miss the way she held on to the chair and placed a hand on the wall for stability.

  Carmichael stepped away from me and gave me a tight smile. “All looks good. If you don’t need anything else, we will leave for the evening,” he said and made his way over to Shiloh.

  She went to get her bag, and Carmichael stopped her silently, then picked it up. She was too damn pale. And I still didn’t have any fucking answers as to what all was wrong with her. The rage slowly churning inside of me had to stop. So what that they hadn’t told me? Why the fuck did I care?

  This shit ended now. Caring about her led to other things. Shutting down my emotions completely was the only way to handle being around her.

  They headed for the door with Carmichael holding on to her arm. There was no real support in that. The old man wasn’t going to be able to protect her if she fell. I bit my tongue so hard that I tasted blood to keep from telling Huck to help her.

  I refused to let myself give a fuck about Shiloh Ellis’s health.

  Six Years Ago

  A cover band was singing George Strait as I walked inside of Bandits, the local bar in town. They were ruining a great song.

  My eyes scanned the crowd for Blaise and Levi. They’d texted me to meet them here an hour ago while I was closing up the shop since Huck had left early to go see his younger brother in Alabama.

  There were girls surrounding them when Levi waved his hand to get my attention. I headed over to them, ignoring the women as I slid into the booth side of the round table that had chairs on the other side, then reached for a handful of the pretzels.

  “Gage, this is Chelsie, Shanda, Becky, and Tina,” Levi introduced the girls, like I gave a fuck.

  I didn’t acknowledge them but looked over to get the waitress’s attention. I needed a beer. I had texted Shiloh and told her where I was headed, but she’d only responded with, Okay, and nothing more. I knew she had senior shit at school this week. All fucking spring was full of things that took her away from me. Thinking about the possibility of her going off to college made me fucking ill.

  The waitress arrived. “What can I get you, sugar?” she asked.

  “Corona,” I said. “Salsa and chips too.”

  “Got it,” she replied, then looked at the others to see if they needed anything.

  Levi asked the girls if they wanted something, and he ordered them drinks. Blaise ordered a drink, then sat back so that one of the girls could sit on his knee.

  When she left, one of the blonde ones reached over and ran her long pink nails down my arm. “You look like you need cheering up,” she said, leaning toward me.

  I didn’t bother looking at the cleavage she was trying to get me to see. Not interested.

  “He’s grumpy by nature, girls,” Levi told them, then winked at the one sitting on his right.

  I was sure his hand was giving the one on his left some attention. Rolling my eyes, I leaned back in the booth and looked down at my phone again. Still nothing. What the fuck was she doing?

  “I like grumpy,” the blonde said and stood up to walk over to me.

  I looked up from my phone as she started to take a seat on my knee.

  “Didn’t invite you to sit,” I told her, moving to stand up and make myself unavailable.

  I’d go sit in the chair on the other side of Blaise, where no one could get beside me. When I started over to the empty chair, my gaze locked on the raven-colored hair that I knew so well. She was sitting on a stool at the bar, laughing at some fucker who was looking at her like he was gonna get a taste.

  “Call Garrett,” I said as I started to the bar. “I’m gonna need bail money.”

  “What the hell?” I heard Levi say, but I didn’t stop.

  My eyes were on Shiloh, making sure no one touched her. The fucker who did wouldn’t see another sunrise. Just before I got to her, she turned to me. Amusement danced in her eyes as she watched me, knowing I was pissed off.

  “Oh, you found time to notice me,” she said with a smirk on her face.

  “I didn’t know you were here,” I bit out.

  “Clearly. You were busy with admirers.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and picked up the drink in front of her to take a sip.

  I jerked it out of her hand, then threw the glass down, shattering it against the concrete floor.

  “Hey, jackass, I bought that drink,” the man blurted out angrily.

  Shiloh’s hand wrapped around my arm. “Gage, don’t.”

  She had caused this, but then again, she enjoyed doing shit like this.

  The man’s outraged expression slowly changed to uncertainty as I stared at him. “You can leave and get a head start. Or you can make the mistake of staying here.”

  His brows drew together.

  “Gage, I was just playing. You had a group of women all over you.” Shiloh’s pleading voice was the only thing keeping me from snapping.

  The man pointed at the broken glass on the floor. “This man broke the damn glass on purpose,” he told the bartender, who glanced at me, then back at him before turning back to filling drinks. “What? You aren’t going to have him clean it or pay for it? Maybe fucking leave?” the man asked, annoyance in his tone.