Read Online Back From Hell (Marine For You Book 2) (Contemporary Military Veteran Romance) by Marissa Dobson - Free Book Online

told the nurse, even though she’d have to build another lie later to cover up this one. “I didn’t tell you before but we’ve been seeing each other for some time now. He’s my fiancé. So have some respect.”
    “A son-in-law who won’t even stand up for himself…that’s not what I pictured as a husband for you. What kind of work can he possibly do with one arm?”
    “Ma’am, I can fight my own battles, but considering the circumstances, it would be unwise to upset you further.”
    “Mrs. Pence, we’re ready for you in pre-op.” A gentleman in scrubs came into the room, followed by the nurse from before.
    “Very well. It would seem that you’re saved by the medical staff, but don’t think this conversation is finished.”
    “I wouldn’t think that for a moment.” She knew she should go to the bed and hug or kiss her mother one last time but anger stopped her. She was tired of all of it and her mother’s comments weren’t just flung at her but also at Kyle. “I’ll see you in recovery.”
    “You better make it out of surgery just fine.” Colin leaned toward her mother and gave her a light kiss. “I love you, even when you’re a bitch to those around you.”
    “Which is too often for my taste,” Staci mumbled as she and Kyle left the room. The three of them would make their way to the surgery waiting room, but before Colin joined them, she wanted a moment alone with Kyle. She needed to apologize for her mother’s actions.
    Out in the hall, she led them away from that dreaded hospital room, and the path they’d take to get her mother to the operating room. With the hour, it wasn’t difficult to find a quiet spot. “I’m so sorry.”
    “Don’t.” He leaned against the wall and brought her to stand in front of him. He wrapped his good arm around her waist while the one he’d partially lost touched her other side. “Her behavior isn’t something I haven’t encountered before and it won’t be the last time. I chose not to wear my arm prosthesis today and maybe that made her more uncomfortable about my condition, but it was my decision. One that, even with her comments, I don’t regret. I don’t care for the prosthetic arm and feel I get along fine without it. You don’t seem to mind it either, or I’d wear it. You also don’t shy away from my stumps.”
    “I don’t care if you choose to go without it and there’s not one part of you that bothers me. You’re sweet and I care about you, but her behavior is inexcusable. I understand if you wish to go back to the hotel, or even back home.”
    “I’m not leaving you.” He rubbed a hand along the curve of her back. “I will say that, with the comments about me being your fiancé, you owe me. I’ll wait to cash in until we’re alone, but don’t think I’ll forget.”
    “Sorry about that, I just wasn’t sure what else to say. I didn’t want the nurse to force you to stay in the waiting room, and then when Mom started it also seemed for the best.”
    “You’re apologizing for a lot of things out of your control. There’s no need. I told you everything is going to be fine, though I have a feeling your mother doesn’t like me very much.”
    “Don’t worry, she doesn’t like me either.” She smirked. “I couldn’t get through this without you.”
    “Don’t underestimate yourself. You could, but it wouldn’t be nearly as exciting.” He laced his fingers through hers. “Come on, fiancé. I’ve a feeling Colin is waiting to question us some more on your mother’s behalf.”
    “Colin owns a dozen or so horses that he races. It’s how he and Mom met. They’ve been together for years and he’s completely devoted to her. So there’s no doubt he’ll be getting whatever scoop he can find on us to report back to her.”
    “I’ll let you take the lead and decide how much you want to give him.”
    They were just a few doors from the waiting room when she whispered. “How childish would it be if I said nothing?” She