Read Online When You Are Mine by Kennedy Ryan - Free Book Online Page B

them, but was too elated to care.
    “You have to understand how very delicate this surgery is.” Dr. Myer measured his words into a recipe of warning. “This is the second aggressive growth removed from Iyani’s brain. The fact that she survived the first time was a miracle. We’re not out of the woods yet.”
    Kerris drew a relieved breath, letting the doctor’s words float over her head. The surgery had only removed many of the tumor cells, but some cells remained inoperable. Radiation and chemotherapy were the next step. The doctor felt confident those could be administered in Kenya. Going home was going to be the best medicine for the homesick little girl.
    “She’s still recovering, and will be out of it for a while,” Dr. Myer said. “I suggest you two get a few hours out of here, grab some dinner, get some rest, and come back a little later.”
    Kerris figured her face looked as implacable as Walsh’s. Dr. Myer obviously wasn’t going to convince either of them to leave until they had seen Iyani. The doctor looked to Jo for help.
    “Here’s a compromise,” Jo said. “I’ll go grab something for you guys to eat, and bring it here. That’ll be better than hospital food, but you can still be here to see Iyani as soon as possible.”
    They both nodded, looking at each other to share a slow smile. Iyani was going to be okay. They seemed to release the breath they’d been holding together all day.
    “Thank you for staying.” Walsh gave her hand a quick squeeze.
    “Are you kidding? I can’t wait to see her.”
    * * *
    Hours later, Iyani was still groggy, but seemed almost surprised to be alive.
    “Am I in heaven?” Her eyes slitted open. Anesthesia thickened her accent.
    “Not yet, sweetie.” Relief threaded Walsh’s laugh. “You can’t get rid of us that easy.”
    A weak smile was Iyani’s only answer before drifting back into a drug-induced slumber. Walsh stood by the bed, almost afraid to move. He felt like he’d been through battle, emotionally battered and worn down. He couldn’t have gotten through the ordeal of waiting without Kerris. He was about to tell her that when Cam walked in. He saw Cam before Kerris did, since he approached from behind her. Cam’s expression lightened at the sight of her. Walsh hoped he hid more than Cam, or else the whole world would know of his deepening feelings for the woman who had gone into battle with him today.
    “Hey, babe.” Cam looped his arms around her waist from behind.
    “Hi.” Kerris turned in the circle of Cam’s arms and gave him a smile that invited him into their joy. “Iyani’s gonna be okay. She came through fine.”
    Kerris was leaning against Cam with obvious fatigue. Guilt stabbed Walsh in the gut. He knew she still cleaned houses with Meredith, and was working all hours of the day to ensure Déjà Vu was ready by the end of August. Iyani was his responsibility, not hers.
    “Cam, why don’t you take your girl on home?” Walsh already missed having her to himself. “She’s exhausted.”
    “Yeah, baby.” Cam ran a gentle thumb over the shadows under Kerris’s eyes. “Let me take you home.”
    “No, I want to be here when Iyani wakes up again.” Walsh ignored the look Kerris shot his way, rich with confusion and accusation.
    “Walsh and Cam are right, Kerris,” Jo said from one of the chairs by the hospital bed. “You should let Cam take you home. You’ve been here all day.”
    “So have you, Walsh.” Kerris narrowed her eyes at him.
    “I’ll be leaving soon, too,” Walsh lied, planning to charm the floor nurse into letting him crash in the chair here in Iyani’s room. “Go on home. Come back tomorrow.”
    Walsh turned away, walking over to the window to adjust the blinds. He hoped she’d take the hint and go. He was not above begging her to stay if she kept biting that bottom lip, looking torn.
    “All right.” Her mouth conceded, but Walsh could still feel the rebellion of her eyes hurling darts at his