“Presley! Stop being rude,” her mother seethed.
“I can handle this, Mrs. Pierson. Josie specifically asked for Kai. She asked me to call him, and that is all the permission I need to speak to him about her condition. She also made it clear she doesn’t want you having the same privilege. I’m going to have to ask you to step outside while I speak with Kai and your mother.”
Presley bowed up. “She’s delirious. You can’t take anything she says as the truth while she isn’t in her right mind.”
“Do I need to call security?”
“You wouldn’t dare!” Presley stepped toward Sabrina, but Jacinta grabbed her arm. “You need to leave.”
Presley looked down at her mother’s hand. It looked like Jacinta had a death grip on Presley’s arm from the way her fingers were turning white. “Fine. I’ll wait outside,” she said, pulling away from her mother.
“No. You need to go home. Your home. I have no doubt you’ll call your father on the way, but I don’t want you at my home when Josie is released.”
Kai didn’t correct the woman. He would wait and let Josie tell her mother where she was going upon release. Presley stomped out of the room. Before the door closed, she pointed at Kai. “I’ll see you in class tomorrow, and we will talk.”
“Okay then,” Sabrina said as soon as the door closed. “Josie’s fever broke a couple hours ago. I waited until her bloodwork came back to tell you the good news. It seems Josie had a reaction to the fish she ate.”
“But she’s not allergic to anything,” Jacinta said.
“I’m not either, but I was sick too. I’ll be sure to be more careful where I shop from now on,” Kai told her. He hated lying to the woman, but it was necessary.
“We gave Josie something to counteract the effects, and she is on the mend. She might need a day or two at home to rest, but there’s no need to keep her overnight.”
“Can we see her?” Kai asked.
“Yes. I’ll get her discharge papers together. Come on.”
Kai gestured for Jacinta to go first. With her back to them, Kai mouthed, “Thank you.” Sabrina inclined her head before leading them to Josie’s room. It had been less than an hour since he’d seen his mate, but he still held his breath when he entered the room. Jacinta strode to Josie’s side, picking up her hand. Josie smiled at her mom, but when she turned her eyes to Kai, her smile grew larger.
“Hey, you.”
“Hey, Sunshine. You had me worried.”
Josie held out the hand her mom wasn’t holding, and Kai circled the bed. He brought her knuckles to his lips.
“Oh, my,” Jacinta whispered. Josie winked at Malakai. “Dr. Bailey is getting your discharge papers ready. She wants you to rest a couple days. I don’t think you should go to your apartment.”
“I’m not. Malakai will take care of me.”
“Josie—”
“Mom, I’m going home with Kai. I know I haven’t told you about him, and that was because I didn’t want you mentioning anything to Dad. He would tell Presley, and I didn’t want to deal with her. It’s going to be bad enough when I give my notice.”
“What? Josie, you can’t quit. Your father and sister won’t be able to find anyone to take care of them the way you do.”
“They’re going to have to. I’ve given them eight years of my life and have received not one word of appreciation. Not one. Maybe when I’m gone, they’ll realize just how well I’ve done my job.”
“Why didn’t you say something?” Jacinta wiped the corner of her eye.
“He’s your husband, and I would never have you feel anything other than love for him. He’s not so bad, but Presley is impossible.”
“I’m so sorry, honey. I wish I had done something different with that girl.”
“You did a fine job raising both of us. She just got all of Dad’s genes.”
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Sabrina walked in with a set of papers. “Are you ready to go home?” she asked Josie.
His mate smiled at him. “Definitely.”
Sabrina left a new pair of scrubs for Josie to wear since her clothes needed washing. Kai wanted to burn them. The smell, even contained in a plastic bag, was strong with sickness and fear. Sabrina allowed Kai to push the wheelchair to the front door. He left Josie to speak privately with her mother while he pulled the Jeep around. When Kai parked in the loading area, he could tell Jacinta was still upset. He used his shifter hearing to eavesdrop.
“Please come home with me. At least for tonight.”
“Mom, I love you, but I’d much rather have my sexy man taking care of me. Besides, I feel fine. I’m going to go home and shut my phone off. When you tell Dad I’m taking my first sick day in eight years, I don’t want Presley calling because she somehow feels I’m doing this to get back at her.”
“So, you want me to be the bearer of bad news?”
“Yes. Dad loves you. He won’t be angry when you explain why I’m taking one day off.”
“Okay, honey. But call me tomorrow, or you know I’ll worry.”
Kai hopped out of the Jeep at that point. “Your chariot awaits,” he said, bowing low.
Josie laughed as she pushed herself out of the wheelchair. “Funny. That’s the same thing Trevor said.”
“Who’s Trevor?” Jacinta asked. Josie’s eyes widened at the slip.
“Oh, he’s one of our friends.” Josie hugged her mom. Looking over Jacinta’s shoulder, Josie rolled her eyes. “Thanks for being here. I promise I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“You better, or I’ll let myself into your apartment.”
Josie didn’t admit to her mom she wouldn’t be there. If Kai
