While Leo gave his statement, she waved off the offer of a paramedic. Rod draped his arm over her shoulder. Her brother sported a slowly darkening black eye and a long scrape over his cheek. "You need to go to the hospital. We all do. Especially Leo. He took some pretty bad hits before I was able to get to him."
"How bad?"
"Let's just say, he took some punches to the head and some kicks to the chest and legs. I think he needs x-rays. I know he's tough but he had five guys on him."
Five guys. On one. The image flashed into her mind, sparking anger and fresh tears.
The owner of the bar came over. He'd been friends with Dylan for years. "I'm so sorry about this. Let me take you all to the hospital. I don't want any of you driving right now."
Kelsey didn't feel strong enough to drive and Rod and Leo didn't look any to be in any better shape. "We'll take you up on that."
At the hospital, the same nurse who had taken care of Dylan was on duty. She took Leo back for testing first even though he'd argued that Kelsey should receive treatment before him. While she waited, Kelsey spoke with the Bedlam's public relations department and her mom. And when she came back to the waiting room after her own testing was complete, having been discharged with a long list of instructions, her parents and Arielle were waiting along with Rod and Leo.
"Did they get the guys that slipped away?"
Dad shook his head. "Not yet. The bar's owner had footage of the entire ambush, plus they have the statements the other three assailants made so it's only a matter of time. When they do find those guys, they'll likely be charged with assault."
Mom rose and pulled Kelsey into a hug, then gestured at the bandages. "What did the doctor say?"
"I have a mild concussion." Kelsey couldn't meet Leo's gaze.
"Me too. High-five." Smiling, Rod raised his hand in the air.
Kelsey frowned at him. Exactly how hard had he hit his head? "That's not the sort of thing you high-five. It's an injury diagnosis, not a goal celebration."
"Still. We're twinning."
"And still, no." But he made her smile which she figured had been his goal.
Tongue darting out to wet dry lips, Kelsey turned to Leo. Someone had cleaned the blood from his mouth and chin. "Well?"
"Nothing's broken and I don't have a concussion. I guess my bones are pretty hard."
Her mother studied the list of Kelsey's instructions. "Why don't you come home with us tonight?"
"Thanks but no. I have the dog and really, I'm fine."
"I don't like the thought of you alone when you're hurting."
"I won't be alone. Leo's going to stay with me." She met his gaze and arched her brows. "Especially since the ringleader said that he knows which hotel you're staying in and that he's going to show up and finish the job. What if he shows up with a knife or a gun? If he was crazy or irate enough to come to the bar tonight, and if he'll be angry that his buddies ratted him out, what's to stop him from escalating the situation?"
He seemed preoccupied by the bandage on her face. "I'm not worried about me."
"Well I am, so humor me."
Her dad cleared his throat. "Leo, it's not a bad idea to move to a different hotel. The team can put through the changes in the morning."
"I'll think about it tomorrow." He stood and pain shot into his face with every movement. Shadows darkened under his eyes. "Are you ready to go home, Kelsey?"
Dad shared a look with Mom. "We'll drive you."
Once they were alone in her apartment, Kelsey grabbed Leo's hand, sucking air into her lungs. "Let me see the damage."
He drew off his jacket and his shirt. Dark, ugly bruises marred his chest. "Nothing's broken?"
"Just bruised and cut up."
"Plus the black eye."
"Yeah, that'll look like shit for a while."
"I'll get ice." She moved toward the kitchen as quickly as her bumps and bruises would allow and then stood there, gripping the edge of the counter. Tears stung and blurred her vision. Her breath hitched and she pressed her lips together, fighting back the urge to cry.
Footsteps sounded behind her and then warm hands cupped her shoulders. "Hey. Don't cry." Leo turned her to face him. "No crying for me. I'm fine."
"You're not fine. Some...some cowards attacked you."
"But I'm still standing. I don't have a concussion. They didn't get in any kicks to my head."
The image of them doing just that flashed into her mind. Tears spilled over and she carefully wrapped her arms around him. "I don't want anything happening to you."
His muscles tightened. "Well, I don't either. To you, I mean. I can't believe you jumped into that tonight."
"What was I supposed to do, let them hurt you?"
"I'd rather they hurt me than you." He skimmed his fingers over her bandage. "I hate that they hurt you. What kind of man slams a woman into a building?"
"Probably the same type who was too much of a coward to throw a punch to your face."
He clasped her hand in his. "We need to get some sleep."
They readied for bed, helping each other with care. Kelsey let Icing on the bed and the dog immediately curled up at the foot.
Leo took a long while to get comfortable.
She rolled onto her side and stared at Leo in the dark. Her heart ached at his pain.
Finally, exhaustion overtook him or his pain pills kicked in.
She loved him. Without a doubt.
The knowledge was terrifying and thrilling. But she didn't know how to tell him or when to do it. Or what she would do if he didn't love her enough to make a life with her no matter where they had to live.
CHAPTER TEN
LEO WOKE UP TO
