“Shit.” I scrubbed a hand, the arm uninhibited by a sling, over my stubbled jaw then slowly swung my legs over the side of the bed and sat up, letting out a litany of curses. The ribs were going to be the death of me.

I’d agreed to half a pain pill last night, but hadn’t wanted to take any more. Even with the high-quality locks and top-of-the-line alarm system, I’d wanted my wits about me. If the asshole came back, I wasn’t going to be drugged out of my mind and leave Bell to fight him off alone. Just the thought had my chest seizing with the sudden need to lay eyes on her.

I strode barefoot down the hall, peeking into bedrooms as I went. Each time I came up empty, my heart beat a little harder in my chest. By the time I reached the living room, it felt as if the organ might fly right out of my rib cage. Right up until I caught sight of Bell curled into a tiny ball on the couch.

I scowled. “What are you doing?”

Bell startled, flying to a sitting position. “What? Oh, hi. Are you okay?”

“Of course I’m okay. Why are you contorting yourself into the world’s most uncomfortable position on my couch instead of taking one of the four other bedrooms?”

It was Bell’s turn to scowl now. “Because I didn’t want to let myself sleep too deeply. I was afraid I wouldn’t hear my alarm and would sleep through it when I was supposed to wake you up.”

I sighed. “You need your rest. You’ve been through a lot.”

“I’m fine.”

God, I hated that word. It never meant what it was supposed to. “No, you’re exhausted. Why don’t I make you some breakfast, and then you can go sleep on a real bed?” I wanted to curl up beside her and hold her and never let her go, but that wasn’t what she needed from me right now.

“How about I make you some breakfast, and then you can take a nap?” I bit back a growl, and Bell laughed at my expression. She held up both hands. “Okay, okay. Why don’t we make breakfast together, and then we can both take a nap?”

“You’re getting warmer.”

Before Bell could respond, there was a knock on the door. She pushed off the couch as if going to answer it, but I pinned her with a stare. “Don’t even think about it.” I turned for the door. While the back of the house was comprised of windows that looked out over the bluff and ocean below, the front was designed for privacy and security. There was no way to see into or out of the home other than through the small windowpanes on the front door.