Dr. Tuska rapped on the open door and joined them. “Jared just arrived. I can hold him off if you need time before you see him.” He chuckled, flipping through her chart. His knowing smile spoke volumes. “Like I mentioned before, dab this in your eyes three times a day. Any other scratch, give a smear of Neosporin. You’re good to go. Want me to tell Jared you’re tied up for a few more minutes?”

The doctor was quickly climbing the ranks of Nicola’s favorite people, and definitely worth his weight in gold. Dr. Tuska must know how pleasant Jared could be when things didn’t go according to his plans. Nicola laughed to herself. She was getting to know the old bastard. Jared wasn’t actually much older than Cash. He just acted like it.

Nic shook her head, laughing despite her stinging face. “I’m fine. But thanks.”

Boots clomped down the corridor. She could almost feel Jared’s ever-present attitude problem.

“Here we go.” Cash chuckled.

Jared slammed into the room, eyed them both, and squared off his stance. “Princess, I need a word with you. Cash, out.”

Cash tightened his hand on hers, and she sensed he was ready to tell Jared to go to hell.

“That’s fine,” Nic said, preempting their battle.

Cash didn’t move, and she patted his hand. He couldn’t be seriously concerned that Jared would yell at her. Or worse… what would be worse? Racking her brain, she came up with nothing. Jared was harmless—to her at least.

Clearing his throat, Cash squeezed her hand again and stood. “Don’t be an asshole, boss man.”

“Out.” Jared harrumphed.

Cash kissed the side of her forehead. “I’ll be in the hall. Yell if the jackass gets too nasty.”

“Make sure you shut the door on the way out,” Jared grumbled.

“All right, guys. Enough.” This wasn’t what she needed right now.

Nic and Jared stared at each other for a long minute, and Cash slowly walked out the door, letting it click behind him. Jared paced the length of the room twice.

Paused.

Then did it again.

“Do you want me to apologize?” she asked, getting annoyed. “I didn’t need to come to your special doctors if you didn’t want me to. But they were very good, so thank you.”

Two steps and he was in front of her, growling. “Let me ask you something, princess.”

Oh shit. This couldn’t be good. “Okay.”

“Your file says you’re smart. True or false?”

“Don’t know what it says. I haven’t seen it. But, yeah I am.”

He studied her, unblinking. “Still, you fell for Cash. That can’t say much about your intelligence.”

She furrowed her brow at him, which stung despite the low-level painkiller they’d given her. “Jared—”