Broken Bear: Unleashed Passion Read Online Free

seriously. “I’m just watching over you.”
    Phoenix watched her face. Her cheeks turned a shade of pink before she answered. She was embarrassed to be asked. He felt bad that he questioned her. He had one last question. He knew he shouldn’t ask, but he wanted to know the truth. “Does he know you’re here?”
    Lily looked away. “If you want me to leave…”
    “I don’t. I like when you’re here.”
    “I don’t want anything,” she quickly retorted. Her heart raced. Just sitting with him was enough.
    “I know.”
    “Good.” And just like that, the conversation was over. Lily picked up her book to read, and Phoenix stared at the wall until he was ready to sleep again.

Chapter 7 Phoenix
     
    The uptight, pinched doctor made her usual rounds. She knew the man would have nothing to say, just like every other day, but she needed to make a notation on his state of mind. When he opened his mouth to speak, she was surprised.
    “Will you remove the restraints, please?” He was beaten down, broken. He had no fight left in him. “I just want to feel human.”
    She undid one of them, and watched his reaction. She saw relief wash across his face. “Are you ready to talk?”
    “I’m afraid to talk,” he admitted. “I’m afraid to keep reliving it all. It’s too painful.”
    The doctor’s brow furrowed. She didn’t expect this gentler man to speak, yet alone admit anything. “Healing isn’t easy, but you need to at least take the first step.”
    “I’ll try. But only if I can have my angel with me at the time.” He looked over at Lily, who was asleep in the corner chair.
    “It’s not something we generally do,” she started, “patient confidentiality and all.”
    “That’s my one condition. She is by my side.” She sat with him through all of the days he refused to talk or communicate in anyway. She made him feel safer, more relaxed.
    The doctor rolled her eyes behind her rimless glasses. “If it will get you talking, I’ll make an exception this one time.” He’d refused to talk for so long, there must be a reason he’s talking now, and if this nurse that visited him had anything to do with it, so be it. Maybe she’d be a key to his recovery. “I’ll make an appointment on my schedule for this time tomorrow. I’ll remove the other restraint, but if there’s any notation that you’ve gotten aggressive or are a danger to yourself…”
    “I’m not going to hurt anyone,” he sighed, “including myself.”
    Lily stirred and saw Phoenix sitting up in bed, watching her. He was sitting up! “Your restraints are off.”
    He gave a small smile. “I feel almost human.”
    “That’s wonderful.”
    “I have to ask you something. I told the doctor I’d talk to her tomorrow. Will you go with me?”
    “Oh, they won’t let me...it’s a patient-”
    He interrupted. “It’s already been approved. I didn’t think to ask you first. I shouldn’t have just assumed you’d be okay with it.”
    “Why do you want me there?” Lily questioned, watching him. He’d grown more comfortable around her.
    “I don’t know. I just feel better when you’re near me.”
    Lily smiled. “Good.”
    She might be a worthless piece of trash at home, but right here, sitting in the corner of Phoenix’s room, she was a healing soul helping a wounded man find his path. Everything felt right in the world when she sat beside his hospital bed. She belonged here, belonged to him. Her husband might have thought he owned her, but he didn’t. She belonged to Phoenix, heart and soul.
    When Lily didn’t show up the next day, he knew something was wrong.

Chapter 8 Lily
     
    Sure, he’d pushed her before, but he’d never actually hit her. When he cracked her across the face and drug her across the room by her hair, she knew she had to get out, and fast. He found her pay stub, and the hours she’d been out of the house weren’t matching up. She should have had more overtime. He should have looked sooner.
    She’d