Know your place

She was pacing the hospital floor, restless and on edge, when she spotted them approaching like a pack of predators.

They took their seats, barely glancing her way. Damon was the last to arrive, his voice low as he leaned in.

“The shipment’s hitting the port tonight. We need to move.”

“Go ahead. I’m not leaving him.”

“Fine. Keep your phone on. Bella, if you’re the one who did this to him, he’ll kill you.”

“Then let him kill me, Damon.”

Five agonizing hours later, she was unraveling. Finally, the doctor approached her directly.

“He’s in recovery. I think it went well, but we’ll know more when he wakes up.”

“Thank you, doctor.” She stepped into his room for a moment, careful to follow the rules.

When she walked outside, Elena’s furious expression greeted her. “Look, maybe we started off…”

“You’re a whore. Oliver’s Damon’s kid, and now you’re with Lucas?”

“I’m exhausted, Elena, so I’m not going to say something I’ll regret. Let’s just drop it.” She tried to walk away, but Giana grabbed her arm. Bella yanked herself free.

Tom blocked her path. “If you want to be part of this family, you’ll move with us.”

“That’s Lucas’s call, not mine. He’s my husband, and I go where he goes.”

“At least you know your place,” Tom said, feigning surprise.

“Know my place?”

“You’ll do what we tell you.”

“We? No. I’ll do what he tells me, not ‘we.’ And just a reminder, I own part of your company. This isn’t going to work if you keep threatening me.”

Bella turned and left without another word.

They eventually got him settled into a room. The family paraded in and out, while she downed her umpteenth coffee. Once they cleared up, she slipped inside. A nurse followed close behind.

“Can I lay next to him? I won’t mess anything up.”

“Of course, Mrs. Jackson. Let me just finish setting up the IV.” His stitches in the back are minimal.

Bella perched on the edge of the bed, her hand resting lightly on his chest. Exhaustion hit her hard, and she was out in seconds.

She woke to the weight of an arm pulling her close. Lucas. Her lips brushed his cheek in quick, relieved kisses.

“Bella,” he rasped, his voice barely audible.

Tears welled in her eyes, happy ones this time. He was talking, his arms moving. She stayed still, savoring the moment. Damon walked in, catching her smiling at his brother. He couldn’t help but notice she used to look at him like that.

“Brother,” Damon said, stepping to the other side of the bed. “Glad you’re awake.”

Lucas’s eyes locked on him. “If you ever touch her again,” he paused, his voice weak but sharp, “I don’t care if you’re my brother.”

“Got it. Loud and clear. The shipment has been processed.  It’s on its way. I’ll leave you to it, I need sleep. Welcome back, brother.”

Lucas didn’t respond. As soon as Damon was gone, his arm tightened around her.

“You’ve got me, Lucas. All of me. Are you in pain?”

“Yeah,” “But I want it. The pain helps kill the anger.”

“Anger? What are you talking about?”

“Sleep,” his voice still rough. “We’ll talk later.”

Bella drifted off but was jolted awake by his mom’s voice cutting through the room. “Send her home, Lucas. You’re in pain.”

She stirred, disoriented, as Lucas gripped her hand. “You stay here,” he said firmly, then shot his mom a sharp look. “Stay out of my marriage, Mom.”

Tom wandered in, his eyes landing on Bella first before shifting to Lucas. “There’s my boy,”

His mom turned to Lucas, her tone serious. “Your father and I thought you might want to move in with us. Bella said it’s your call; she’ll go wherever you go.”

Lucas glanced at Bella, then sighed. “I’ll think about it, Mom. Right now, I just want to…”

He didn’t get to finish as the doctor strode in. “Morning. Alright, everyone out, except you,” nodding at Bella. “Time for a check-up.”

The doctor had Lucas sit on the edge of the bed, tested his reflexes, then instructed, “Okay, stand up.” Lucas did, a weak but genuine smile spreading as his feet hit the floor.

“It worked,” the doctor said. “Now, therapy’s the next step. You can go home tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Bella said, relief flooding her voice.

The first night back home, Lucas was still too weak to walk, and Bella hovered like she’d been hired as his personal nurse. He tugged her into bed, pulling her close. “Finally,” his voice low and rough. “I get to hold you again. God, I missed this.”

Bella smirked, propping herself up on one elbow. “So, all this time, you knew we could…”

He cut her off with a groan. “You have no idea how helpless I felt. Who’d want me like that?

“Me,” she said without hesitation, leaning in. “I wanted you.”

“Yeah?” He grinned, kissing her neck, then trailing up to her lips. His hands slid down to her thigh, tugging her closer. “Prove it.”

She laughed as he yanked his shirt off, then struggled with her dress until he ripped most of the zipper. “Subtle,” she teased, but he didn’t care, his mouth already on her breasts, lips tracing her stomach. She let out a soft moan, pulling her into his lap. He couldn’t get enough of her, his hands roaming, his need to keep her close almost desperate. Her gasps and moans only drove him further, and when they finally came undone, she collapsed onto his chest, her head resting on his shoulder. His hand lazily traced on her back.

“Bella,” he murmured after a while, kissing her shoulder. “I hate to move you, but my back’s killing me.”

She jumped up like she’d been burned. “Shit, I shouldn’t have let you do this. You’re not ready…”

“Calm down,”, grabbing her wrist and pulling her back down. “Just need to lay flat. Stay here.” He wrapped an arm around her, holding her against his chest. “Now sleep. You’ve been running on fumes for two days, and Oliver’s fine. Damon’s got him.”

He sat there, watching her sleep for a moment before pushing himself up and walking to the window. Lucas didn’t doubt her, not for a second, but Damon? That was a different story. The thought alone made his blood boil. Moving in with his parents wasn’t just about convenience; it was a way to keep her close without it seeming like he was watching her every move. Still, jealousy gnawed at him, relentless. And then there was James. He’d already imagined a dozen ways to end the guy, but he wouldn’t, couldn’t, because the man was her lawyer, of all things.

She stirred in her sleep, her hand reaching out for him. He climbed back into bed, pulling her against him. She sighed, sinking into him as if she belonged there, and drifted off again. His arms tightened around her, holding her like he’d never let go.