Saving Destiny

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Mike followed meekly at Destiny’s side. Her frown had returned and he wracked his brain what to say to fix it. He much preferred her smiling than sad. It gutted him knowing there wasn’t anything he could do. Unless…maybe there was.

Carter was a brilliant doctor and knew several specialists. Maybe Carter could evaluate Carol and help solve this mystery. Since Carol’s second hospitalization so close together it had raised his suspicion. The fact Destiny noticed it too was worrying, but who would want to hurt an old lady.

Mike didn’t know anything about Destiny’s family. He knew she was originally from LA and moved here a few years ago but that was about it. She was pretty quest about her family, but she was good at avoiding his questions about it.

As she always said, ‘everyone was entitled to their secrets.’ Scarily, she knew his biggest one by process of elimination. Mike had never confirmed he was a Delta but he never denied it either. He didn’t want to lie to her. His Destiny was a clever woman.

He wished she were his. When he caught her against himself, he swore he felt an electric current between them. It took all of his strength not to thrust his hard on against her. To physically show her how much he wanted. To tell her without the words he could never say how he felt. She didn’t want him like that.

When they reached Carol’s room her stiffness melted away and his happy Destiny returned. Just like it had when he came upon her in the cafeteria. When she had looked at him like he hung the moon and stars. Like a lifeline as she clung to him. He reveled in the feel of her breasts crushed against his chest. If only it was because she desired him and not just a friend needing a shoulder to cry on.

“Hi grandma, look who came to visit.” Destiny pointed to him as she took the vacant chair next to her grandma.

Carol was propped up into a sitting position with several pillows at her back. She was still as pale as the sheets she laid on but her eyes were much brighter. Whatever had caused her stomach upset passed through. That was good. But what if someone was out to hurt her. What would come next?

“Hi Mrs. Sheppard.” Mike greeted her with a smile as he pulled a chair up next to Destiny.

“How many times have I told you to call me Grandma Carol?” She hmphed.

She must be feeling better if she was being feisty. Mike had loved this woman like his won grandma since he was introduced to her. She didn’t take any crap and hated being in the hospital as much as the rest of them.

“Only about a hundred.” He chuckled.

She shook her head sadly at him. “One of these days I’ll get you to call me that.”

“Sorry, manners are hard to break, Grandma Carol.” He barely caught himself from saying Mrs. again.

“Much better.” She beamed at him before readjusting in the best. “I’m so tired of being in this place. I swear they leave this room vacant for me.” She looked around the room sighing heavily.

“Come now, grandma. It’s not that bad.” Destiny tried to make light of the situation. “We’ve only been at the hospital a few times.”

“It is. I’m going to carve my initials in the wall before we leave and just you wait when we come back, we’ll be in this same room then you’ll have proof.” She nodded as if her word was law. The woman held a commanding presence. As if she was used to lording over people but not in a demeaning way. Just authoritative. He could almost see her out with Commander Jones, their commanding office, barking orders at troops.

“Why not just mark the bed?” Destiny challenged with a mock eyebrow raise.

“Because they can easily move the beds in another room. You can’t change the walls.” Mike barked in laughter at that. Damn, this woman was feisty. Destiny shared some of the same fire. Life was never dull with these two.

“You got me there.” Destiny chuckled.

“How are you feeling, Grandma Carol?” Mike asked. Calling her that felt foreign on his tongue but he liked calling her that. He didn’t have much family anymore. Both of his grandparents had passed years ago. His parents had divorced and lived in different states, both having new families and kids. Mike had been an only child between them. Being with Grandma Carol it was like having a family again.

Don’t get him wrong, he loved his teammates like family but it wasn’t the same thing. It was hard to explain. Nothing beat the love of a grandparent. Their easy advice and letting you sneak into the cookie jar before dinner.

“I’m fine. I wish we stopped running to the hospital every time I get an upset stomach.” Carol rolled her eyes and threw her hands up.

“Grandma you shouldn’t be getting sick so much. I’m worried about you.”

Carol’s features softened and held out a hand for Destiny to take. She took it without hesitation. “You have enough to worry about without adding me to your burden.”

“You are far from a burden, Grandma.”

Carol gave her a smile that didn’t quiet reach her eyes. “I feel like one. I only planned to be here a couple weeks, get away from the city. Instead I’m a hospital all the time. I should be home running my company.”

Company?

Carol ran a company? He could see that. The way she spoke to the staff it was like talking to a board room. She spoke and expected everyone to listen.

“I didn’t know you ran a company.”

“Run it, own it.” She shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal. “Though over the past few years I’ve been delegating more duties to others. My mind and heart may still be young, but the body is not.” She waved over it with her free hand, a look of disgust on her face.

If she was a owner of a company he could see why sitting idle all day drove her crazy. He didn’t like sitting still for very long. None of the guys did. That’s why so many of them had hobbies.

“Maybe this is a sign its time to retire for good.” Destiny suggested.

She had told him she worried that her grandma overworked herself and this might be a result. Her body just couldn’t keep up with the routine anymore. Now that they both suspected foul play that might not be the case. But it was a good way for someone to cover their tracks and erase suspicion.

“And do what, gardening?” Carol made a puckered face like she sucked on a lemon.

“There are other things you can do.”

Carol seemed to ponder it for a moment. “Maybe I’ll join a biker gang. I could be an old lady.” She chuckled at her own joke. Destiny didn’t seem amused.

“No biker gangs for you.”

“You’re no fun. What’s the point of living if you can’t live?” She hmphed, crossing her arms over her chest. Mike just sat back amused watching these two bicker. Anyone could see how close their bond was.

“Let’s get you better before you decide to hit the open road, grandma.” Destiny shook her head. Her eyes alite with laughter.

“I’m sorry, Mike. We’re leaving you out of the conversation. How are you dear?” He hadn’t felt left out.

“I’m good. Staying busy with work.” Destiny had guessed what he did for work. Had she told her grandma. She didn’t look at him waiting for him to reveal something. He should have known better than to assumed Destiny would say anything. She dealt in secrets for a living. She wouldn’t reveal his.

“Well, I’m glad you can take time out to visit with us and keep Destiny company. I know Destiny does.” She said with a smirk on her face.

“Grandma.” Destiny hissed in a low warning.

“What?” She blinked big owl eyes in innocence.

Mike felt there was something more to the statement but didn’t know what. He enjoyed spending time with both Destiny and Carol. More so with Destiny but he wouldn’t say that out loud and offend her. “I enjoy spending time with Destiny.” She was like a drug. Every time he was with her, he wanted more.

Unable to resist Mike placed a hand over hers on the arm of the chair giving her comfort. There was nothing to be embarrassed about in their friendship.

Destiny looked up at him and time stood still. Her emerald green eyes bore straight into his soul. Could she see how much he wanted her? Was it written all over his face? He tried hard to mask it but looking at him like that he couldn’t tell. It was getting harder and harder to resist her. How he longed to drag her out of her seat and plop her in his lap. To kiss her luscious lips. To make her scream his name in pleasure. Her eyes heated, burning bright and hot as if she read his thoughts. They had looked like that in the cafeteria when she clung to his arms. He thought it was a trick of light but here it was again.

Ask her, his mind screamed at him.

“Destiny,” He whispered, his words coming out dry and broken. His throat dry and hoarse. His nerves were getting the better of him. He could feel his hands shaking and growing clammy. No, he needed to ask her out. Now was not the time for basket of nervousness.

“Mike,” She looked at him imploringly. As if she knew what he wanted to say and giving him strength.

Mike closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He could do this. “Destiny, I—”

“Hello all,” A cheerful voice called from the doorway.

Both Destiny and Mike turned to see the newcomer. His face pulled into a scowl at the woman standing there in a bright hot pink dress that was way too short and skimpy for a woman that appeared in her fifties.

“Oh no,” Destiny groaned beside him.

“Do you know this woman?” He asked turning back to her.

“It’s my mother.”