"It's automatic, it's just what they do
They say 'All good boys go to heaven'
But bad boys bring Heaven to you"
—Julia Michaels

MEREDITH

     I watch as his body falls to the ground. He's dead . . . he's finally dead.

     "Baby," I snap my head over to Reid. There's blood trailing out of his shoulder and he's acting like it's a scratch. I open my arms and make grabby hands like a child does when it wants 'uppie.' Luis gently places me in Reid's arms. I'm careful not to touch his shoulder.

     "Don't worry angel, it's not the first time I've been shot," he says as if it's the most normal thing ever. I find it completely absurd.

     "B-But—"

     "Angel, let's go home." And we do. We walk off that field with all of his men. All walking with pride. Their eyes do not linger over my naked body, but lock with my eyes. They all give me a curt nod and continue. I respect them for this. I mean, after all, they did save me.

     When we get back to the line of SUVs, one of the men hand me a blanket. "Thank you," I say.

     "Of course, darling." He replies with a soft smile to which I return. When I look back to Reid I can't help but notice the resemblance between the two.

     "Brother," Reid says. His brother claps him on the back and greets him. "Meredith, this is Ryan, my brother."

     "Ryan, pleased to meet the girl my big brother is nonstop talking about," I blush and bury my head in Reid's neck.

     Ryan shares his dirty blonde hair with Reid, while his eyes are lime green rather than Reid's electric blue. He's quite tall as well, and definitely muscular. I would be lying if I said he wasn't attractive, but the only one I have eyes for is Reid.

     I wake up in a bedroom . . . my bedroom! I remember falling asleep on the car ride back. I couldn't help it! With Reid caressing my hair and whispering sweet nothings in my ear, sleep eventually took over.

     My room is still the same besides the overwhelming scent of medicine and sterilizer. I look around and realize the IVs in my arm. A heart monitor filling the deathly silence in the room.

     "My angel," Reid takes my hand and kisses each knuckle.

     "Oh my Meredith . . ." I look to my right and see the three people I've grown to love. My family.

     "Oh, honey!" Lisa wraps her arms around me gently. Her warms tears glide down my neck as she cries. "I've missed you so much, I'm so sorry!"

     Next is Holly. Her eyes are red and swollen from crying. Seeing her in this state brings tears to my eyes. "Mere!" We both cry in each other's arms. I've never seen her breakdown like this before . . . she's always seemed so strong. It makes my heart warm that my family was so worried about me.

     "Merebear," Oliver kneels down next to the bed. He gently kisses my forehead and hugs me. The overprotective big brother practically radiating off of him. I couldn't help but notice Reid's jaw clench when he kissed my forehead. It made me bite my tongue to hold back a giggle. "I missed you so much," Oliver admits.

     "I missed you too, all of you."

     Reid takes my hand once again. A look I've never seen before shines through his beautiful blue eyes. It lingers, before it leaves all at once. "Let's get you cleaned up," He says. The Philips all scurry out of the room.

     I let Reid pull out each IV and carry me to my bathroom. He sets me down on the counter and flicks on the light. I squint at the brightness before my eyes zero in on the blood on his shoulder. "Reid, your bleeding!" I exclaim as I pull his sleeve up.

     "Oh, that? It's fine," he shrugged. But I'm not taking no for an answer.

     "Reid . . . you're fucking bleeding," I repeat in a firmer tone. This time, he listens. He looks taken aback by my words.

     "Don't curse," He says. I roll my eyes and reach in the cabinet for the medical kit. I dig around and pull out a needle and medical thread. I sterilize the needle and poke the thread through the hole. Reid, being the man he is, already did the honors of removing his shirt. His beautiful 8 pack and tattoos on display.

     "I already took out the bullet," He says. I nod and wipe off the blood from the wound with alcohol. He winces and his hand suddenly tightens on my thigh. I murmur 'sorry' before continuing. It hurts my heart seeing him in pain, no matter how much it doesn't 'hurt' him. Knowing that something like this happened to him—multiple times before, might I add—makes tears prick my eyes.

     I finish off by tying a knot with the thread. His wound is now closed, but it definitely needs time to heal. I hop off the counter gently, with his generous assistance. I turn around and look at our reflection. I've never noticed how tall he is until now. He's at least 3 heads taller.

     But I am filthy . . . bloody even. My hair is in tight knots while dirt covers my milky skin. My eyes are bloodshot and I'm thinner than usual. Reid's arms wrap around my torso. "I'll let you shower," He says before turning around.

     Something inside me compels me to grab his arm. He looks alarmed. "Yes, angel?"

     I look down at my feet. My toes red nail polish is chipping off. "Join me?" I ask. I dare not look up. I've never felt so embarrassed. What if he doesn't want to? What if he think I'm too disgusting?

     The sound of the water turning on snaps me out of my trance. Reid stands with a towel over his good shoulder and another in his outstretched hand. I take the towel and set it down on the counter.

     I watch as he unzips his jeans. The denim pools at his bare feet. He stands in just boxers. He sends me a sympathetic smile before I start removing my clothing.

     Soon, we both stand in just our undergarments. I take a leap of faith and reach around my body, unclasping my bra. I let the straps run down my arms before it falls to the ground. I look up at Reid, and to my surprise his eyes haven't lingered from mine. He refuses to look anywhere else other than my taupe eyes.

     We both reach down and remove the last piece of clothing, leaving us stark naked.

     So here we are, standing under the hot water that rains down our naked bodies. Reid tips my head back and starts scrubbing my hair with shampoo. I let out a moan in pleasure while his fingers work wonders. He finishes off with lathering in conditioner.

     I do the same to his dirty blonde hair, though he had to kneel down so I could reach. His eyes roll into the back of his head while I work in the shampoo.

     Next is the body wash. He takes the fluffy pink lufa and squeezes out some lavender body wash. His eyes connect with mine once more, as if asking for permission to touch. I grant him with a nod.

     His hands move the lufa all over my body, lingering on my breasts and bum. The dirty water rushes through our toes and down the drain. He doesn't stop until my milky skin returns.

     Reid hands over the lufa and I start with his permission. Soapy water trails down his abs and right to his crotch. To say he was big was an understatement.

     I scrub his body and guide him into the water. His blue eyes are shining with admiration and love.

     "Reid?"

     "Yes, baby?" His hands find my waist and pull me a little bit closer.

     "I—" I hesitate. I'm so afraid of what will happen once I say the word. I take a deep breath and look into his eyes.

     I release my tongue I've been biting for so long, and just say it. "I love you," I blurt out. My pulse in my ears makes my breath shudder.

     His eyes widen in shock. Oh shit! I'm practically shaking on my feet. Was this a mistake?

     To my surprise, a beautiful grin pulls at his lips and show off his straight white teeth. He pulls me into his chest and holds my fragile body against his. His lower member pokes into my stomach, making me blush.

     "I love you too, my angel." His plump lips graze mine. The kiss wasn't rough, but it was passionate and needy. I've been deprived of his kisses too long.