“Do you want to go back to sleep?” Rory asks quietly.
I shake my head. “What are yours and Mase’s injuries?” I ask her.
“Concussions. Mase has bruised ribs and I’ve got three stitches in my forehead.”
I lift my head and study the neat stitches just above her eyebrow.
“It doesn’t look like it’ll scar,” I tell her. Rory shrugs like that doesn’t really bother her.
“Oh, Alec.” Helen comes over and fusses over me. I meet Jace’s eyes and he snickers behind his mother’s back.
“Do you need anything, sweetie?” Helen asks, fluffing my pillow behind me.
“I’m okay. Thank you, Helen.” My polite words don’t stop her from hovering over Flynn’s shoulder as he checks the vitals monitor beside me.
Dom gives me an amused look and I return it.
Devon and Jace are having a quiet conversation in the corner of the room. Judging by the way his eyes flick to Rory every now and again, I’d say Jace is giving Devon the full story. We gave them a brief run down on the phone a few weeks ago but it’s probably best that they know what’s going on.
Flynn’s phone beeps and he quickly excuses himself. He addresses Devon and Helen. “I’m sure if you’re anything like your son, then I can’t convince you to leave but Alec, Mason and Rory need to rest.”
Flynn glances at me and I nod.
“Of course.” Helen ushers Mase back to his bed. He makes Maverick push his bed closer to Rory and I. Mav rolls his eyes but obliges to his brother’s wishes.
Jace and Davon bring some chairs over and everyone crowds around Rory, Mason and I.
I smile as Rory catches up with Helen and Devon who hang on to her every word. I’m acutely aware that Dom hasn’t taken his eyes off me since I woke up.
For a moment, I let myself pretend—something I don’t normally allow myself to do.
We’re not in a hospital.
We’re all okay. Mase, Rory and I aren’t injured and could have almost died.
Dom didn’t give up on us. I didn’t leave. I don’t have a hole in my heart that won’t ever be filled again.
But I have my brothers. I have the girl I would fight Hell and Heaven to protect.
Rory intertwines our fingers, that gold streak in her orange and yellow irises like a beacon tugging me back.
For once, I don’t ask for her permission to press a tender kiss on her cupid-bowed lips—the love in her eyes being enough.
Pretending over.
. . .
Rory ~
I’ve just reached six hundred when I hear a chair creak.
My eyes flick open as a shadow crosses the dark room lit only by a sliver of light coming from the window.
Bitterness settles into my soul as my bed dips, accommodating for the extra weight. Despite the hurt, I can’t find it in me to move away when Luc’s arm curls around me but I don’t roll to face him either.
I’ve had hours to mull over today.
Helen and Devon stayed until Jace kicked them out, telling them I need to rest. They reluctantly went home but made it very clear that they are coming back every day until we’re out.
