“Whoa, here, sit up slowly,” I link my arm in his and help him sit up. TumTum places his hand on Jason’s back to hold him upright while he gets his bearings. “First off, Izzy is helping cook dinner in the kitchen. Second, let’s get you cleaned up before you go charging in there scaring your girl.”
He nods begrudgingly and lets me clean up his lip and dust the broken pieces of lamp out of his blonde hair.
“I’ll be back with some ice for the swelling,” I say, patting Jason on the shoulder before heading to the kitchen.
“Loyal?” Dex’s voice stops me in my tracks. Looking over my shoulder I expect him to give me an instruction or to get something for him. “Good work.” His lips curl up and I let the compliment settle in my gut.
Walking through the kitchen swing doors I let out a yelp when I bump straight into Damian with a man casually slung over his shoulder.
“Whoa now, what you in such a hurry for?” he asks, one of his hands moving to steady me after I bounce off his chest.
“I’ve got Jason beat to hell out there.” I throw my thumb over my shoulder. “Who the heck is that?”
Damian doesn’t say a word, just grins, whistles and saunters past with Chef and two of the Landry brothers in his wake.
A warm, hard body presses against mine, and I know it’s my man. “You good, baby?”
“Yeah, just getting some ice for Jason’s face.”
“Good girl.” He pats my butt and walks through to the common room, leaving me a mess in the kitchen.
“Ooohhhweee that wasscorchinggirl,” Joe waves her hand at herself and I can’t help the bark of laughter that escapes me.
“Be quiet you! Just do, whatever it is you were doing.” My cheeks flame and I powerwalk to the large freezer we have in the kitchen, sticking my head into it to cool me down while I look for an ice pack or peas or something to take the heat off both me and Jason’s swollen face.
“You wanna know what I was doing?” Joe asks slyly, sidling up to me. “I was busy watching that smoke show you call a man reduce you to a mere puddle on this here floor. Girl.” She shakes her head, grin permanently in place.
“Well, I’m glad you’re feeling better,” I say sarcastically.
“Ohsomuch better,” she cackles, spinning and then runs straight into Justice.
“Well, hey there pretty lady, it’s good to see you’re feeling better,” Justice says softly, echoing my words, but in a flirty way.
“Oh, I, ah, hmm, yep, so much better,” Joe squeaks and I burst into laughter. She tries to send me the evil eye but with one still swollen the whole thing looks more comical than scary, making me laugh even more.
“Ah, did I do something wrong?” Justice asks.
“Nope. You’re doing everything right, little brother. That woman deserves a man that’ll love her from the top of her head to the tips of her toes.”
Justice blushes a little at the praise before looking back at me, brow raised. “Little brother?”
“Yeah, you’re more than a cousin.” He grins at my words. “And you’re a pain in my butt, so little brother seems fitting.”
“Ha. Ha. Well, I’m going to go out and see what they’ve got planned for Hitchens out there.” He turns to leave but I catch his arm before he can go anywhere.
“That’sHitchens? The guy Damian carried in?”
“Yup.”
“I want in.” Shoving a bag of peas at Justice’s chest I storm past him, through the swing doors.
I ignore Joe’s comment of “Incoming!” and walk right up to the man who hurt my little girls. Who hurt Joe. I walk right up to where he lies slumped on the floor and stomp my cute sandal directly onto his crotch before spitting on him.
Chapter 18
Vex
“So, what’s the plan?” Sniper asks, looking at the man lying slumped on the floor where Damian dumped him.
