“Stop worrying. What’s done is done. I’m alive and all this shit will heal,” I tell her.
“And when it’s all healed, you’re going to kick their asses, right?” Xan asks.
I shrug. “I dunno. I don’t think it’s worth the hassle, honestly. They didn’t like me before, but now they flat out loathe me.”
“Why?” Tera asks, her expression etched with worry.
“One guess.”
Xander stands and starts pacing. Just as he turns for the third time, Ernesto enters the room.
Xander whistles. “Cage Dude sent the big guns.”
“Damian would be here, but he’s with Ethan,” Ernesto announces.
I close my eyes, and I fist my one good hand. “This is bullshit!”
“It is,” Ernesto agrees. “But we’re going to deal with it.”
I give him a look. “What?”
“There was a Famiglia meeting. This won’t go unpunished.”
“Why?” I ask.
“You’re one of us now. We take care of our own. Giovanni’s upset and Cage is angrier than I’ve ever seen him. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen him lose that calm, cool exterior, but he lost his shit last night.”
I sigh. “I don’t even know what to say. Honestly, I just…”
“You sound defeated,” Tera tells him. “Knock that shit off or I’ll squeeze your casted hand.”
“You’re such a bully,” Xander teases.
“Only when I have to be. Big brother, this will be handled, and it will eventually fade away into the background. You knew going public would force a public reaction,” Tera reminds me.
I nod. “I did. I just wanted all this shit over and done before Lucy’s premiere. Doesn’t look like that’s gonna happen.”
“Not likely, no,” Ernesto agrees. “Just the three, then?”
I nod, knowing he’s talking about Reaper, Mayhem, and Spyder.
“Who brought the bat?”
“Spyder.”
“What else?”
“Brass knuckles belonged to Reaper. Mayhem came with fists.”
Ernesto nods. “Rest up today. We’re out of here and home tonight.”
“Dude, thank fuck. I’m sick of being poked and prodded. Vitals every freaking hour. How’s a guy supposed to get better if he can’t fucking sleep?” I ask, my irritation showing.
“Breathe, big brother. You’ll be home soon,” Tera tells me.
“Will Ethan be home?” I know all of his injuries. Sera called and told me.
“Tonight,” Xan says.
