“Good. We can groan in pain together.”
“Mrs. M’s beside herself,” Xander informs me.
I close my eyes and lay back against the pillow. “Mama…”
The last dose of pain pills is starting to take effect because I can barely keep my eyes open.
“Just rest, Linc,” Tera says softly, her small hand running over my forehead and down my cheek.
“So tired…”
30
ETHAN
“Idon’t know how I’m still alive,” I tell them honestly. My jaw’s not broken, just a small fracture so, thankfully, I don’t need my jaw wired shut. I remember when Tera had that. Slurping a blended chocolate milkshake and hamburger through a straw is not my idea of a good time.
“You’re tough, that’s how,” Jesse tells me.
“I was ambushed, man.”
I can’t see out of my left eye—it’s swollen shut. My right isn’t much better. My right cheekbone is fractured and that hurts so fucking bad I’d cry if it wouldn’t make it hurt more.
Damian walks in, dressed in black, looking fierce.
“Do you know how many there were?” he asks.
“Nah. Had to be at least six—including chicks,” I guess.
“That explains the claw marks,” Lucy says, voice vibrating with fury. “Just give me five minutes with them.”
Damian lifts a brow. “Serious?”
Lucy nods, without hesitation. “As a heart attack.”
Jesse whistles. “They’re toast.”
Damian nods. “Especially since Sera’s already called dibs. I don’t think she’ll mind sharing with you.”
It’s the hole in my upper back that hurts the worst. Apparently from a stiletto. Bitches.
Kennedy’s been here since I was brought in. He hasn’t moved from the chair he’s sitting in. He had Ben bring his guitar and laptop late last night. He’s been alert and tuned in to me, while remaining quiet and doing his own thing. The guitar soothes him. The hacking indulges his rage.
“I did some digging,” Kennedy tells Damian.
“And?”
“I might have names.” Kennedy opens his laptop and turns it so Damian can see the screen. “This who’s been causing the other problems?”
Damian’s jaw clenches and he nods once.
“We need to keep Nicole safe,” Kennedy tells him.
“And the kids,” I add.
“We hand-picked the guards this time. These are men who can’t be bought.”
Jesse looks at Damian. “I’m surprised anyone could be knowing they’re gonna be fish bait for doing it.”
