An unexpected voice in the doorway spoke before I could.
“I accept your apology,” Max snapped.
With his arms crossed over his chest and a furious expression, he looked like this was the last place he wanted to be, but…
“You came.”
The words escaped unbidden, without fear of how he’d react if he needed to reinforce his act of not caring about me.
“Yeah, I came to see if we can get a move on with training.” His onyx eyes bore straight into mine as he clenched his jaw. “This is holding shit up.”
I heard what he said.
But he could lie to himself all he wanted. It didn’t change what Iknew. He had no reason to be in that doorway other than wanting to check on me.
Without thinking, I pushed to sit up higher in the bed. My vision blurred. And a stab in my side made me cry out. Breathing heavily, I gritted my teeth through the pain. “Oh, motherfucking shitballs, that hurts!”
Max took a step backward, the movement quick in hopes I wouldn’t notice.
Landon helped me brace and ease back against the pillows. “Do you remember what happened?”
Breathing through the pain, my eyes locked on Max’s. “I stabbed him.”
A hint of pride flashed in his gaze, but he quickly shuttered his expression.
“He punched me.” I blinked as the memory came back to me. My first swing connecting with his side. His reaction. “He tried to?—”
Kingston stepped forward when I choked on the words. Max’s nostrils flared.
“He punched me in the ribs.”
Max couldn’t hide when we were all together. Even though his was the most restrained, the three of them wore identical expressions.
Murderous rage emanated off them.
Kingston glanced at my side. “The doctor said your rib isn’t broken, but he found bruising.”
“Sorry, what?” I lifted my shirt, spotting the fresh bruise on my side and muttering under my breath. “Asshole.”
I lifted my head. All three of their heated stares had fixed on the reddish-purple spot.
“I’m fine.” I tugged my shirt down. “It’s not that bad.”
Kingston sighed. “You might just be sore from the punch. We won’t know if the ribs are bruised right away.”
“Is Ben…”
“He’s with the doctors now.” Landon spat as he glanced at the doorway. “He survived.”
I couldn’t think about that for long, so I shifted focus. “Will this affect me in The Quest?”
“Only if you can’t breathe.” Max snorted as he said it, but his fists clenched as he tore his eyes away from me to pin them on Kingston. “Do I have to be worried about this happening to anyone else?”
Ignoring Max, Kingston explained to me, “A bruised rib could take weeks to heal.”
“Should’ve left when you had the chance, huh?” Max sneered down at me before glaring at Kingston. “I asked you a question, Your Highness.”
He sighed. “I can’t answer that until I know more, Max.”
