“Pietas et unitas,” Lareina says.
Bryce nods. “You’re family, Fiona. It’s about time you get used to what that means.”
Chapter Forty-Five
Fiona
The next day, Josh visits me in the hospital. He comes alone, while Bryce is away preparing for a hearing. I give him a long look, unsure what he wants. I haven’t forgotten what Bryce told me about the bug/tracker he placed in my purse. Although it ended up saving my life, I’m still unsure how I feel about his attempt to spy on me.
He clears his throat, shifts, then clears his throat again and sighs.
“Hi, Josh,” I say.
“Hey.” He shoves a huge bouquet of lilies in my face. “Here.”
“Thanks?” I take the flowers and look at him with a mix of confusion and amusement. “So…?”
“I’m sorry.”
I raise an eyebrow.
“About putting the bug in your purse. I shouldn’t have, but I just didn’t trust you.”
“Well. Bryce and I didn’t exactly have the best history, and I wasn’t exactly forthcoming.”
“Bryce warned me yesterday. He said…” Josh exhales and looks away.
I wait with bated breath.Did Bryce tell his brother everything?I don’t really want it to be public knowledge. It took enormous courage toshare with Bryce, and I’m not ready to do it with others. I may never be ready.
“He said you explained what happened back at school, and he basically said you were a victim. Wouldn’t elaborate, but I trust his judgment.”
My shoulders sag with relief and gratitude, glad that Bryce tried to resolve the bad feelings Josh and Ares might have for me without giving away the specifics of my past pain. “Thank you.”
“So I’m going to trust you, too.”
“That’s all I want, Josh.”
He looks at me steadily for several very long moments. Then, finally: “Yeah. Well. Guess we’re good?”
I smile. “Yes. Thank you. Although I don’t necessarily approve of the tracker, I’m glad you and Bryce found me when you did.”
Pain and fury twist his face. “That should never have happened. They should’ve never had an opportunity to touch you.”
I give him a helpless look. “I know, but people like Aaron and Jude only go after those weaker than them. They’re cowards.” I bury my nose in the flowers and breathe in the sweet fragrance. “But I’m glad to have a brother like you, Josh—loyal, brave and honest. Thank you.”
His expression softens. He rocks his weight back and forth on his feet, then mutters, “What the hell,” and comes over to hug me.
I embrace him back, so like Bryce and yet so different. “I’m glad we got to clear the air. And by the way, next time, bring me a box of truffles. The baby is craving chocolate so bad.”
He laughs. “Got it.”
Later that evening, a box of German chocolate arrives and I gorge on it with gusto. Bryce complains he could’ve gotten it for me, but I shake my head.
“It’s not the same. Besides, this doesn’t mean you can shirkyourduties as my husband to bring me chocolate. I have a separate stomach just for that.”
He laughs, then sends me two boxes the next morning. I text him a haiku and lots of heart emojis.
After two long days, I finally leave thehospital and come home. Bryce wants me to stay longer—maybe until I deliver the baby, from the way he’s acting—but I really don’t like the place.
