“You shouldn’t be worrying about what those two idiot-sticks are doing right now, honey.” She cocked her head. “You need toheal.”
“If one more person tells me I need to heal,I’m going to shove a stick up their arse.”
“Ooh, kinky.”
I took a deep, slow breath. “Christina.”
“Yes, sister of my heart?”
“Please call Minus.”
“No.”
“You know something,” I accused.
She smirked. “I know lots of things.”
“You areinfuriating.”
Cricket laid her palm on her chest and gave me a queenly smile. “Why, thank you.”
Realizing arguing with her was a waste of my very limited breath, I pulled the covers back up to my chest and closed my eyes.
* * *
The quiet din of whispering voices pulled me from a deep sleep, and I forced myself to open my eyes, taking a deep breath as I glanced around the room. Dani, her daughter Daisy, and Ace and Cassidy’s daughter, Tillie, were chatting quietly with Cricket, but my husband was still nowhere to be seen.
“Hi, Till,” I said.
“Hi, Auntie Maisie.” She came over and gave me a gentle hug.
“You’re ditching the animals today, eh?”
Tillie had graduated about three years ago from vet school and was now working with herbrother and uncle at their clinic. We were all exceedingly proud of her, especially considering she’d waffled with her career choices for several years before landing on veterinary medicine.
She chuckled. “Knight and Maverick don’t want me there without them until all this shit with the Spiders is over so I’m hanging with Daisy today. Bonus, I get to see you.”
“Bonus for me too, darling.” I glanced over at my sister-in-law. “Where’s Hatch?”
Cricket sighed. “At theclub.”
Dani met my eyes and gave a subtle head shake. “I’m sure he’ll be here anytime.”
I scowled but said nothing.
“Are you hungry?” Dani asked.
I nodded.
“Cricket, would you mind taking Ducky and Tillie down to the cafeteria and grabbing a few things?”
Cricket narrowed her eyes. “Why?”
“Honestly, I’d just like a little one-on-one time with Maisie, is that okay?”
“Fine.” Cricket sighed. “But don’t do anything stupid.”
The second the girls walked out the door, Dani flew into action. “Hatch and the boys are at Gina’s clinic.”
