I’ve never witnessed the look of murderous intent on his boyish appearance.
I’ve never felt like such an ass for not trusting my brother as I do in this moment.
Liam
Searing pain scalds me in multiple places. Voices whir in the background, there’s an incessant scratching sound, and a soft vibration buzzes square on my sternum.
“What the fuck did I drink?”
“Well, hello, big brother. That’s not a hangover, though I understand the feeling.” Ayla chuckles but worry lines her eyes. “Welcome back.”
Cracking my eyes, I stare at the ceiling of her guest room. “How did I get upstairs?”
“Sheer will and violent resolve. And this little girl hisses at everyone who tries to get near you.”
Poe is a girl. Of course, she is. I’m surrounded by them.
“She warmed up a bit with a little tuna. Franklin is obsessed by the way. Can you hear him trying to get in?”
I’d think Christian would lose it with the dog scratching. “Is Christian okay?”
“He was more worried about getting you home and making sure you were okay.”
“No hospital?”
“The guys figured ‘leave no trace’ was a better strategy.”
I’ll have to hear about that later.
“How bad am I?”
“You’ll be annoyed more than you’ll have long term complications.”
I roll my wrist in a go-on gesture.
“Two shots. A gutting graze to the outside of the left thigh. You lost a lot of blood, but Fitz got to you quickly. The shoulder hit a bone and stopped. Three inches in another direction and you would’ve needed a hospital in Wyoming. Or we could’ve lost you. The kitten added complications the guys never could’ve foreseen.”
“Poe.”
“What?”
I point to my chest to the purring black mass. “Poe.”
“Only you…”
I scrunch my brows. It’s about the only thing on me that doesn’t ache.
“Only you would rescue a scrawny, unweaned cat—a black one, at that—and name her Poe.”
I reach up and stroke the fluffball. She fits entirely inside my palm. “I need a vet.”
“It’s Saturday night and nearly ten.”
“Ayla-girl.” That’s it. That’s my plea.
“Fine.” She throws up her hands, and stands, and Poe hisses at the abrupt movement. “I’ll make a call.”
“And I need Sophia.”
