I grinned. “How’s that going? Do I need to be worried you’re going to be a better shot than me?”
“You’re goddamned right you do,” she said with a nod. “I’m pretty badass with a gun.”
We smiled at each other as a veil of acceptance covered her stunning features. She looked like Alexis in so many ways, and I was thrilled that she and Michael had finally found a way to be together.
“I’ll be back in a bit. Thank you for sitting with her.”
Lowering back to the chair, I resumed stroking Alexis’s hair as I continued to talk to her, hoping she could hear me somewhere deep in her dreams.
Chapter 27
Alexis
My eyelids fluttered and I tried to swallow, but my throat felt like someone had jammed a pencil through it. Forcing my lids open, I squinted at the brightness that filtered through the window. I blinked a few times and realized Mom was sitting beside my bed, her chin resting on her fist as she dozed.
“Mom?” I croaked.
Her eyes flew open and she leaned forward. “Hey, baby. I’m here. You’re awake.” She stroked my cheek as I mentally scanned my body. It didn’t hurt, necessarily, but I felt numb. Searching my brain, I remembered finding the camera, and then the tracker...
“There was a tracker on Nick’s car,” I murmured. “It must’ve had a tamper trigger on it...”
“Yes,” she said, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “I don’t know why you went digging for devices under Nick’s car. That was very dangerous, sweetheart.”
“I had a hunch, and I was following it.” I blinked slowly, feeling like the world was moving in slow motion. “Chris was there...” I scowled. “Shit. Is he okay?”
“He’s fine, although I think he’s done with us. We’ve put him in the hospital twice in less than a few months.”
“Eh, he’ll get over it.”
She laughed and kissed my forehead. “Adrian says you’re going to be fine. You were wounded on your back, so you’ll need to stay on your side for a while. You’ll have some scarring, but otherwise, you’re going to be okay.”
“Adrian is awesome. He’s another silver fox hottie. We need to find him a girlfriend.”
“Okay, matchmaker. Let’s get you healed first, and then we can focus on everyone’s love life.”
My eyes darted between hers. “Where’s Nick?”
Mom arched a knowing eyebrow. “He’s been plastered to your side. I didn’t realize how close you two really are.”
Sighing, I closed my eyes. “Crap. I can tell you know. You have mom-dar.”
“What’s that?”
“Mom-radar,” I said, opening one eye. “And don’t pretend you don’t know we’re together. I can read you better than anyone.”
Her lips curved as she stroked my cheek. “I could tell when I saw him sitting by your bed yesterday. He’s deeply in love with you, Alexis.”
“Mmm...” I struggled to stay awake as I felt exhaustion setting in. “He’s going to blame himself for this, which is so fucking stupid.”
“Yes. I believe he already is. When I approached Michael to tell him that I suspected his feelings for you, he said that Nick confessed on the way to the hospital yesterday. And he’s certainly racked with guilt.”
“Why are men so dumb?” I asked, licking the dry roof of my mouth. “It’s obviously not his fault.”
“Because they want the best for us, and they’re cavemen who think pushing everything away will make it better.” She studied me as her smile deepened. “Do you love him too?”
“Desperately,” I said, trying to smile. “So much, Mom. He’s it for me. He’s my person.”
“Oh, baby...” A tear streamed down her cheek as her face lit with happiness. “You’re finally in love.”
