She had brightened up being clucked over by her mom and watching hockey games back-to-back, but she was so far from fine, it physically pained me to get out of her bed.
I kissed her on the temple after spending the night with her resting against me, letting her dictate which way she could lie comfortably and shifting around her, and it fucked with something deep inside me to go.
But her safety,oursafety, her fucking family’s safety hinged on it.
So, I showered and changed into the suit Luigi had brought over last night.
Then, after a prolonged kiss and a hug that I needed more than she did, I took my leave.
Just as I always would to keep the people who mattered to me safe.
And for my pains, the second I opened her front door, I was met with a fist to the face.
Immediately, I ducked as a set of brass knuckles skimmed over my cheek. I slapped my hand around the knuckles, dug my fingers in deep, then used my hold to break the wrist in question.
All without looking at my original attacker.
When Cade growled in pain, I thundered, “Your sister’s resting, dammit. If you want to fight, let’s take it outside.”
Glowering, he cradled his wrist against his chest. “You have no business being here.”
Before I answered the idiot, I gently closed the door behind me, not letting it make a ‘snick’ sound. “Yes, I think you’ll find that I do. I deserve a broken nose, a broken back, and, fuck, a brokeneverythingfor what she’s endured because of me. You will, however, not do this on her doorstep.Capisci?”
“Cade Shaun Frasier, you are such a dumbass.” Neev, on the verge of heading out for a jog, stepped downstairs in workout gear. “But did you have to break bones, Stan?”
“Haven’t they taught you that the best way to prevent a fight is to anticipate future battles?”
Both siblings blinked at me.
“You must have been a helluva good time growing up,” Neev joked before her expression softened. “How’s Kitty?”
“In pain. Resting.” I glared at Cade. “Hopefully.”
“You have to go?”
“He’d better be heading out to make this shit right.” Cade’s pain was audible, but I had to applaud him for shielding it well.
I sent a cool glance his way then, ignoring him, informed her, “I’ll make the men who hurt her pay for daring to think they could.”
She took a drink from her water bottle. “See me out?”
“Sure thing.”
“Get your ass to the ER, moron. Want me to call Belle?”
“No!”
I stepped aside from her brother, who was grumbling about wives that’d kill him and treacherous sisters, then hid a smirk when that earned him a slap upside the head.
Since Neev walked off with no retaliation, I relaxed my guard before allowing her to take the final set of stairs first.
“Lucas might be waiting for you on the front stoop. He has more brain cells than Cade does,” she cautioned when we made it to the foyer. She didn’t wait for a response, simply dipped her head outside, looked left, then right. “All clear.”
I arched a brow at her. “You’re on my side?”
She studied me a second. “Do you have two minutes?”
“For Kitty’s sister, of course.”
