“Oh gods, what happened to Mister Hannigan?” She ran over to them and helped Fox get Corbin settled in the car.
“I don’t know,” Fox answered, looking down at Corbin, who opened his eyes to meet his stare.
“Why’d you help me?”
“Because we’re family.” Fox gritted his teeth, looking down at Corbin and wishing he could beat the shit out of him for making his mates worry about him.
A couple of hours later,Fox sat beside Corbin’s bedside, waiting for the man to talk. It had turned out the men who were beating the shit out of Corbin were there to collect on the money Corbin owed for his gambling debts. It seemed a couple of months ago, Corbin was having trouble with his new project. Corbin had been working for an art show, which had gotten canceled because he hadn’t finished the work. He had been so wound up, his manager suggested he should find a way to unwind, and maybe he’d get his mojo back.
Corbin had gone to a poker game with a friend, and after winning his first hand, he thought he’d been on a winning streak. But he still hadn’t gotten his inspiration back. Corbin didn’t know the guy who’d invited him to the game had been running a scam on him. He’d been winning every game he’d played, gaining confidence Lady Luck was on his side the more money he’d bet. And once he was hooked on gambling, the guy had rigged it so Corbin started losing. And the more he lost, the more he’d play, trying to win it all back until he had nothing else to lose, except his life and possibly his mates.
“How come you’re not laughing and mocking me?” Corbin asked, breaking into his thoughts.
“What the fuck kind of question is that?”
Corbin chuckled, then hissed in pain, holding his side. He had a sprained wrist, and his ribs would be sore for a couple of days, but nothing was broken. “The old Fox I know would have been laughing at me right now. Trying to get me as far away from Zev and Moressa as he could.”
Fox rolled his eyes. “I’m no longer the old Fox. As for Zev and Moressa, they love you too damn much for me to try and break you guys up.”
Corbin turned his head away from Fox. “Sorry I’ve been such an asshole to you over the years.”
“Wait, don’t do that,” Fox said, and Corbin looked at him in surprise. “Don’t start apologizing to me, not before you patch things up with Zev and Moressa. Once I know you three are all happy and sickly sweet in love again, then you can apologize. Until then, keep being the same asshole you’ve been over the years.”
Fox didn’t hate or dislike Corbin. The man simply frustrated him. He had two people who loved him, and for some reason, he took that for granted. All he had to do was talk to Zev and Moressa about what was bothering him and let them help him work it out. But instead, he’d gone and did something stupid. Fox stood and walked out of Corbin’s hospital room without saying anything else. Zev was standing outside of Corbin’s room with his head down and looked up when he heard the door close.
“How can I thank you for saving him?”
Fox shrugged his shoulders. “We’re family, Zev. No thanks needed.”
Zev stood up straight and walked over to Fox, pulling him into a tight hug. “You really are something else, little Fox. You really are the heart of this family.”
“You’re not so bad yourself, brother wolf.” He hugged Zev back, giving his brother some comfort. “And if I’m the heart you’re the strength. Take it easy on him. As long as he knows you and Moressa love him, it will give him hope. He simply lost his way for a bit.”
Zev leaned back and peered into Fox’s face. “You sound like you’re speaking from experience?”
“I think I am, but I can’t remember what happened.”
“It will come back to you.”
Fox nodded and stepped back from his brother’s embrace. “Go be with him.”
Zev leaned down and kissed Fox on his forehead. “Thanks.”
Fox watched his brother enter his mate’s room, knowing Zev and Moressa would surround Corbin with love. Fox only hoped he held onto it and never let go.
* * *
“Are you all set?”Fox asked Ava.
Alistaire was still at work, and he, Ava, and Genesis were the only ones at home since Zev and Moressa were with Corbin at the hospital. After visiting Corbin in the hospital, his parents had gone to a business dinner in Valleywood and wouldn’t be home until the next morning. Alistaire had given him an earful about putting himself in danger by taking on those guys and not calling the sheriff’s department. He’d had to make a promise he’d never do something like that again or he’d be punished.
“Yup.” Ava got in bed and pulled the covers over her lap.
“I know you’re probably too old to have someone tuck you in but bear with me for a bit.”
“I don’t mind,” Ava whispered. “You can tuck me in every night if you want.”
Fox smiled and gently brushed a lock of hair from her face. It had grown a bit longer from the first time they’d met. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to take you shopping as I had planned. If you’re not busy tomorrow how about me, you, and Genesis give it another try?”
