“I’ll be fine. Give me a couple of days of healing, and I should be good to go. How’s Gran?”
“Worried as hell. She’s gone down for a coffee at the café, but I’ll get her to call you when she gets back.”
I nod, even though she can’t see it. “Okay. And how are you? Really?”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about little old me. I just want you to look after yourself and make sure you look after Effa. I know you and she are meant to be together. She’s the best thing that’s happened to you, Kaden. So please keep her around. No matter what.” Her voice shifts into a more serious tone, and something in my chest tightens. “Promise me you’ll marry that girl…”
“Of course, I’m not letting Effa out of my grasp. She’s the one for me, Kiera. I can feel it. So yes, I promise you.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear it. Because she’s perfect for you. And I love her too. So that’s what really matters, right?” Her tone lifts again, lighter, but the seriousness lingers underneath.
I smirk. “Right.”
The door to my hospital room swings open.
I glance up and immediately spot Luke.
He doesn’t look concerned.
He doesn’t look relieved.
He looks fucking furious.
His face is cold, hard, and controlled in that terrifying way that means he’s holding everything in.
I draw in a slow breath. “Well, booger-butt, I better go. But I want you to know that I love you, and next time I call, I want to hear all about how well you’re doing.”
She laughs, and it steadies me again. “I love you too, Kaden. So much. You have no idea what you have done for me. You’ve been the best brother a girl could ask for. I can’t wait to see you, and if you can, bring Effa with you too. I’d love to see her again, even if it’s just for Christmas.”
“I’m sure she’ll be there for Christmas, but I’ll be there as soon as I can. I promise.”
“Talk soon.”
“Will do. Love you.”
“You said that already. I’m hanging up now.”
I chuckle as the line clicks dead and lower the phone slowly back onto the table. For a moment, I sit there staring at the screen until it dims.
Then I lift my gaze.
Luke is standing at the edge of my bed, arms crossed tightly over his chest, jaw set, eyes locked on me like I’m a liability. The scowl on his face would scare small children.
Hell, it’s fucking intimidating me.
And I’ve just survived a baseball bat to the ribs.
Chapter Twenty-Three
MERCS
Luke scowls at me as I draw in a deep, stuttered breath, bracing myself for whatever verbal beating he’s about to deliver. The man looks like he hasn’t blinked since he walked through the door. His jaw is tight, his shoulders squared, his presence filling the room in a way that makes the hospital feel smaller than it already does.
By the look in his eyes, he knows…
Not the street gang version.
The truth.
