“Watch me as close as you like, Angel, but please take me inside and put me to bed. If you’re still worried tomorrow, I promise I’ll go in.”
“Okay.” Aiden slid out of the car, then retrieved his med bag. “Thanks for driving, Tex.”
“No problem.” He smirked. “Thanks for the show.”
Aiden raised a hand to his blushing cheek. “I can’t believe we did that.”
“He didn’t see anything.” I shot Tex a look. “Right?”
He took in my expression. “Right. Just giving you a hard time. I was focused on the road.”
“See, Angel? All good.”
I eased myself out of the car, biting down on a curse. I’d gotten stiff from sitting in one position too long. Should have stretched and cooled down properly after the fight.
Joyride’s Hummer pulled over at the curb, and Hollywood, Ghost, and Flynn spilled out. They were laughing.
“Hey, man, you were awesome tonight,” Hollywood said. “I’m glad you came out on top.”
“Me too.” He leaned in as if to hug me—faltered at my still bare chest—then settled for patting my shoulder instead.
Tex stood nearby, leaning against the Buick, watching our exchange without a word.
“Glad you’re okay,” Flynn said. “It was a little dicey there for a minute.”
“Yeah,” I said.
“Did you hear us pulling for you?”
I slid an arm around Aiden’s waist. “I heard. It helped.”
Flynn’s gaze flicked to Aiden. “You scared my brother. Let’s not have a repeat of that, huh?”
“I’m fine,” Aiden said.
I glanced over uncertainly at Aiden. Shit. Had seeing me beat on that man brought up ugly memories? Had it made him wonder if I’d ever turn those fists against him?
“It’s okay if you’re not,” Flynn said. “What we saw tonight was pretty intense.”
“I’m just focused on what Knight needs right now.”
“What about what you need?” I protested.
“Later,” Aiden said with a tight smile. “Right now, I want to get you to bed before you fall over. Good night, guys. We’ll check in tomorrow.”
The Hummer took off, and Flynn walked over to collect his keys from Tex. Everyone headed for their cars, calling out a good night as they went.
“Rest up, man! We’ll see you soon.”
Aiden guided me up the porch steps, keeping an arm around me as if he really thought I might faint on him. I was made of sturdier stuff than that, though.
I was tired, battered, bruised. But I would live. It was the first time I’d known that with any certainty since the Serpents found me.
Aiden opened the front door and Waffles yipped and danced excitedly.
“Hey, boy,” Aiden crooned. “I’ll let you go potty as soon as I get my other guy settled.”
He turned toward the hallway. “Bed?”
