“Agreed, brother.” Finding my prize, I pluck the wrapped straw from the packages of condiments and quickly free it from its prison. After twisting the cap, I pop the straw inside.
Grimm shakes his head. “We can’t let anyone know she’s here, brother.”
“I know.” My shoulders slump. “I imagine she’s going to hate that given how close she and her kin are.”
“I’ll leave you to work your magic. You’re her savior.” Aries places a hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “She’ll listen. Say a prayer to the man upstairs for us. I’ve got a feeling we’re going to need it.”
“With this lot, I never really stop praying,” I mumble.
Aries chuckles as he stalks over to the table where Shadow and Road Captain Ice are seated.
I return to the room to see her slightly slumped against my headboard.
“Where are my parents?”
“We haven’t contacted them yet.”
“What? Why?” Her breathing increases.
“We’re not sure it’s safe.”
“Oh God.” Her face crumbles. “Did they come back and shoot up the funeral home?”
“No.” I shake my head. “We haven’t heard anything like that, but the place is crawling with police.
She relaxes. “They’ve probably reported me missing by now. You can’t let them believe I’m dead.”
“Right now, our hands are tied.”
“Oh fuck that.” She sits up and groans, falling back against the headboard.
“Easy. You’ve got some healing to do.” I walk over, holding out the straw.
Wrapping her plump lips around the cylinder, she takes a sip. “You can’t keep me here against my will.”
“If you tried to get out of that bed right now, you’d only hurt yourself more. Probably open up your wound, too.”
Her nostrils flare, and she narrows her gaze. “I won’t always be weak.”
“I’m not your enemy, love. I’m the middleman trying to do what’s best for you and my brothers. You go out there uninformed and half-cocked, and you might not be so lucky with the next attack.”
She flinches.
“I don’t want you at odds with me, Queenie.”
“What do you care?” She’s seething, hurt, and scared. I don’t begrudge her
I lean in. “I think you know; I’ve always cared.” I hold her gaze.
Her breath increases, and her lips part slightly. An understanding passes between us. I feel the ability to keep a friendly distance began to go up in flames. She’s dangerous, my flower, spreading her natural pollen in the air and drawing me to her like a bee searching for food. She could ruin me. Or maybe bring back that shriveled, dead organ acting as your heart. Either outcome could be utterly disastrous and needs to be avoided at all costs.
Breaking the eye contact, I lean away from the bed. “So you know I’m looking out for your best interest, I’m going to see if they’ve found out anything else new.”