“Jesus. You’re killing me.”
“You’re awake!” Her soft voice calls out and she races across the room, her dark hair flying as she throws herself on the bed.
“Shit, baby girl. I’m alright. Don’t you worry about me. I’ve got at least eight more lives.” Kane pats her back and eyes me plaintively.
“Come on, princess. You’re getting the guy’s designer hospital gown all wet.”
I lift her up and settle her on my lap in the chair beside the bed.
“I’m so sorry,” she wails. “I shouldn’t have cried on you. I know you’re all right. I’m just so happy!”
He lifts his eyebrows at her and I shrug. “I’m glad you’re happy. I couldn’t imagine what it would look like if you weren’t.”
After fifteen minutes of listening to her babble, Kane starts to yawn, his jaw cracking.
“We’ll go so you can get some sleep, brother. I’ve taken a few days off of work to watch the restaurant when Judas can’t. Don’t worry we’ve got this.”
He grins at me. “I know you do. I trust you two more than anyone else in this world. You and the princess there are my family. I’ve got your back.”
“And we’ve got yours.” Patting his arm, I smirk. “Don’t mess with anyone else while you’re in here.”
“Nope. I’ll be a good boy.” His sleepy blue eyes close and we slip out the door. I hold Devin’s hand and press a soft kiss to her fingertips.
“He’ll be fine.”
“I believe you. He has to be.”
“Don’t you worry. That guy does have nine lives. You can’t live the life he has with the people he knows and escape unscathed without being a lucky son of a bitch.”
CHAPTER12
Devin
Two months later,I swear as I open the envelope I’ve almost been expecting. Our business is private and we don’t advertise it but I guess they found out.
I sigh and pull out my bag, packing as much in it as I can. The letter says I can protest but I’m not bothering. I’m exhausted and I haven’t been feeling well. My stomach roils in protest.
I stand up and the world whirls around me. I drop to my knees and pull my phone out. Judas is home today.
“Judas?” I whimper. I lie down on the cool tiles and let my head swim away.
“Dev? What the hell is going on? Hello? Answer me, dammit!” I can hear him but it just hurts too much to try and form words.
I hear him start the car and hit the gas. “I’m on my way. Don’t you move. I’ll be there for you, honey.”
Fifteen minutes later, he races in the door and lifts me in his arms carefully. “Are you hurt?”
I shake my head but stop when it makes me queasy. “I don’t feel good.”
“Okay. Don’t worry. I’ll get you to the hospital. I’ve got you.”
He buckles me carefully in the car and then I close my eyes, slipping under.
“I’m telling you she’s sick or something. She needs help. Can you get a damn doctor?”
The nurse lifts my eyelids. “Fill out these papers. I’ll get someone to come get her when we have a room open.”
Judas sits down with me curled in his lap and I moan. “I don’t feel good, Judas.”