Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 76934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
I almost wanted to cry in relief when we got back to the apartment.
Brio was just coming back with Tuna, who made a beeline for Liam.
“What do you need?” he asked me after relinquishing the leash to my nephew.
“Can you get the wheelchair in the back? I’m just gonna carry her up for now.”
As soon as she was in my arms, she melted into me, burying her face in my neck the whole ride back up to the apartment.
“I cleaned up the mess,” Ezzy said when we moved inside. “I didn’t want Charlotte asking questions when she got up and wasn’t so fuzzy anymore.”
“Is she okay?” I asked.
“Just checked on her. Temp is holding below a hundred. She’s not burning up anymore. She’s knocked out hard. How’s Liam?” she asked as the teen in question walked past to go into his own room.
He probably wanted a few minutes alone to process and feel. I wasn’t going to begrudge him that.
“He’s got stitches in his lower lip, a concussion, and bruised ribs. But he’s okay.”
“Before you ask, I’m fine too,” Alara said.
“Right. You totally look fine,” Ezmeray said with an eye roll.
“Really. Aside from the screaming ankle and my sore throat, I’m okay.”
Her voice was getting raspy as the swelling got worse.
“Well, why don’t you have that man of yours drop you in bed, and I will help you get cleaned up while he locates an ice pop?
Alara agreed, and I deposited her on the bed before checking in on Charlotte myself, then glancing in at Liam, who was in bed, rubbing his ribs absentmindedly.
“Want some meds?”
“I took what Salvatore said to. Just waiting.”
“You did good tonight, kid,” I told him, stepping inside. “It wasn’t your job, but you stepped up. I appreciate that more than you can know. Even if I hate that you got hurt in the process. I’m proud of you.”
He gave me a nod.
“She really okay?”
“She’s got more stuff to hiss at us about, but she’s gonna be fine.”
“I like having her here.”
“I do too. Think we might have to keep her.”
“Sounds good,” he agreed.
“I’ll be right out here; call me if you need anything.”
He nodded.
“Thanks again, kid.”
I moved back out, finding Brio standing there with two glasses of whiskey.
I nearly lunged at it.
When I was done throwing it back, Brio nodded.
“So, you and Alara.”
“How…”
“Please,” he said, shaking his head.
“I know I should have talked to you.”
“She’s a grown woman. And she’s got some twisted thoughts about torture up in her head.”
“Gee, wonder where she got that.”
His smile curved up.
“What I’m saying is, I’m pretty sure I’d have honey on my balls and be eaten slowly by rats, starting with my nuts, if she ever believed I thought I could have a say in her love life.”
“That sounds like her,” I agreed.
“What I saw tonight when you showed up at my place was a man in love. So as long as that’s what it is, I’m happy for both of you.”
“But you’re keeping a meat hook for me in your playroom if I fuck up.”
“I got a dull knife with your name on it,” he agreed. “She’s soft with you,” he observed. “She’s never soft. It’s good for her. You and the kids, you’re good for her.”
“Yeah, doing a real bang-up job,” I said, thinking about how sick or hurt everyone was. Except me.
“Look, we both know shit happens. If any of us thought there was reason to think someone would show up here, there would have been a guard. We all blew this. But everyone is okay. Hurt. But they’ll heal. What matters is you’re here for them now.”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “You guys should be getting home. You’ve got kids to worry about too. And this isn’t fully over yet.”
“I’ll send one of my associates over to be out front just in case.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
“You’ll have your own crew eventually. Don’t mind sharing mine until then.”
With that, he slapped a hand on my shoulder and went to fetch Ezmeray.
Then just like that, we were alone in the apartment.
I did my rounds, checking on Charlotte—still asleep, fever down—then Liam, who had passed back out. And finally, Alara.
She was sitting up in bed, her leg jacked up on four pillows, staring blankly at the wall.
“You okay?” I asked, sliding into bed with her.
“A little in shock, I think,” she admitted, leaning into me. “Is Liam okay? Really?”
“He’s asleep. I’m sure he’s gonna be hurting when he gets up, but he’s alright.”
“But mentally?”
“He’s surprisingly calm about it.”
“That’s what I’m worried about. And it’s not like he can talk to his therapist about this. There was a double murder involved.”
“He’s got us. And the whole family.”
“Yeah. We have to make sure we keep a close eye on him.”
“We will. And you have me too, you know. And your sister. Brio. Zeno.”