by Anne Mercier
I nod. “I figured. This is going to be a problem—a big problem.”
“We also have another we need to discuss.”
I lift a brow.
“Senator Harrison has decided to throw in his bid for President,” Gio tells me.
Now both brows shoot up. “That is definitely going to make waves.”
Gio nods. “He’ll have to be handled in just the right way.”
I nod in return. “And so he shall.”
29
LINC
“Oh my God,” Tera says as she rushes into my hospital room. They insisted on keeping me overnight. I just wanted to get the hell out of here and home. Then the doctor suggests waiting a couple of days before flying. Fuck that. As soon as I’m out of here, I’m on my way home.
Tera hugs me—gently—which I’m kinda grateful for. My busted ribs hurt like a son of a bitch.
“I’m all right,” I tell her.
Xander snorts. “Dude, at this point even I could kick your ass.”
I lift a brow. “Wanna try? I’ve fought with a broken hand before.”
Tera pauses. “I thought it was your arm?”
“It is—it’s both, same side though so I’m golden,” I tell her, slowly lifting the cast that goes to just below my elbow.
“Fuck, man,” Xander says, shaking his head. “What happened?”
“I got jumped. Spyder, Reaper, and Mayhem—they had weapons.”
Tera nods. “I heard a bat was involved.”
“And brass knuckles.”
“That explains the swollen face and bruises. Even after your hardest fight, you never looked like this. What can I do?” Tera asks.
“Stop worrying. What’s done is done. I’m alive and all this shit will heal,” I tell her.
“And when it’s all healed, you’re going to kick their asses, right?” Xan asks.
I shrug. “I dunno. I don’t think it’s worth the hassle, honestly. They didn’t like me before, but now they flat out loathe me.”
“Why?” Tera asks, her expression etched with worry.
“One guess.”
Xander stands and starts pacing. Just as he turns for the third time, Ernesto enters the room.
Xander whistles. “Cage Dude sent the big guns.”
“Damian would be here, but he’s with Ethan,” Ernesto announces.
I close my eyes, and I fist my one good hand. “This is bullshit!”
“It is,” Ernesto agrees. “But we’re going to deal with it.”
I give him a look. “What?”
“There was a Famiglia meeting. This won’t go unpunished.”
“Why?” I ask.
“You’re one of us now. We take care of our own. Giovanni’s upset and Cage is angrier than I’ve ever seen him. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen him lose that calm, cool exterior, but he lost his shit last night.”
I sigh. “I don’t even know what to say. Honestly, I just…”
“You sound defeated,” Tera tells him. “Knock that shit off or I’ll squeeze your casted hand.”
“You’re such a bully,” Xander teases.
“Only when I have to be. Big brother, this will be handled, and it will eventually fade away into the background. You knew going public would force a public reaction,” Tera reminds me.
I nod. “I did. I just wanted all this shit over and done before Lucy’s premiere. Doesn’t look like that’s gonna happen.”
“Not likely, no,” Ernesto agrees. “Just the three, then?”
I nod, knowing he’s talking about Reaper, Mayhem, and Spyder.
“Who brought the bat?”
“Spyder.”
“What else?”
“Brass knuckles belonged to Reaper. Mayhem came with fists.”
Ernesto nods. “Rest up today. We’re out of here and home tonight.”
“Dude, thank fuck. I’m sick of being poked and prodded. Vitals every freaking hour. How’s a guy supposed to get better if he can’t fucking sleep?” I ask, my irritation showing.
“Breathe, big brother. You’ll be home soon,” Tera tells me.
“Will Ethan be home?” I know all of his injuries. Sera called and told me.
“Tonight,” Xan says.
“Good. We can groan in pain together.”
“Mrs. M’s beside herself,” Xander informs me.
I close my eyes and lay back against the pillow. “Mama…”
The last dose of pain pills is starting to take effect because I can barely keep my eyes open.
“Just rest, Linc,” Tera says softly, her small hand running over my forehead and down my cheek.
“So tired…”
30
ETHAN
“I don’t know how I’m still alive,” I tell them honestly. My jaw’s not broken, just a small fracture so, thankfully, I don’t need my jaw wired shut. I remember when Tera had that. Slurping a blended chocolate milkshake and hamburger through a straw is not my idea of a good time.
“You’re tough, that’s how,” Jesse tells me.
“I was ambushed, man.”
I can’t see out of my left eye—it’s swollen shut. My right isn’t much better. My right cheekbone is fractured and that hurts so fucking bad I’d cry if it wouldn’t make it hurt more.
Damian walks in, dressed in black, looking fierce.
“Do you know how many there were?” he asks.
“Nah. Had to be at least six—including chicks,” I guess.
“That explains the claw marks,” Lucy says, voice vibrating with fury. “Just give me five minutes with them.”
Damian lifts a brow. “Serious?”
Lucy nods, without hesitation. “As a heart attack.”
Jesse whistles. “They’re toast.”
Damian nods. “Especially since Sera’s already called dibs. I don’t think she’ll mind sharing with you.”
It’s the hole in my upper back that hurts the worst. Apparently from a stiletto. Bitches.
Kennedy’s been here since I was brought in. He hasn’t moved from the chair he’s sitting in. He had Ben bring his guitar and laptop late last night. He’s been alert and tuned in to me, while remaining quiet and doing his own thing. The guitar soothes him. The hacking indulges his rage.
“I did some digging,” Kennedy tells Damian.
“And?”
“I might have names.” Kennedy opens his laptop and turns it so Damian can see the screen. “This who’s been causing the other problems?”
Damian’s jaw clenches and he nods once.
“We need to keep Nicole safe,” Kennedy tells him.
“And the kids,” I add.
“We hand-picked the guards this time. These are men who can’t be bought.”
Jesse looks at Damian. “I’m surprised anyone could be knowing they’re gonna be fish bait for doing it.”
Damian smirks. “After we play.”
Jesse shudders. “You’re fucking scary man.”
Damian nods.
“I’m fucking starving and this soft food shit isn’t cutting it,” I complain.
“Want a steak? We’ll put it in the blender with gravy for you,” Lucy tells him.
“That ruins the steak. This sucks.”
“Time for your pain meds,” the nurse announces.
Kennedy’s like a big brother to Nicole. He’s going to bury his worry, but it’ll be there. I’ll have to get him alone to talk. Maybe he can help find out who did this to me and Ethan, but I think Damian might already have an idea.
I take the meds, gratefully. It doesn’t take long before the quiet conversation sounds hushed, and then I drift off to nightmare-filled dreams.
31
LINC
I take the elevator upstairs. It was installed in CFD for this very reason… and for when the guys were so drunk, they couldn’t walk up the stairs. Mama’s already hovering, bringing me ice packs.
“I need to shower. There’s dried blood…” I begin.
; Kennedy stands from the chair by the window where he was getting ready to strum his guitar.
“I’ll help you, man. You can’t reach the back.”
I press my lips tight. I hate being helpless. But I appreciate the gesture, so I give him a nod. “Thanks.”
I step in the shower and that’s when I realize I can’t use my arm. It’s in one of those hard-plastic casts you can take off but are advised not to.
“Fuck,” I mutter.
Kennedy strips down to his boxers and gets in with me. “I got ya man.”
I tilt my head under the spray, and pink and red tinge the water that swirls down the drain.
“You supposed to wash by those staples?” he asks.
I shrug. “I don’t give a fuck. I want that blood gone.”
He nods, grabbing the shampoo and carefully washing my hair, picking at the dried blood. “You can rinse. Pretty sure I got it all.”
Kennedy’s hands gently rub my scalp, making sure there’s no soap or blood left. I’ll never be able to repay him for this.
“Let’s see your back, Knox.”
Kennedy rarely calls me Knox. He’s trying like hell to keep this impersonal and I appreciate it. Still, it’s not just anyone I’d let help me like this. Not Jesse, not even Xan.
“Fuck,” Kennedy mutters, lathering up a washcloth with body wash.
“It feels as bad as it looks.”
“They broke it. Must’ve been steel-toe boots,” Kennedy deduces. “I’d like to return the favor, but my steel toes would beat their face until they were unrecognizable.”
I look at him over my shoulder, his eyes are narrowed slits, his jaw clenched.
“I wouldn’t want you to do that. Not worth it.”
“I don’t know,” Kennedy muses. “I think I’d gladly take a few years in a cell for payback.”
“It’s a good thing we’ve got the Russo’s on our side and we don’t have to.”
He grunts. “Blood’s gone. You need anything else?”
I shake my head. “Nah. I think I can get the front.”
“You’ll need help getting dressed,” he reminds me.
I nod. “Ethan will need you.”
Kennedy nods, wrapping a towel around his waist. “I’m waiting.”
I lean against the shower wall when he shuts the door behind him. I need time alone, time to clear my head. I need silence. The spray of the shower helps me relax. When I’m finally calm, I grab the washcloth and clean the rest of the blood off, avoiding the stitched areas.
I turn the water off and Kennedy’s there. He’s got a towel, and he helps me dry off, then wrap it around my waist.
“Better?” he asks.
“Much. Thanks, man.”
He says nothing, but he knows what this means to me. Unconditional love and acceptance.
Family.
32
ETHAN
“Stop fussing,” I snap, tired and hurting. “I know you mean well, Luce, but I just really don’t want to be touched right now.”
She nods, knowing why.
“I’m going to try to shower.”
“Linc’s already up there,” Tera tells me.
My heart jumps in my chest. My guy. He’s as fucked up as I am.
When I walk toward the stairs, Mrs. M clears her throat and gives me a stern look.
“Elevator it is,” I mutter.
“You boys. Stubborn,” Mrs. M mutters. “I’ll make you something to eat.”
“I’d cry for some chicken enchiladas,” I tell her.
She snickers. “It’s a good thing I have some in the freezer.”
“You’re my queen.”
The elevator doors close, and I breathe easier. Now I can be me. I can hurt, I can be angry, I can relax.
When the doors open, Kennedy’s waiting.
“Ethan,” he says, pulling me into a loose hug. “Brother.”
“I’m okay… or I will be,” I tell him honestly.
“The nightmares…”
I nod as he steps back.
“They’ll fade again,” I tell him. It’s now I get a look at him. “You walking around here naked, man?”
He chuckles. “No. I helped Linc.”
My teeth grind and I nod. Those bastards. They’ll pay.
“You’re gonna need it too.”
“Yeah. He okay?” I ask before we go into mine and Linc’s suite.
“Pissed off, but calmer now that he’s home.”
“I can understand that,” I reply. I need to see him.
When I get into the room, there he sits. My big fighter, bruised, battered, and broken—just like me.
“We’re quite the pair,” I say, announcing my presence.
Knox looks up from the magazine he’s flipping through.
“Babe,” he mutters, so much pain in his voice—I’m not sure whether it’s for me or him, maybe both.
I walk over to him and sit next to him. We hug, but not tight.
“We’re nearly identical,” I whisper against his shoulder.
“Your face is way worse.”
I nod. “Your shoulder…”
He grunts. “Your hand.”
I sigh. “It’ll be a while before I can strum the chords.”
We don’t pull back, and Kennedy just remains sitting in the chair in the corner, silently. He’s the only one who’s ever seen us like this—this intimate. He’s the only one we’ve trusted enough—from day one. He never judged, never teased. It never mattered one way or another to him—just as his preferences don’t matter a fuck to me.
“You need to shower,” Linc informs me.
I nod. “There’s blood everywhere.”
He pulls back. “Kennedy helped me.”
We stare into one another’s eyes, knowing how much that meant to him, knowing Kennedy doesn’t think Linc’s going to grope him or get hard just because he’s helping him. It’s everything.
“I’ll help you, too, if you’re ready?” Kennedy asks.
I swallow hard, trying not to cry like a girl. I’ve never been a crier, but this—this touches my heart.
I nod. I press a palm to Linc’s cheek. “I’ll be right back.”
Linc nods.
When we close the bathroom door, I turn to Kennedy and embrace him—not in a way that would make him uncomfortable. This is an embrace of gratitude and brotherly love.
“Thank you.”
“Stop.”
“No. You sat with me all fucking night. You come home, get maybe two hours sleep, and then help Linc and keep him company.” I hold his shoulder. “Thank you.”
He nods. “You’d do the same.”
I absolutely would.
“Your face…” he begins then trails off.
“I know it’s bad. I need ice packs on according to the instructions. I hope we have enough to rotate between me and Linc,” I mutter.
Kennedy scoffs. “Please. With Jesse around and all the scuffles he’s gotten into with dudes who didn’t appreciate their chick sucking him off—rockstar or not—we’ve got tons.”
I start to laugh but groan instead. “Everything hurts.”
“When we find out who did this and who ordered it, they’re going to hurt a lot more before they burn in hell,” Kennedy tells me.
“Famiglia.”
He nods.
After washing my hair and cleaning off the blood on the parts I can’t reach, Kennedy steps out of the room. I stand there, the water spraying atop my head and running down my body.
When I’m feeling a bit more like myself, I turn the water off and there’s Kennedy. Ready with the towel. I hope he knows how much this means to me. I’d tell him again, but it makes him uncomfortable and that’s the last thing I want him to be.
Open affection is something Kennedy’s not had much of in his life. The most I’ve seen him embrace is with Nicole. He doesn’t hold back with her. I think he senses a kindred spirit, maybe.
After putting my boxers on, I get into bed next to L
inc and lean back against the pillows. I let out a long sigh.
“I hate hospital beds.”
Linc makes a sound of agreement. “I hate hospitals. I got shit for sleep.”
“That’s the worst. You’re finally in a deep sleep and the fuckers wake you up again,” I sneer.
“Right?”
“Mrs. M’s heating up some chicken enchiladas for us.”
Linc looks over. “You sure you can chew that?”
“They’re soft enough. That doesn’t hurt so much as this hole in my back—well, it’s stitched shut now. Some bitch whacked me with her stiletto. I don’t know if she meant for it to get stuck in my back, but she’s down to one shoe. These aren’t cheap ones either. These are those red bottom ones Tera likes,” I tell him.
He whistles. “Upper crust lowering themselves to such a level?”
I shrug. “I don’t know who would’ve wanted this done. I mean, there are a lot of haters right now, but I don’t think this was random.”
“No. It wasn’t.”
Tera brings in some ice packs, and the minute she sees me, she bursts into tears.
“Aw, hell,” Linc mutters.
“Tera,” I say softly, and hold my arms out for her.
She walks quickly over and is careful not to jar my ribs.
“Ethan,” she wails.
“Shh, I’m okay, T. I’m okay.”
“You’re not. You’re all bruised and swollen and it’s so horrible.” Another wail.
“You saying, I’m ugly?” I ask, trying to lighten the moment.
She nods. “You look like you went ten rounds with the Hulk.”
“Sorry, but the Hulk is right next to me and he’s bruised up too.”
“I know,” a high-pitched cry.
“Stop now or you’ll make yourself sick. We don’t want get the little one upset,” I remind her, rubbing my uncasted hand over her belly.
She leans back and Linc hands her the tissue box.
“I’m sorry,” she apologizes, then blows her nose loudly, reminding me of Sera. “Hormones.”
