Page 138 of Riot

“She’s an ex-sniper, like me. And she had a team behind her, granted, most if not all of them are dead. She’s very good at hiding, hence her name.” He coughs as I wince, hating to see him in pain.

“Try and rest.” I kiss the top of his head. Unable to feel anything right now, I keep my mouth shut. He doesn’t need to hear a tirade from me about what I’ll do to this woman when I get my hands on her. I’ll make it my personal mission in life.

“I’m glad you’re here, where’s my dog?”

“He couldn’t come in—” I start, then there’s a knock at the door and Manny appears before we can say come in.

He’s wheeling a food cart with a tablecloth over it, Bandit on the other side trying to contain his laughter.

“On today’s menu, ladies and gentlemen, we have smoked trout on a bed of lettuce, an entree of Caesar salad and if you’re a good boy, we might just give you aCookie!”

Out of nowhere, Manny pulls the tablecloth aside and Cookie jumps off the small shelf onto the floor. He hobbles over and I can’t help but laugh. Riot laughs too, but I know that hurts him.

“Daddy’s boy!” Riot calls as Cookie immediately rushes to the bed, his tail wagging as Riot bends to pat his head.

“We broke every hospital protocol,” Bandit tells us. “And we’re probably moments away from bein’ kicked out.”

“Ye who have little faith.” Manny rolls his eyes.

“Thank you for doing this,” I tell them, watching our dog lick Riot’s hand. “I’m sorry in advance if you get kicked out.”

Bandit shrugs. “Plenty of us in the waitin’ room to take over.”

That’s the thing about this club; they stick together. Nothing is too much trouble for any of them. Not when it comes to one of their own.

I turn back to Riot. “I’m so glad we’re together again.”

“Me too. Now kiss me like you mean it.”

“But you have a busted lip, I don’t want to hurt?—”

He leans up, wincing as his lips press to mine and it feels like home. He’s my home.

Living without him? No, that’s not possible. I would rather die.

“I love you, Myles, now and forever.”

“Not as much as I love you.”

Lace cries about as much as me when we finally get home and Riot’s resting in his bedroom. Casey is on standby to take care of him, but a routine hospital visit is on the cards. Much to his disgust.

“You’re one lucky son of a gun.” She wipes her eyes, perched on the side of his bed. “I don’t know why that crazy bitch would come after you like this.”

“That’s what we’re all trying to work out,” Riot says.

We've only been home a few days, and Riot has been exhausted. My parents came down and I offered them my apartment since I’d be staying here. They’ve been so supportive, especially after seeing the NOLA Rebels rallying around Riot and me.

It’s still hard for my mom to stomach, but Riot didn’t ask for this. And she’s been keeping quiet about any of her displeasure. I never really thought my parents could turn around, especially not my mom, but I guess life has a funny way of surprising you. Dad and Nevada returned, and Antoine was taken in for questioning. He’d skipped out and tried to leave town, and was later arrested.

I’m still in shock when the police told us that he’d accepted a large sum of money for information on our whereabouts. My brother sold me out. I’ve no clue how the hell I’m going to process that, so I’ve put it aside for now. There’s too much going on with Riot’s recovery to deal with any of that.

“Whatever happens, the crazy bitch will get what’s coming for her,” I add. There is no rock this scum can crawl under. I won’t let that happen. “For now, we know she’s left the state. It’s just a matter of tracking her down.”

Riot turns to me, his face even more bruised than it was a few days ago. “I don’t like that tone, it tells me you’re up to somethin’.”

I fold my arms over my chest. “Nothing to see here, baby.”

He narrows his eyes but I ignore him, turning to Lace. I put my hand on her shoulder and she smiles up at me. “I just never thought I’d be sitting at your bedside,” she sniffles. “It’s always you that’s been the one in charge, that can stop anything, Myles.”

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