Page 119 of Swan

“I will.” As soon as she hung up, I rushed through a shower and got dressed. I grabbed my keys to my car and went downstairs. I’d been home early, which meant the store was still open. I opened the current chat I had with Swan’s brother about random shit and asked him if he was home.

Nah, with Mum and Dad at the compound. Why?

Tell your parents Swan ain’t feeling well. I’m going to grab her to rest at my place.

You got it.

As I walked across the floor, my phone rang. “Brother,” I answered to Griz.

“She at home?”

“Not yet. Headin’ there now. I’m gonna go to pick her up.”

“We can go home to make sure she’s taken care of.”

No. She was mine to care for. “I’d prefer if you let me handle it. If she doesn’t want to come back to my place, I’ll stay at yours in the spare room.” I wasn’t asking, really, and I had a feeling Griz knew that when he grumbled low.

“Fine. Take care of her.”

“Always will. Later,” I said and hung up. My phone rang again. “Birdy, you home?”

“Yeah. I’m heading to bed.”

“Leave the back door unlocked. I’m comin’ over.”

“Drake, I don’t?—”

“Wanna help you, darlin’. You gonna let me take care of my woman?”

There was silence, and then softly she said, “Okay.”

Grinning, I told her, “See you soon.”

Coyote caught me on the way out the front doors as he was coming in. “Hey, where you rushin’ off to?”

“Swan ain’t feelin’ good. Gonna go pick her up.”

“Need me to do anythin’?”

“Nah, I’m good, brother.”

He tipped his chin up. “Glad you got the one you wanted.”

I grinned. “Me too.”

Walking through the back door, I locked it after me and made my way further into the house. I expected to find Swan in her bed, but she was curled up on the couch. At least she’d managed to change into some sleep gear.

She glanced from the television to me with tired red eyes. “Hey.” She even managed a smile.

“Birdy, I thought you’d be in bed.”

She sat up slowly and shook her head. “I wanted to wait for you.”

Christ. My chest compressed. She was always a sweetheart.

I walked over and crouched in front of her, resting my hands on her thighs. “What do you say to comin’ back to my place to rest? Wanna take care of you there if you’re down with that. If you’re more comfortable here, I’ll stay. Already talked to your dad and told him I’d crash in the spare room. Again, it’s up to you.”

“Yes,” she said and then blinked sluggishly down at me.

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