Page 122 of Every Which Way

“What does that mean? My people aren’t here to break the law for you.”

“No, only for you.” Amara moved to the end of the bed. “I’m glad you’re all right.”

“Am I? I have no idea.”

Jax stepped into the room. “The two of you can finish this conversation later.”

Kenna sniffed. She didn’t want to cry. It was supposed to be a happy time, with all of them free. They could heal, given the space to do that. Recovery took time.

Amara stopped at the door. “If Zeyla lives, it will be thanks to you and your team.”

Kenna watched her leave.

“Hey.” Jax settled on the edge of the bed.

She shook her head. “Don’t.”

He hesitated. “Don’t what?”

“I don’t know. But don’t.” She held out a hand, braced against his chest. Pushing him away. Holding on. Either. Both. She had no idea. “I could be a ticking time bomb for a contagion. Or I could be carrying the spawn ofDominatus. Or something else entirely. You have no idea. I could kill you.”

He covered her hand with his on his chest. “That’s the point. Whatever happens to you, I’m there for it. Whatever happens to me, you’re there. No matter what, we stick together.”

Tears rolled down her face. “I don’t like crying.”

Jax chuckled. “Laney said she just has to get it out, then she feels better.”

“She’s pretty smart.”

“So are you.”

“Says the guy who always says the right thing.”

He chuckled.

“Where are Maizie, Ramon, and Stairns? I half expected Langford to come by. Or Miller. Is everyone…” She didn’t even know what to think about what they were all doing.

Jax winced.

“Are they afraid they’re gonna get infected? Am I in quarantine or something?” She looked around but didn’t see any infectious disease things. Whatever those would look like.

“It’s not that. The doctor is going to check you out in a little while, and if you’re up to it, you can be released.”

Kenna waited for the rest of it.

He almost seemed nervous.

“What did you do?” She narrowed her eyes.

“It wasn’t just me. Maizie helped.”

“Jax…”

“Elizabeth is back from her trip. It wasn’t a cruise. She went to the small town where her uncle is the pastor of that little country church, and she was setting up the whole thing. But it’s moot now. You’re not well enough. It doesn’t matter.”

“Explain better than that.”

He winced again. “I figured you didn’t want to do the whole invitations, guest list, packed church with people we hardly know. And months of waiting.Ididn’t want to wait months. We only needed a pastor, our friends, and a cake.”

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