Page 273 of Saving Her

“Your face is bruised.” His fingers stop their delicate caress, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Did he hurt you? Before I got to you, did he—”

“No. I’m good. Robert rammed his truck into Sarah’s car. The worst of my injuries are from the deployed airbag.”

I don’t want to concern him with the intricate details of my battle scars. None of that matters now.

He sinks farther into the pillows, his shoulders losing their tension. “Then tell me what I need to do to make you happy. I want to see that gorgeous smile.”

My stomach does a swooping roll, tumbling and turning. This man is everything. All my hope. All my security.

He’s my way home. I have to finally let go and allow him to guide me there.

“I am happy.” I smile from deep in my heart, with all of the optimism I can muster. “You make me unbelievably happy.”

He doesn’t respond. Not in words. Just with the lazy grin that fills me with unending warmth.

“Sorry to interrupt.” The nurse walks into the room, skirting the bed to stop before the heart monitors on the other side. “It’s time to check the patient. And you—” She gives me a one-second glance. “—have a visitor.”

“Me?”

She nods and turns her attention to the door.

I do the same, finding my brother standing there, face solemn, legs stiff.

“Oh, God, Sebastian.” I shove from my chair and rush to him, gently engulfing him in a hug.

He tenses, taking two seconds to relax into the embrace before returning the gesture. “Hey, Pen. I’m glad to see you, too.”

“Are you okay?” I inch away to look at him. “Have you seen Sarah?”

He eyes the nurse with suspicion. “She’s recovering. It takes a lot to knock the wind out of her sails.”

I step back, understanding his hint for subtlety.

“How’s he doing?” He jerks his chin toward the bed. “Did they give him the lobotomy I hoped for?”

“Very funny,” Luca growls.

The nurse chuckles. Sebastian gives a faint smirk. But something’s not right. I see more than weary exhaustion in his features.

“How’s your leg?”

“Flesh wound. It’ll heal.”

“Then there’s something else. What’s wrong?”

He shrugs. “Nothin’. I just, ahh…” He rubs the back of his neck. “I thought with your enforcer laid flat you might want some additional support.”

I nod. “Thank you. I’m glad you’re here.”

He cringes, meeting my gaze. “Pen, I wasn’t talking about me.”

“Then what do you mean?” I lower my voice. “What’s going on?”

He pauses, the silence growing tense. My heart beats double time, drawing out the quiet. It isn’t until his nose crinkles in apology that I understand. Without words or action, I know exactly what he’s done before he says, “Mom and Dad are waiting at the entrance to the ward.”

I hold my breath against the arrhythmia.

“Jesus Christ, Decker,” Luca snarls. “Are you a fucking idiot? You can’t dump this on—”

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