Page 17 of Hers to Keep

“That piece of shit is dead.My partner killed him.”Rio smiled at her.“I’d love to tell you all about her.She’s really great.”

Rio rubbed Tristan’s hand lightly.“These guys seem pretty dedicated to you.I know you don’t know them real well, but they won’t let anything hurt you from now on.”He leaned down and kissed Tristan’s forehead.“You’re safe, Tris.I promise.”

The room was quiet after Rio finished.He sat there for several minutes and then offered Clarion a sympathetic shrug.“It was worth a shot, anyway.”With a final pat for Tristan’s hand, he rose and walked to Mari.

She hugged him tight, until she thought she might crack some ribs, and wished that she could help.

“Is that her?”a hoarse voice asked from behind him.

Rio whipped around at the same time Clarion sat up, reaching for Tris’s face.The hellhound thought better of forcing contact on him and pulled back his hand.Halcyon closed the distance to the bed and stood looking over Tristan, his expression astonished.

Tristan hadn’t moved much, but his eyes were open, and he was looking at Rio.

“Hey,” Rio said, stepping closer cautiously, aware that the hellhounds were on a hair trigger.“I’m so glad you’re awake.”

“I’m not sure I am.I’m pretty confused about where I am.”Tristan looked between the hellhounds who were desperate to touch him but trying to give him space.“And when I am.”

Rio waited until Halcyon gave him a careful nod to sit at the foot of the bed.“Well first, this is Halcyon and Clarion.”He pointed at each of them in turn.“They have mating bonds attached to you, which is probably a scary thing to think about, but it’s important to explain why they’re hovering.”

Clarion said, “It’s not a thing we would ever force on you.”

“But we want to take care of you while you’re recovering,” said Halcyon immediately afterwards.

“Hi.”Tristan shifted his hand to be closer to Clarion’s on the coverlet.“I get it.I knew some hellhounds in L.A.You can help.I’m just going to need some time for the rest of it.”

“Yeah, absolutely,” Halcyon assured him at the same time Clarion nodded.

“And this is Mari,” Rio said as he held out a hand to her.

She came closer and took Rio’s hand.“Hi.It’s so nice to meet you.”

Tristan showed her a weak smile.“She glows like an angel.”

Rio laughed and brought her hand to his mouth for a kiss.“She really does.”He cleared his throat.“You’re in our house.And you’re safe.That’s the most important thing.”

Tristan nodded.“I don’t remember a lot from when I was here before.Mostly what I remember is growing up with you in the foster home with Maddie and Donna.”

Rio swallowed.“Those were good times.If you have to remember anything, those are good memories.”

“Everything since I came back here is really murky.”

Rio nodded.“We can talk about that all later.”

“Are you hungry?”Clarion asked, quite obviously changing the subject.“We can get you some food.”

“Yeah, actually.Starving.”

Halcyon darted out at top speed and there was the noise of some dishes being moved around in the other room.

Rio said, “Greta is our resident life witch, and I’m sure she’d love to take another look at you now that you’re awake.Meanwhile, I’ll let these guys take care of you tonight and then I can come back in the morning, and we can talk?”

“Yeah, that sounds good.”Tristan sighed.“It’s good to see you again, Rio.”

“You too.I’m so glad you’re here.”Rio took Mari’s hand and led her out of the suite.

Once they were outside and the door was closed, he fell against the wall.“I have no idea what I’m going to tell him.There’s so much.And a lot of it is real fucking bad.”

Mari leaned against his shoulder.“Just answer his questions and be honest with him.I’m sure more than anything he just wants to figure out why he’s here.”

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