Page 85 of The Refiner

“Like I told you two minutes ago, they aren’t answering the phone. I’m sure someone will be out as soon as they can.”

I don’t know if she’s lying about them not answering the phone, but I’ve had all I can take without passing out on the floor. This lady might not know how to get them to answer the phone, but I do.

Astor won’t like it, but I hope he’ll understand.

“Hey.”

Ten minutes later, my knight in scrubs bursts through those doors, looking like someone pissed on his shoes. “Thank you for coming. Like I said on the phone—”

He cuts me off with a look, snagging me by the arm and tugging me down the hall, not bothering to tell the unhelpful woman at the desk what we’re doing. “The next time my brother is in the hospital and doesn’t call me, I’m holding you personally responsible.”

I nod my head, tears already streaking down my cheeks. “He asked me not to say anything.” I plead with Vance, who only grunts as he swipes his badge, allowing us through another corridor.

“I’m used to women who don’t listen. I thought you were one of them.”

I can’t tell if it’s a compliment or a reprimand. “I’ll do better,” I promise. “I was just trying to honor Astor’s wishes.”

“When it comes to his health, he has no fucking wishes unless Duke and I agree to them.”

The brotherly love rolling off this man makes my heart hurt. I miss having Piper and her bossy self.

“Do I make myself clear, Keagan?” Vance yanks us to a stop in front of a room that says recovery. “My brother listens to you—he respects you. He’ll do what you say.”

“Yes, I understand. I’m so sorry. I promise never to obey him again.”

With a heavy sigh, Vance pulls me into a hug. “It’s okay. I know he’s a pain in the ass. You did good calling me.”

I shake my head into his scrub top. “He won’t think so.”

Vance pulls me back and looks me in the eyes. “Yes, he will because he lo—” He stops himself and rakes a hand through his hair. “He’ll forgive you; I promise.”

And then he opens the door, revealing a pale Astor lying motionless in the bed with tubes in his nose and arms.

I fight off Vance’s hold and rush to Astor’s side. “Astor.” His eyes snap open just as I reach for his hand, hesitating. “Are you okay?” I’m scared to touch him, but don’t fight when he grabs my hand and pulls me into the bed, sliding over with a grimace.

Immediately, I start crying, which seems to be my default mode now. “I’m sorry,” I apologize for the tears. “I can’t stop them. It’s the—” I bury my face in his neck, and his arms go around me.

“I’m okay,” he promises. “It was just an allergic reaction, but I’m fine.”

“Which you wouldn’t have had if I knew you were here.”

At the sound of Vance’s voice, Astor’s arms tense around me. “Whatareyou doing here?” he all but growls.

“I’m sorry,” I mumble, not able to face him. “They wouldn’t tell me anything and it had been so long. I thought—”

A sob racks through me and Astor sighs. “It’s okay. I’m okay, Keys.”

His hold on me relaxes ever so slightly, but his tone doesn’t when he addresses his brother. “It was a simple procedure.”

I hear a chair scrape the floor and I imagine Vance is settling in for an explanation. “A simple procedure you decided to keep from everyone?”

“Don’t talk to me like I’m a toddler, Vance. I had it handled.”

“And you thought what? That when I found out my brother was in the hospital without my knowledge, that I wouldn’t be upset?”

Astor sighs, his voice a teasing whisper as he mumbles in my ear, “You’re so getting punished for this when we get home.”

“The doctor said you had to abstain for two weeks after,” I remind him based on our earlier conversation with the doctor. Apparently, this procedure has a fast recovery time, but Astor will still need to take it easy for a few days and not have sex for a couple weeks.

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