Page 67 of Beautifully Broken Control

My jaw clenched as my eyes burned. There were days where it seemed impossible that she wasn’t still here. Like my phone would ring at any moment, and it would be her, talking my ear off about the stray cats she was feeding behind the house, or some ridiculous girl drama at school, or the new band she’d fallen in love with. Those days, it was as if someone had punched a hole straight through my chest when I realized I’d never hear that voice again. And that hole…I didn’t think it would ever close.

I squeezed my eyes closed for a brief moment. When I opened them again, I slipped the photo into my nightstand. Locking away the memories, trying to shut off the pain. I needed to focus on the here and now. I pulled out my phone and hit Rachel’s contact.

She answered on the second ring. “Cain.”

“Hi, Rachel.”

“It’s good to hear your voice. How is everything?”

I scrubbed a hand over my face. “Things are fine, but I need your help on something.”

“Anything, you know that.”

A flicker of guilt swept through me. Rachel worked her ass off for me, and I wasn’t always the most appreciative. It was probably time to think about another raise. “Thank you. I need you to look into getting a health insurance policy for someone. The same one I have.”

The sound of fingers flying across a keyboard came over the line. “All right. I’ll need a full name, date of birth, and a social security number.”

“The name is Kennedy Charles. I’ll email you the birthdate and social as soon as I have it.”

There was a brief moment of silence. “The woman you brought to the gala?”

“That’s her. How long do you think it will take to get the ball rolling?”

Another beat of silence, this one longer. “Cain, are you sure that’s wise? That she’s not taking advantage of you? Those policies are expensive…”

I tightened the grip on my phone. “I didn’t ask for your opinion, Rachel. I asked for your help. Can you do it, or do I need to call someone else?” The accusation had my blood heating.

“I’m sorry. I’m just trying to look out for you, someone has to.”

“I’m quite capable of looking out for myself.”

“Understood. I’ll get right on this.”

“Thank you, Rachel.” I hung up without a farewell. She didn’t deserve my anger, but I couldn’t seem to hold it in. I couldn’t seem to holdanythingin when it came to Kennedy. She was the one thing that could snap my carefully crafted control in a heartbeat. I let out a long breath. She was safe now, and I would do everything in my power to make sure she stayed that way.

27

Kennedy

My eyes flickered open.They were gritty, as though the sandman had been extra thorough with last night’s visit. I felt as if I’d slept forever. Still, I had the vague recollection of Cain waking me throughout the night, asking me simple questions and inquiring if I needed another painkiller.

I eased onto my side, there was pain, but it wasn’t awful. The sight that greeted me was too adorable for words. Cain was reclined in an overstuffed chair, his head drooping to one side. And behind him, sleeping on the back of the chair, was Chuck, his little head resting on Cain’s shoulder. Snoring away, of course.

The laughter flew out of me before I had a chance to consider that the action might hurt. The quick flash of pain had me gasping for air. Cain shot up in his chair, making Chuck let out a little growl. “What’s wrong? What happened?” He was over to me in a flash.

I breathed through it, as shallowly as possible. The ribs were killing today, and my head wasn’t far behind. “I’m fine.”

“Would you stop saying that? You’re obviously not fine. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“Someone’s not a morning person.” Cain only pinned me with a stare. “Okay, okay. I just laughed, and it hurt. My ribs.”

Cain pulled back the covers and, before I could protest, lifted the t-shirt I’d slept in. He hissed out a breath as he took in my side. It was an assortment of purple and blue.Shit. “I’m going to make you some breakfast, and then we are going to get some pain meds in you.”

I nodded, pulling down my shirt, desperately trying to ignore the little sparks that had danced across my skin when Cain’s knuckles had grazed the flesh there. Electricity that had nothing to do with pain. “I’m going to take a shower and get ready.”

Cain’s body gave a little jolt. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. You haven’t eaten yet. What if you get light-headed?”

I reached out and laid a hand over his. “I’ll be okay. And I need to feel human again.”

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