Page 82 of Luck of the Draw

It was done because they loved her. It was for her own good. Over and over and over until her vision was blurred with tears and blood. There was no escape from the pit of hell. There was no escape, so you had to simply comply. The pain increased to unbearable levels until Skye was exhausted and collapsed into an oblivion of sheer stone walls. Wedged between the chasm of the rock and the hard place. There was no escape. Her body flattened against the cold, hard slab.

Are you okay,the voice is asking, followed by the gentle hands on her cheeks.

Are you okay,it wants to know, and she wants to answer,yes.

Yes, I’m okay. You’re here and I know you’re a safe place. If you’re here, I’m okay. If you’re with me, I’m fine.

I’m fine.

I’m just fine.

I’m fine.

“Hey,” the voice spoke again, a little louder, and the stone slab softened and warmed. “Look at me, honey.”

“I’m fine,” Skye answered automatically. Her eyelids flinched open, sticking together slightly with the crust of dried tears.

Brennan was kneeling next to the couch at the level of her eyes. His brow was knitted while his face took on that tender expression that had become familiar. He held the sides of her face. Connor, Liza, and their colleague, Frankie, stood behind him wearing worried expressions. Something about their collective faces made Skye want to disappear.

“I’m fine,” she told him again in a barely audible whisper.

He leaned forward, hand gently cradling the nape of her neck. His lips arrived at the shell of her ear, and he spoke quietly. “Sweetheart, you were crying in your sleep. You don’t seem fine.”

The information was mortifying.

“I’m just exhausted, Brennan. I’m just really, really tired.”

“I can take you home,” he offered, still discreet. “I don’t need to be here. I can do all this stuff from home.”

It wasn’t her home. It never would be.

“I’m fine.” Skye swallowed her roiling thoughts and emotions. “I’ll try to be quiet so I don’t bother y’all.”

“Nobody’s bothered. Everyone’s worried.”

She closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. “I’m fine.”

She felt the weight of his eyes on her for a beat or two until he spoke again. “Connor and I were going to pick up some lunch. Will you be okay if I—”

“Brennan,” she clipped, but then attempted to soften her words by stroking his cheek. “I’m fine. I swear.”

He hesitated, and then, apparently not caring that his three coworkers were watching, pressed his lips to hers and kissed her softly. He nodded in their direction. “Liza and Frankie are going to sit with you until we get back. And then I think we should head out early. I think you need to sleep in a bed and not on this old couch.”

Skye forced a smile. “The couch is actually pretty comfortable.”

Brennan stood up and then kissed her one more time. “Shrimp or crawfish?”

There was no longer any point in pretending she didn’t know anything about New Orleans or its food. He meant po-boys, and so she answered, “Shrimp.”

Brennan stepped away from the sofa and then stood between Frankie and Liza. He inclined his face to speak in Liza’s ear. Liza knitted her brow and nodded as she absently rubbed her lower abdomen. She looked like she was going to cry. Skye recalled that Liza and Connor were expecting a baby. That probably accounted more for Liza’s emotional state than anything Brennan might be saying to her. Although, the three of them were really close, so they’d no doubt heard all kinds of stuff while she’d been in hersuper long nap.

Brennan pivoted and headed down the hall that led to the front door. Connor kissed Liza while he placed his hand on her tummy, giving it a sweet, little rub before following Brennan. The front door opened and shut, and Liza and Frankie joined Skye on the couch.

“How’s your tummy, Skye?” Liza asked. “Do you really feel like po-boys? Because I know pain meds can make you feel sick, and I don’t think the guys really thought through the lunch idea beyond just trying to get something fast and easy.” She gestured at the kitchen behind her. “I can make you a regular sandwich if that would be better. Or I have some crackers and peanut butter. I have a lot of pregnant lady snacks that are a little easier on the stomach if you’d rather have that. Maybe some fruit or plain rice, or—”

“Thank you, Liza, but I really am okay.” Skye hugged her arms around her middle. “I’m just tired. I didn’t sleep much last night.”

“You didn’t sleep much, huh?” Frankie arched an eyebrow and pressed her full lips together mischievously. “That sounds like a problem Brennan inflicts upon all of his ladies.”

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