Page 39 of Last One Standing
Pika laughed, and the sound made the men in the room turn to us.
“Oh, no.” Phoenix sighed. “I had a situation like this happen to me when I first came here. I walked in on Nick and Noel talking about their penises. Are you both okay? I wasn’t okay.”
That just made Pika laugh harder, and I held my side and joined him.
“We’re fine; we’ve heard way worse.”
A soft clearing of the throat behind us made me jump, which in turn made me gasp because the sudden jolt hurt.
“Are you okay?” Phoenix rushed to me, and suddenly they were all hovering.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you,” Angel apologized once I was swiftly and carefully guided to a chair.
“No, I’m just jumpy.”
“Rightly so,” JJ mumbled. “We could have brought breakfast up to you.”
“I know, but I wanted to move around and I…” I looked at Angel’s expectant face; he was so attentive. “Could I maybe sit outside today?”
“Of course.” Angel nodded. “The property is very secure, and we’ve been keeping an eye on the MC.”
“So they know?” Pika asked. “That we’re gone?”
“Yeah. And they’re mad. They might know it’s us—but, like I said, we’re watching them, and the grounds are safe. You can sit outside.” Angel motioned toward the large bay window. “The cliffs give off a lovely breeze, and there are tables and chairs if you want to eat breakfast out there.”
As much as I knew I should get more information on Brick and what he was doing, I really wasn’t ready to talk about it, and eating outside sounded like the best medicine.
“I’d love that.”
“Great. Why don’t you and Pika go out back, and I’ll bring your breakfast?”
“I can do it,” Pika offered.
“I know you can, but help your brother.”
I liked how Angel didn’t make Pika feel worthless. He always wanted to help, and the MC had shot him down a lot, saying he was too young or wouldn’t understand. Angel was careful not to belittle Pika and gave him a purpose even if it was shlepping me around.
“Yeah, okay.” Pika smiled and I let him lead me outside even though I was sure I could do it on my own.
The moment I stepped outside, the scent of fresh salt water attacked my senses and I breathed as deep as I could, not caring that it hurt viciously. This was paradise compared to how my life had been the last few years, and I was going to savor every second.
The view was stunning but as soon as I was sitting, I lifted my face to the sun and closed my eyes. The crashing waves were a symphony for my soul, the heat was a hug promising to mend every bruise, and the smells wrapped me in a blanket of hope. I didn’t know the last time I’d felt as safe as I did right now.
“Here we go.” Angel and Phoenix stepped out, each with a plate in hand, one for Pika and the other for me.
“You want to join us?” I looked at Angel, loving how the hardened man softened whenever I had his attention…as long as he wasn’t perusing my battered body—then he was all rage. “You all can; it’s your house after all,” I said when he didn’t answer me.
“Uh…” He glanced at Phoenix, who shrugged. “Yeah, sure, I’ll be right out.”
Once they went inside, Pika chuckled. “Dude liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiikes you.”
“Shut up, twerp,” I hissed playfully, but warmth filled my chest.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
ANGEL
Phoenix,Pika, Kona, and I sat outside and ate breakfast. Phoenix and Kona talked a lot about music and choreography; Pika chimed in here and there. I, on the other hand, had nothing to contribute, but that was fine. Seeing Kona relaxed—well, as relaxed as a person with cracked ribs could be, was enough for me.
