Page 115 of Triple Power Play 3
Ethan reaches around me and drags her from the vehicle, setting her on her feet. She whimpers and collapses into him, and he lifts her into his embrace.
“Where are you hurt?” His gravelly voice shakes, and his eyes glisten with tears.
I’ve never seen Ethan cry, and I come apart at the seams. I’m a fucking mess, leaning into his chest for support while I hold on to Aurora.
Her bottom lip trembles. “Your face?—”
He cuts her off with a growl of her name. “Answer me.”
“I stepped in glass. I was scared. The men all looked the same… I wanted to get to you.”
The men look the same because they are the same—on the outside. LAPD in SWAT gear versus Homeland Security’s Special Response Team…in SWAT gear. She would know no difference.Wewould know no difference.
Tears stream down her cheeks, and I brush them away. “It’s okay. We’re here now. It won’t happen again. I swear to you.”
I’ll quit. I won’t leave her side. I’ll sell Kyle’s properties and investments to fund a war against whoever is left. I’ll testify—whatever I have to do to keep us safe.
Ethan’s voice softens yet remains stern. “You’ve been walking around with glass in your feet?”
We saw her take off on the security cam but didn’t see where she’d injured herself. Dante helped her to our room, but I lost sight of her after that. Another reason to add cameras to the bedrooms.
“I need you.” She buries her face in his neck. “Just hold me. Don’t let me go.”
She cries, and I cry with her, my heart breaking for all I’ve put her through.
“I won’t,” he chokes and hugs us tighter, his head against hers, his fingers in my hair. “I’ll never let either of you go.”
The three of us cling to one another, releasing the pent-up fear and emotions of the night until Ethan clears his throat.
“We need to check on Reece, baby, and have you examined.” He kisses her temple. “And don’t tell me no. I haven’t forgotten about you not listening to me.”
53
ETHAN
My neck and shoulders are on fire, my muscles are rigid, and this headache is piercing, but the fear of losing our family keeps me going. I need to tend to our girl and ensure Jax doesn’t snap. He’s holding up, but I worry the guilt will become destructive. I have to guarantee Reece gets the best care. He saved the life of someone I can’t live without, and Aurora cares deeply for him.
I carry her into the private waiting room, Jackson beside me and the twins following. More people have gathered—agents, given their uniforms—and she stiffens in my arms.
“It’s okay. I won’t allow anything to happen to you.”
I’ll never let anyone harm them ever again.
Tears well up. My focus should’ve been on them, not hockey. I should’ve protected them better, should’ve taken Hugo’s threats more seriously.
Reece’s commander perks up when she sees us enter and hurries over. “The orthopedic surgeon arrived, and they took him straight up. They didn’t even inform me. His blood pressure dropped and… He probably wasn’t aware anyhow. He was out of it.” She babbles while her keen eyes absorb every detail of our group.
Aurora sniffs, and her soft voice trembles. “It’s okay.”
“Are you injured? Do you need anything?”
I can’t help but notice how accommodating Reece’s superior is, especially to our girl, and I plan to take full advantage of it.
“She has glass in her feet,” I reply before Aurora can deny it. “And she needs rest—away from the officers who raided our home. No offense.”
“None taken. We’ll move you to a room. Special Agent Bennett, by the way. If you require anything while I’m gone, ask any agent.”
I sit with Aurora nestled in my lap, and she settles into me, her arms wrapped around my neck.
