Page 35 of Kid
“But this?”
“Maybe people are watching your mother’s house.” Chelsea told me around a tired sigh. “Remember, these kinds of people are sneaky. Maybe they believe if they smashed up his car, he’ll get scared and back off.”
“That’s what I was thinking. But they don’t know the Arrowood brothers.” I muttered. “All they did was piss Kid the fuck off and now all three brothers want to rain hell and damnation down on their heads.”
Chelsea chuckled. “Pretty much. What about the attempted kidnapping? Your mother?”
“I don’t know.” I winced as s sharp pain rushed through the back of my skull. “What daughter wants to think their mother sent some guy to kidnap her?”
“None.” Chelsea sighed.
“My head is killing me.” I moaned.
“Hang on.” Chelsea said and waddled into the bathroom.
When she finally returned, it was to press a cold towel on my forehead.
“That feels so good.” I sighed. “Thank you.”
We remained like that until Demon, Kid, Mamba and Jia descended on my room. I was pretty sure someone sweettalked the nurses into turning a blind-eye to them all flooding my space.
I smiled up into Kid’s face as he leaned forward to kiss my head.
“How are you feeling?” Kid asked.
“Better.” I replied. “Chelsea has been keeping my headache at bay with a wet towel. Don’t look so worried.”
“I shouldn’t have left you.” Kid swallowed hard. “I was so angry—but I shouldn’t have left you.”
“Don’t blame yourself. You can’t be at my side every minute of every day.” I sighed. “There was no way you could have known this would happen. Stop blaming yourself.”
“Tell me what happened.” Kid told me.
I reiterated the story to the group. Demon went silent at the window, Mamba sat in one of the chairs with Jia in his lap. Chelsea climbed into the bed beside me. Her stomach rested against my side with the little girl inside kicking up a storm.
“I’m so proud of you.” Kid told me.
I giggled as my cheeks flushed. “I was trying to save my life.”
“What did the doctor say?” Kid asked.
“They are keeping me overnight.” I told him. “They are worried about a concussion. I mean, I don’t remember hitting my head—but I was knocked around pretty bad when the car hopped the curve then smashed into the hydrant.”
“This could have been so much worse.” Jia muttered.
“But it wasn’t.” I stressed, squeezing Kid’s hand. “It wasn’t and I’m here.”
I kept my eyes on Kid knowing he was clenching his jaws even as pressed his lips into a thin line. For a moment, he closed his eyes, rubbed the back of his neck then bowed forward to look into my eyes.
I thought for sure he’d kiss my lips, but he settled for my forehead before straightening up.
“Okay,” Demon said. “I’m going to take Chelsea home. But let me go grab some food for the two of you because Kid’s not leaving.”
“Kid really, you—” I tried.
The look in his eyes silenced me.
Mamba came over to push my hair back and kissed my head.
