Page 15 of Cryptic Curse

“This is Eagle.You know what to do.”

That smug voice of his.

“Get your ass to the hospital now, you fucking ingrate,” I grit out.“Dad’s awake, finally.And bring your damned ID.”

I shove my phone back in my pocket.

I’m done.

Why is itmyresponsibility to get Eagle here?Why is it always my responsibility to do what needs to be done?

I get it.While Falcon was incarcerated, all of the oldest child duties fell to me, as the next oldest boy.

Falcon’s been out for nearly a year.But now he’s engaged, going to start his own family.

So I guess everything willstillfall to me.

I walk up and down the corridor several more times, passing Vinnie and Raven each time.I don’t make eye contact.

As I’m heading around the corner, going the other way, Grace stops me.“You doing okay, Hawk?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Can I get you something?Coffee?”

I shake my head.“Trust me, caffeine is not what I need.”

“Valium?”She grins.

That gets a chuckle out of me.“I’m good.Just dealing with my little brother’s shit, as usual.”

“I’m sorry.”She lays a hand on my upper arm.“Why don’t you try to relax?Go sit on the couch at the end of the corridor where the vending machines are.I’ll bring you a soda or something.”

“That’s sweet of you, but I don’t think relaxing is happening for me today.”Then I think of my sister, who’s standing outside in the hallway not allowed to see her father.“You have any Orange Crush?”

“I think we actually do in our breakroom,” Grace says.“Go sit down and I’ll open one for you.”

“No, not for me.”I gesture toward my sister.“It’s Raven’s favorite, and my brother and his damned security team are making her wait outside to see our dad.I know she’d appreciate it if you took her one.”

“What about her gentleman friend?”

I frown.“I don’t know what he likes.”

“Okay.I’ll just bring him a bottle of water.”She pats my hand.“I’ll take care of it, Hawk.But please, go sit down.For your own good.”

She’s so pretty, so sweet.And even though she doesn’t give me that feeling of “it,” I like her a lot, and I do need some companionship in my life.

“Grace?”

“Yeah?”

“Would you like to get a coffee with me?”

Her eyebrows pop up.“You mean now?”

“Whenever it’s your break time,” I say.

She checks her watch.“About an hour.”