Page 27 of Endure the Pain

Before Louie could say anything, I steered the conversation back on track. “Because I’m really fucking high right now, I just want to clarify that you’re seriously humoring the idea of including Louie in our relationship?”

Jamie looked over at Louie, who was now looking at the floor. “I know you stay away because you don’t want to risk hurting me, man.” Louie’s eyes lifted from the floor and Jamie continued. “I want you to be happy too, but I can’t give her up. I think I can handle sharing her with you because you make her happy and I trust you. You’re the closest I’ve ever had to a brother.”

There was a knock on the door, interrupting our conversation.

Jamie got up from the bed. “It’s not what either of us imagined, but we should take some time to consider this. For her,” he said in a low voice before opening the door.

Josh and Dr. Ben were standing out in the hall. Jamie gestured for the doctor to come in. He stopped Josh from entering and said something to him quietly. I thought I heard him say, “I can’t guarantee she won’t kill you.”

I could hear Josh’s response clearly. “The boss wanted me to tell her that he’d be up shortly to check on her.”

Jamie gave him a curt nod. “I’ll pass it along.”

Dr. Ben crossed the room over to me and I sat up to greet him. “Heard you unintentionally snorted cocaine and that you’re still on medication from your accident.” He grabbed my wrist, feeling for my pulse, and looked down at his watch.

“How do you unintentionally snort cocaine?” I questioned because I could sense his judgment.

“You tell me?” he asked distractedly as he counted my pulse.

I yanked my wrist away. “Jamie, I’m about to throat punch Fabio Junior. I won’t hit his face because it’d be a shame to hit something so pretty but his throat is fair game.”

Jamie stepped between us. “You’re in the wrong house to piss people off,” he warned Dr. Ben.

“Look, I’m sorry. She’s not the first daughter or wife in this family I’ve seen this past week because they borderline OD’d. I’d just hate to see that happen to her,” Dr. Ben said.

I poked my head around Jamie. “Was my aunt Aoife one of those women?”

“Doctor-patient confidentiality,” Dr. Ben said.

I reached under my pillow and pulled out the gun I had hidden there. “What if I threatened you with a gun? Could you tell me then?”

Louie chuckled from across the room and Jamie’s head dropped in exasperation before he shook it. “Baby, do you have any idea how long it takes to vet a doctor? You can’t kill him.”

“I won’t kill him if he tells me,” I said sweetly.

“Yes,” the doc said quickly. “Saw her last night. Dylan called me because he was worried she took too much. She didn’t overdose, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying.”

I knew she was on something the other night!

“I saw Brenna, as well. Not because of drugs. She supposedly tripped down the stairs. She had a couple cracked ribs and a cut on her head that required stitches,” Dr. Ben added.

My hand tightened around the grip of my gun. “Why’d you tell me that?”

“She’s seventeen, bright, and deserves better. The last time we spoke, you didn’t seem too keen at the thought of women being mistreated in thisfamily.” The doctor gave me a pleading look. Then cleared his throat. “Plus, you threatened me with a gun. It’s not like I had any other choice but to tell you.”

I want to help her—them. I don’t know how to yet. I’m trying to figure it out. I hope I won’t be too late.

“I think as long as you’re doing everything you can, that’s more than anyone can ask for,” Dr. Ben said, making me realize I had spoken my thoughts out loud.

I held out my gun to Jamie. “Let’s get this checkup over with. I think if I were going to have a bad reaction it would have happened by now.”

Jamie took the gun and moved away to go stand by Louie.

Dr. Ben eyed them. “I need to check out the injuries she sustained from the accident. I think she’d be more comfortable with you two waiting outside.”

Jamie and Louie looked to me.

I waved, gesturing for them to leave. “Go. I’ll be fine.”