Page 89 of Justified Fear

“Maybeheshould answer the question,” the other one said.

“Maybe you should get bent, Holt.”

He chuckled, because like he said, she was sweet, but she knew when not to take any shit off people.“I’m Ryan Morrison.”

Keanu—the one with the man bun—rolled his eyes.“What the hell ever.He looked across the room at Maya.“Does Dad know about the dog?”

“Yes, your father knows about the dog, Keanu,” Monica said.She stepped between the two giants, then came to a stop.She was dressed neat as pin, but dark circles bruised the skin beneath her eyes.“Baby.”

He moved out of her mother’s way, so that she could get closer to Keely.Maya rose and walked over to him, taking a position to let them know whose side she was on.Of course, these weren’t the people he was most concerned about.Riki came striding into the hospital room, his steps faltering when he saw his wife and daughter.

“I need to take Maya out,” Ryan said.He wanted her family to have some alone time with her.

“You don’t need to run away scared, Blondie,” Holt said.

“Boys, I will not have you be rude to Ryan.Don’t make me sic Lulu on you.”

That shut them up.

“No, I really need to take her out.She’s been in the room since they brought Keely up.”He stepped up to the opposite side of the bed from where her parents were standing.“I’ll be back in a few minutes.Do you need anything?”

“No.I’m fine.”

He leaned down and kissed her forehead.Then, with a look at her two brothers, he headed out of the room.

“Woah, did she kick you out?”Autumn asked.

“Again, love of my life, you are being rude.”

“Sorry.”

“No.I needed to take Maya out for a quick trip.”

“I could take care of her,” Autumn said.

“I’m worried she won’t go without me.”

“Ah, yeah.She is very protective of your woman.We will hold down the fort.”

The rest of TFH had left, mainly because there was a lot of work to be done after a shooting at headquarters.

Maya did go with him, but after doing her business, she was straining to go back into the hospital.By the time he made it up to Keely’s floor, Eden and Mix were in the hallway with Seth and Autumn.

Both of them looked damned tired, and he knew they felt guilty.It wasn’t their fault.There was no way anyone would have guessed that bastard would get a gun.He knew that Keely had told them that over and over.

“Hey, guys,” he said.“Keely already told you she didn’t fault your protection.”

“She’s not the one who hired us.”

“Ah.Yeah.Okay.”

Just then, the door opened and Riki came out.“I’ll talk to you two in a minute, but I need to talk with Morrison.”

Well, that didn’t sound good, and Riki didn’t wait for him to agree.He just walked down the hallway.Maya, though, she didn’t want to go.

“Autumn, can you take Maya into Keely’s room?”

“Sure thing.”