Page 18 of Last One Standing (Saint Brothers #5)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

ANGEL

“What the fuck?” Gabe muttered as all of us sat around the dining room table after Kona and Pika were settled.

“Pika told us Brick would kill Kona one day.” I gritted my teeth, anger surging through my veins.

“Looks like he tried.” Mason sat solemnly next to Gabe.

Mason and JJ had both been kidnapped and hurt horribly once upon a time; I was sure they were having a hard time not remembering the pain and fear when they saw Kona.

“He needs medical attention,” Matt said. “I can help him with physical therapy, but he’s nowhere near there yet.”

“Taking him to a hospital isn’t really an option right now.

” Noel was staring at his phone while he spoke.

“The Kings are still at the factory and don’t know what’s going on.

Their cameras at the clubhouse were disabled before we went, so they don’t know who was there, but they’ll figure it out.

As far as medical, Angel can help Kona.”

I cocked my head. “I can do some things, Noel. If he needs surgery, I can’t do that.”

“You removed a tracker from my arm; that was surgery.” Four shrugged.

“That wasn’t surgery.” I shook my head. “I can run tests with our equipment, even blood, but anything serious, we’ll need a plan.”

“We should call Aziza.” Phoenix sat up straighter. “She is amazing. She can talk to Kona and Pika and help them, but she also might know a doctor to help Kona if he needs more than what we can give him. I’m sure she’d tell them to be discreet.”

Nick patted Phoenix on the arm. “Good thinking…you’re way too smart for my brother.”

“Fuck off, lesser twin,” Noel hissed playfully.

I ignored their bickering to text Aziza, asking if she could stop by at some point today or early in the morning tomorrow. She responded that she was busy today but would be at the house in the morning.

“Aziza will be here in the morning,” I said, breaking up their squabbling.

“Oh, good.” JJ smiled. “By the time they wake, they’ll likely be hungry. Shep and I can make something light but filling. After food, you can do whatever tests you need to do.”

I wanted to do them sooner rather than later, but I also needed to make sure everything was set up for Kona.

“Okay.”

JJ, Shep, and a few others went into the kitchen to start on food. Noel was monitoring the Kings on his phone while he sat in the living room, and Nick was keeping an eye on the clubhouse.

I went downstairs and set everything up for Kona, hoping he didn’t give me a hard time about running some tests. Keeping him safe was moot if his injuries killed him.

Once the meal was about done, we were discussing who should go upstairs and see if they were awake, when Pika rounded the corner shyly.

“Hey,” he whispered.

“Hi. We were just about to go up and see if you were hungry.” Mason’s expression was soft and caring. “I’m Mason, by the way—not sure if you know all our names.”

“Uh, yeah we can eat. I don’t know all your names, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out. I was wondering if it was okay if Kona could shower. I’d help him.”

“How about this?” I approached Pika. “We bring food upstairs for you and your brother; that way Kona can stay put. Then, I’d like to bring him downstairs to get some scans and his blood drawn.

” I held up my hand when Pika went to interrupt.

“I’m not a doctor, but I have some medical training.

If there’s anything serious on the scans and blood, we have someone coming by in the morning who can connect us with discreet doctors to treat Kona while he’s here.

After the tests, Kona can get washed up, and even though your intentions are good, I’m not sure your body can support his. ”

“I’m strong!”

“I’m not saying you’re not, but Kona can’t risk a slip or fall. If God forbid, you tumble and he goes with you, you’ll feel horrible and he could further injure himself.”

Pika’s upset dissipated as he let what I was saying sink in. “Yeah…well, I don’t know how comfortable he’ll feel with anyone seeing him naked.”

“I have loose swim shorts. He can use them,” Phoenix offered. “You can help him get them on before anyone steps in to help.”

Pika nodded. “Okay, thank you.”

“Want to help me carry up the food?” JJ beckoned Pika over. “You carry one tray, and I’ll carry the other.”

“I’ll follow you both since you’ll need someone to open the door.” They could probably manage the door, and I didn’t dare look at any of my brothers, knowing they would be gaping at me as if I were an idiot.

Once upstairs, I slipped in front of Pika and JJ to open the door. My gaze went immediately to Kona, who was sitting up on the bed, his head back against the headboard, and his eyes closed.

I moved to the side for Pika and JJ, watching as Kona opened his eyes and smiled softly at his brother.

“So that’s where you went.”

“Hi, Kona, I’m JJ. We figured you were both hungry, and it would be easier for you to eat up here.”

“Hi, JJ.” He then flicked his eyes toward me. “Hi, Angel.”

“Hey.” I almost rolled my eyes at my dumb response.

“When you’re done, Angel wants to run some tests on you.” Pika rested his tray beside JJ’s on the small table in the room.

“Tests?” Kona’s brow furrowed. “What kind? Why?”

“We need to see if any serious internal damage was done to you. I have machines and a blood-draw station in the basement. No, I’m not a doctor, but I have some training. If anything is glaring, there’s a friend arriving tomorrow morning that will better be able to assist you on your recovery.”

Kona pursed his lips. “Just tests, no exam?”

I held back my reaction to the question. Why would an exam be bad? “I mean, I’d like to do a quick exam for any open wounds that may need to be treated.”

I saw JJ look over at me out of the corner of my eye but didn’t remove my attention from Kona.

“I’ll let you examine me to a certain extent. If I say no, you respect that.” Kona jutted his chin out in defiance.

I could think of a few reasons why he would have stipulations, but I didn’t want to dwell on them right now. “Agreed.”

I nodded curtly. “Enjoy your food. Once you’re done, we can get you downstairs and then a nice shower or soak.” JJ smiled and all but pushed me out of the room.

When we were by the stairs, JJ leaned closer to me. “Do you think the reason Kona doesn’t want a thorough exam is because Brick…” He swallowed loudly. “Do you think he sexually assaulted Kona?”

I clenched my jaw. I didn’t have to voice my thoughts on that; I knew he could see it in my glare.

“We need to destroy that man.” JJ stormed away and as I joined him, I thought the exact same thing.