Page 21 of Last One Standing (Saint Brothers #5)
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
KONA
The next morning I jolted awake, hissing in pain at the sudden movement.
How I could forget that my body was a Picasso of pain was beyond me.
Pika was sound asleep beside me. He had his own room attached to the one I was in, but he’d said he wanted to be close to me in case I needed him.
I figured he was a little out of sorts after everything and didn’t want to be alone.
The sun was peeking through the closed windows, and I could see shadows fluttering. It was a nice breezy day, and I wondered if I could sit outside.
My full bladder wasn’t waiting anymore. Carefully, I rose from the bed and shuffle-walked to the bathroom.
I was feeling marginally better today, and I could actually see out of my eyes.
There was still some pressure from swelling, but it was down significantly with the help of the compress and medication Angel had given me.
When I stepped out of the bathroom, Pika was sitting up, a smile on his face.
“Morning.”
“You look better.” He hopped out of the bed and sidled next me.
“I don’t need help, Pika. Go use the bathroom.”
He wasn’t gone long. By the time I’d made it to a soft chair by the window, he’d returned. With the press of a button, the curtains opened to reveal a gorgeous view.
“It’s real nice here.” Pika took the other chair.
“It is.”
Pika’s leg bounced and he was biting his lips, a sure sign he wanted to say something.
“Spit it out, little brother.”
“I was just thinking. I’m sure Brick and the others have been back to the clubhouse by now, right?”
The thought had occurred to me. “Probably.”
“No one’s told us.”
I nodded. “Maybe we were sleeping when it all happened. How about you help me get changed, and we head downstairs? Maybe we can find something out.”
“You sure you want to take the stairs? I can just go ask someone.”
I stood slowly and made my way to the dresser I’d seen Pika put my clothes into yesterday. “I’m sure. I was hoping I could go sit outside too.”
“Yeah, okay…” He jumped up and helped me wash up and get dressed.
It took a bit, but we made it to the first floor in time to hear someone shout that breakfast was ready. So, we followed the sounds and the delicious aroma.
No one noticed Pika or me as we entered, so I took a moment to observe. Shep was at the stove beside the man who’d introduced himself as JJ. They were laughing at something one of the two blond men had said. I knew that because JJ was pointing at the one with the sunglasses on his head.
“Sausage…it’s fucking sausage, Noel, not a segue into penis-size conversations. Why does it always end up that dick sizes?—”
“Arise?” I believed Noel was the one with the sunglasses. He waggled his brows after he interrupted Shep.
“Go away, no food for you.”
Noel gasped and darted over to Shep, hugging him around his middle. “But I’ll starve, you love me.”
Pika laughed, and the sound made the men in the room turn to us.
“Oh, no.” Phoenix sighed. “I had a situation like this happen to me when I first came here. I walked in on Nick and Noel talking about their penises. Are you both okay? I wasn’t okay.”
That just made Pika laugh harder, and I held my side and joined him.
“We’re fine; we’ve heard way worse.”
A soft clearing of the throat behind us made me jump, which in turn made me gasp because the sudden jolt hurt.
“Are you okay?” Phoenix rushed to me, and suddenly they were all hovering.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you,” Angel apologized once I was swiftly and carefully guided to a chair.
“No, I’m just jumpy.”
“Rightly so,” JJ mumbled. “We could have brought breakfast up to you.”
“I know, but I wanted to move around and I…” I looked at Angel’s expectant face; he was so attentive. “Could I maybe sit outside today?”
“Of course.” Angel nodded. “The property is very secure, and we’ve been keeping an eye on the MC.”
“So they know?” Pika asked. “That we’re gone?”
“Yeah. And they’re mad. They might know it’s us—but, like I said, we’re watching them, and the grounds are safe. You can sit outside.” Angel motioned toward the large bay window. “The cliffs give off a lovely breeze, and there are tables and chairs if you want to eat breakfast out there.”
As much as I knew I should get more information on Brick and what he was doing, I really wasn’t ready to talk about it, and eating outside sounded like the best medicine.
“I’d love that.”
“Great. Why don’t you and Pika go out back, and I’ll bring your breakfast?”
“I can do it,” Pika offered.
“I know you can, but help your brother.”
I liked how Angel didn’t make Pika feel worthless. He always wanted to help, and the MC had shot him down a lot, saying he was too young or wouldn’t understand. Angel was careful not to belittle Pika and gave him a purpose even if it was shlepping me around.
“Yeah, okay.” Pika smiled and I let him lead me outside even though I was sure I could do it on my own.
The moment I stepped outside, the scent of fresh salt water attacked my senses and I breathed as deep as I could, not caring that it hurt viciously. This was paradise compared to how my life had been the last few years, and I was going to savor every second.
The view was stunning but as soon as I was sitting, I lifted my face to the sun and closed my eyes.
The crashing waves were a symphony for my soul, the heat was a hug promising to mend every bruise, and the smells wrapped me in a blanket of hope.
I didn’t know the last time I’d felt as safe as I did right now.
“Here we go.” Angel and Phoenix stepped out, each with a plate in hand, one for Pika and the other for me.
“You want to join us?” I looked at Angel, loving how the hardened man softened whenever I had his attention…as long as he wasn’t perusing my battered body—then he was all rage. “You all can; it’s your house after all,” I said when he didn’t answer me.
“Uh…” He glanced at Phoenix, who shrugged. “Yeah, sure, I’ll be right out.”
Once they went inside, Pika chuckled. “Dude liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiikes you.”
“Shut up, twerp,” I hissed playfully, but warmth filled my chest.