Page 103 of Second Sets Omnibus

I need peace and quiet, something I don't get when they're around. But yet, they're a comfort I can't explain. It's a weird twist of fate to want peace, but they're the peace I need.

Leaning into Kieran, I sigh with exhaustion. It's only three p.m., but the urge to close my eyes and sleep the day away settles in. Probably thanks to my pain meds.

“Close your eyes, River Blue. We've got you, baby,” Kieran murmurs, kissing my hair with a sigh. “They've taken Bradley to the station. That asshole isn't getting out any time soon.” Finally, that prick is going to pay for his crimes. Knowing my luck, though, they'll come after me for injuring him. Worth it.

“They kept my knife,” I grumble, closing my eyes and relaxing into him more.

“I'll get it back for you, Little Brat. It seems you need to protect yourself more these days. Always looking for trouble.” I don't bother giving him an appropriate answer. I lift my middle finger in the air, earning a scoffed “rude” remark and then a deep, rumbling chuckle.

Looking at Callum and Rad snuggled together in my bed makes a smile cross my lips. They're so damn cute together, and I can't help but snap a picture for blackmail later. But right now? I need pain meds like my life depends on them. Every step toward the living room jostles my face, and my nerves light up with pain like a damn Christmas tree.

“Hey, Ma,” I murmur, heading to the kitchen for a glass of water.

I need pain meds, food, sex, and sleep, in that order.

“Baby,” she says softly, slowly climbing to her feet with a grunt, grabbing her walker beside her, and balancing herself. Standing straight, she puts weight on her booted foot, only wincing once.

“You're getting around better,” I say with a small smile, gulping water. “But wait. Why're you dressed?” I ask, taking in the loose jeans and white blouse, even her shoe that is slipped on.

She flashes me a beaming smile, slowly sliding forward. “It's a good day. Korrine and I are going out for lunch after she takes me to my doctor's appointment. They're going to see how my ankle is healing, and I think I’m getting a bladder infection,” she says, making her way toward me. “How are you feeling? My poor baby,” she mumbles, running a trembling finger along my jawline. “I can't believe someone did this to you.” She shakes her head. “I always knew Booker's place was dangerous.”

I take a deep breath, ignoring her last comment. As a whole, Central City is rough, but we've always made it. Booker's place is definitely not in the best area, but it's what I've had to do to contribute to our financial situation. If it weren't for me, we would have frozen over many winters and not had the extra cash for food.

“I'm okay. It hurts, but I'll survive,” I say, blowing her off with a shrug, causing her to drop a hand with a frown.

“You're not working, right?” she asks, raising a brow as a knock sounds on the door, followed by Korrine's voice.

“I'm here for ya, Stella. Car is warming up,” she shouts through the door.

“Gimme just a sec!” Ma shouts with a head shake.

I snort into my glass of water, swallowing more and soothing the constant burning in my throat. “No. Booker informed me I'm off for a month until my face heals.”

Internally, I groan at the sedentary life I'll be living. Sure, I'll still have schoolwork and online classes to attend, but I'm sitting still without my work. And that's not me. I've held a job since I was fifteen, and to do nothing is messing me up. Fuck. At least I'll have Whispered Words to keep me company and busy with their schedule coming up. They'll press submit on their application tonight, and then we'll cross our fingers.

“Good,” she says, kissing my cheek. “Those boys still here?” My face heats when a knowing grin plasters on her face. “They'resweet. I like them. But now, I have to go, baby. Be good today, okay?” she mumbles, kissing my cheek.

Opening the door for her, I put my hand on her forearm and help her get over the lip of the door frame.

“Bye! Be good,” I say, waving them off as they head to Korrine's bright red Lincoln and take off down the road.

Blowing out my breath, I head back into the bedroom, stopping short.

“What the hell are you doing?” I ask, wrinkling my nose.

I half expected the idiots to be asleep still, not rifling through my panty drawer.

“Listen, Pretty Girl! I woke up stroking Callum's…”

“Rad,” Callum hisses, shaking his head with red tinting his cheeks and over the bridge of his nose. He quickly covers his face with his hands and groans.

“His leg! His damn leg! But it should have been you, Pretty Girl. Then I felt hair where hair shouldn't have been, and I freaked. I might have smacked him…”

“In my-my dick.” Callum frowns, holding a hand over his boxers. “You punched my dick.”

“But it was a sexy dick punch, right?” Rad beams, looking between the two of our fallen faces. “Right. There's no such thing as a sexy dick punch.” He shrugs, continuing to paw through my damn panty drawer like it's normal.

“What exactly are you doing?” I ask again, earning a wave in my direction. “The fuck?” I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose despite the pain.