Page 108 of The Bonds We Break

I pull his hand to my lips and kiss it. “If you don’t wake up and tell me you’re okay, I’m going to start quoting Shakespeare.”

His eyes flicker, and the corner of his mouth turns up into the start of a smile. Then he fights to force his heavy eyes open. “You ... okay?” his voice is rough, but the sound of it is enough to start the tears that I managed to stop an hour ago.

“I’m fine. But you ...” I can’t carry on for the tears.

Gingerly, King slides his hand in my hair and slowly draws my head down until it rests awkwardly between his chest and bicep. He can’t move very well, and I don’t want to hurt him further.

“Don’t cry ... duchess. My ... heart ... can’t take it.”

I take a deep breath and try to compose myself. “I never understood the need for revenge,” I say, “but I’d kill anyone who hurt you.”

I feel King huff. “My fucking queen.”

My brother’s footsteps remind me we aren’t alone. “You wanna see the brothers?” he asks.

I look up and see King’s eyes flutter closed. He’s tired. “A minute each because I know they won’t rest without seeing him,” I say.

My brother grins. “I’ll make it happen, Raester. I think they like it when you take charge.”

I can’t help but smile. It’s relief, and exhaustion, and the disbelief ofholy shit, we made it.

Clutch and Gwen are through first. “Had me worried, brother,” Clutch says.

Gwen kisses King’s forehead. “Jesus, you scared me. I’m so relieved you’re awake.”

“Sorry, sis,” King says, his voice raspy.

Spark is next. But he stops by me and places a hand on my shoulder. “Your woman did good, Prez.”

King forces his eyes open. “Feisty ... little ... chicks. Am I right?”

Spark laughs. “Yeah. Feisty little chicks.”

One by one, they come through. Sometimes King is awake. Sometimes his eyes are closed. Towards the end, I’m pretty sure he’s gone under again.

And I don’t leave his side.

Four days later, I lead him back into our home. There’s a lingering smell of bleach, but the house is clean from top to bottom, courtesy of the club. I dump the bags on the counter and sigh.

“Never thought I’d miss this ugly kitchen, but it’s good to see it.” King slides the arm that isn’t in a sling around my waist. His lips touch the side of my neck.

“I’m looking forward to getting cleaned up.” I’m sure I smell. I took a quick shower at the hospital, but now I need lots of hot water, fluffy towels, and unlimited time.

King turns me to face him. “I’ve been a very sick boy, and I think you should help me shower.”

I can’t help but smile. “I was just thinking about how I’m looking forward to some space and privacy, seeing your men were in the room all the time.”

He brushes my lips with his. “You can have all the space and privacy you need while you soap my cock.”

Gently, I push him away. “You just got shot. You’re supposed to be taking it easy.”

He shrugs. “I’ll take it a whole lot easier once I’ve come all over your hands and stomach. I’m sure I’ll pass out. It’s basically sleep medicine. You’d be doing me a medical service.”

At that, I laugh.

I thought I’d feel unsafe being back here. But Ryker assured me that things had been taken care of. Vex beefed up perimeter security of the house. We’ll now know as soon as someone comes onto the property. There is an alert panel on the kitchen counter. I’ve been told there’s another in the bedroom.

Vex is chasing down who did this to us. So are the police ... allegedly.