Page 66 of Unclaimed Bonds

I don’t bother to reread the list of Luke’s likes and dislikes. He can kiss my ass. I hope the dinner turns out so well that hechokes on it when he learns I made it. I hope his guts twist in knots and he becomes ill for at least a week. Maybe not that last part. He will no doubt accuse me of poisoning him and try to kick me out of my home.

Downstairs, I set the finishing touches on the dining room table and take one final look.

“It’s perfect,” Joe says from the doorway. I walk over to give him a hug. “I think the family will be impressed. It’s nothing like Tater or I have ever done before.”

I offer a tight smile. He’s just being nice. We return to the kitchen, and I focus on the last-minute details.

Joe reaches for the serving trays on the upper shelves when he asks, “Jessica, what happened to you?” I glance around and shrug. “You’re bleeding. What happened?” he asks again.

Glancing down, my shirt is covered in blood. All the moving around must have reopened the wound. “It’s just a scratch,” I whisper.

“Show it to me.”

“It’s nothing, Joe. Just a scratch,” I rasp.

“Then, show it to me.”

Stepping away from the counter, I lift my shirt. The bandage I placed earlier is soaked through.

Joe peels the bandage away from my skin and frowns. “This is not a scratch, Jessica. This looks like you were stabbed.”

Sidestepping away from him, I replace the blood-soaked dressing and lower my shirt. “It’s nothing, really. I’m fine.” I avoid his eyes and desperately think of anything but what happened earlier. I’m surprised no one thought to look for us with all the noise and earthquake.

He retrieves a box from a nearby cabinet. “Go upstairs and change. Here are some dressings you can use.” I look around and vow to clean my mess before Tater and the rest of the staff arrive. “I got it. Go,” Joe says firmly.

Thank you, Joe. I’ll make it up to you.

“Jessica.” I stop on my way out of the room but don’t turn around. “I don’t care who he is, if he hurt you…”

No, Joe. It was an accident. All good. Like I said, just a scratch. I’ve had worse. I leave the kitchen before he responds. I don’t like lying to him, but I can’t tell him what happened. I don’t need Luke accusing me of being a snitch as well.

I run up the stairs, hurrying before everyone arrives. Justin and Jeremy stand in the hallway talking to Luke, smiling, laughing, patting each other on the back.

I clutch the box from Joe close to hide the blood on my stomach. I consciously think about the various ingredients I used in the meal preparation and make a list of tasks, confirming I accomplished them. Just so the twins don’t pick up on my thoughts.

“Hey, Jess. Did you meet Luke yet?” Justin asks.

I lift my head and quickly glance at Luke. He plasters a fake smile on his face. When the twins turn to look at me, he drops it. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Ouch, that burns. Returning the tight-lipped smile, I shake my head.

Jeremy places an arm around his shoulders. “This is the best big brother you will ever meet, besides us, of course.”

I give a curt nod and wave. Another burning sensation rubs over my wound.

Justin frowns. “What’s burning?”

“Hmm?”

He steps toward me. “Why do I smell blood?”

Oh, I was helping in the kitchen and spilled blood on my shirt. I’m going to get changed. No big deal. I’ll meet you downstairs. I push past them.

Jeremy grabs my arm. “You’re trying to hide something,” he proclaims.

Justin grabs the box out of my hands. “Why do you need the first aid kit?”

Pulling my arm out of Jeremy’s grasp, I snatch the box back from Justin. “I’m fine. Just a scratch,” I explain.

Jeremy narrows his eyes. “That’s not from a scratch!”