Page 52 of Vow of Vengeance

I blink. I hate this question. I especially hate it because the most excruciating thing I've ever felt wasn't thephysicalmanifestation of pain.

"Like a four."

"Good." The nurse looks impressed. "Tylenol should do it then. I'll be right back with that."

When she takes her leave, I turn my attention to Declan. "You did awful good filling out that form for me. It's almost like you're a stalker or something."

That gets a grin from him, and I relax a little as he moves onto the bed and pulls me against his chest. Sitting here with him feels natural, right. I fucking hate hospitals, but I'm not staying this time, and I know he won't leave me. That makes me feel better.

"Did the blood type one get you?" I chuckle. "I saw you pause."

"B positive." He says easily, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "Fitting, since you're the most positive person I know."

I snort at that. Clearly, he doesn't know many people.

"Well, the good thing is, the owner of that house is rich. I smell a lawsuit."

That gets a good laugh out of him. I feel it rumble through his chest as my body moves against his, and I laugh, too.

"Don't bankrupt me, little bird. My future wife deserves all the finest things..."

I grin to myself at the mention of his future wife.

Me.

I'm going to marry Declan Evers.

We're going to find Marissa, and I'm going to marry this man with my best friend beside me.

Maybe Declan will even let Khan be his best man. I'm sure he won't say no when I ask.

But that's a topic for another time. I refuse to plan any part of the wedding, or even accept a real proposal, until we find Marissa.

Maybe it's foolish of me to hold onto hope.

Maybe she's gone, and I'll have to learn to accept it.

But not yet.

Marissa wouldn’t give up on me. I won't give up on her.

Maybe Declan's right. Maybe I'm not as negative as I thought. Because in this moment, I feel an inexplicable sense of peace. I don't know why, or what brought it on, but I'm suddenly more confident than I've been from the moment I realized she was missing.

We'll find her.

And soon.

twenty-four

Declan

"Ithoughtyousaidyou never wanted to hear from me again?" Wes chuckles. "You can admit that you miss me and what we had. I miss you too, booboo."

I grit my jaw, refraining from taking the bait. He wants me to get mad at him. He's always liked to fuck with me.

"I need your help."

"You need me?" Wes chuckles again, completely unserious as always. He's always fucking joking, like life isn't all that serious. I suppose to him, it isn't. "What is it you need, Dec? My fat cock or my hot mouth? I've got a wife now, but she's happy to share meandto let me share her."