Page 69 of The Veteran

I reversed out of the parking space and followed the arrows to the junction with the street. “I’ll always come for you, sweetheart. You’re my wild child.” As if there was a universe in which I wouldn’t be there for her. “But I think you’re forgetting something.”

“What’s that?”

“You saved me too. If you hadn’t stabbed Baker in the balls with that crystal wand, there’s every chance he would have shot me, and then he might have shot you too. So really, I didn’t save you. You saved both of us.”

She beamed. “I like the sound of that.”

As I drove, we talked over everything that had happened—and by “we,” I meant mostly her. But I listened to her chatter and felt a sense of rightness that went deep to my core. We belonged together and I didn’t intend to screw it up for a second time.

It took a while for us to find a parking spot, and then I had to slow my stride through the hospital corridors so Sage could keep up. When I finally cast eyes on Audrey, still lying in the bed with a washed-out complexion and tired blue eyes, my heart lifted.

“Why are you looking at me like a sentimental idiot?” she demanded, her voice much weaker than it usually was. “Get over here and help me escape from these hovering mama bears.”

I grinned. “That’s the sister I know and love.”

I joined Mom and Cathy, who were standing next to the bed, and reached down to ruffle Audrey’s hair. “Good to see you’ve joined the land of the living. You had us worried.”

She rolled her eyes. “Not sure what all the fuss is about. It’s just a few cuts. I’ll be back in action before you know it.”

I met Mom’s eyes and she grimaced. I returned the expression. I couldn’t tell whether Audrey was in denial about the extent of her injuries or just on some good drugs, but things weren’t going to be nearly as straightforward as she seemed to think. I wasn’t going to be the one to burst her bubble though. Not when she’d just woken up.

Audrey looked at Sage and frowned. “Do I know you?”

“No,” Sage replied.

“Thank God. I was afraid I might have lost my memory.” Audrey grinned, but seemed disappointed when no one laughed. She glanced from Sage to me and her eyes narrowed. “Don’t tell me you’re dating my brother?”

Sage caught my eyes, a question in hers, and I nodded. “Yes,” she confirmed. “We haven’t been together for long though.”

Audrey scanned her from head to toe, lingering on the bandaged hand and splinted finger. “What happened to you?”

“It’s a long story.”

Audrey smirked. “It’s not like I’m going anywhere.”

So we sat down and talked. Audrey was fascinated by Sage’s life. Mom was too, blinking back tears as Sage explained everything she’d been through. I got the impression she wanted to hug her but wasn’t sure whether the gesture would be welcome.

Surprising me, Sage seemed equally interested by Audrey’s experience in the military. Perhaps I should have expected it. No matter how gentle and loving Sage was most of the time, she had a core of steel. She and Audrey had that in common.

When Audrey grew weary, we excused ourselves and headed for the King’s Security office. I owed Ronan and Zeke a proper apology for going rogue. We stopped at a liquor store on the way and I bought them each a bottle of whiskey. On the way into the building, Sage spotted Willow and Fiona so she joined them while I continued to Ronan’s office. He was sitting behind his wooden desk, with Zeke on a chair opposite. Ronan gestured for me to sit. I handed them each a bottle first.

“Thanks,” Ronan said, studying the label appreciatively.

“I saw you coming and wanted to make sure you didn’t forget to drop my bottle off,” Zeke remarked as I passed him his. “I’m not always on your Christmas card list.”

“Well, you are now.” I tucked my hands into my pockets. “I owe you. There’s no way I’d have found her so quickly without you working your magic.”

He gave a slight bow. “I do my best.”

“So, what next?” Ronan asked. “Will you be back in the office tomorrow?”

I pursed my lips, wondering how to mention the thoughts I’d been having while I was sitting next to a sleeping Sage earlier. “I might take a few days off.”

Ronan nodded. “I expected as much. To be with Sage?”

“Yeah.” I gestured to the bottle. “You want to pour us one?”

He raised a brow but drew three small glasses out from a desk drawer and filled each. I took one and tossed it back.