Page 94 of Ruthless Salvation
“Nope, none of them.”
“Except me,” Shae chimed in, joining me with an obnoxious grin. “I’m her sister.”
I arched a brow at my cousin but didn’t contradict her.
The doctor gave a nod. “Right, well, still just one at a time. I take it you’d like to go back first?” he asked me.
“Definitely.”I’d like to see him try to stop me.
Shae leaned in as the doctor turned and whispered, “If we’re making up shit, and you get to be her husband, then I can be her sister.”
“Hope you know you just volunteered for watch duty should I need to leave since you’re now the only other person allowed back there.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Shae winked.
“Good, because I don’t want her left alone for a minute.”
I turned to catch up with the doctor, following him down a maze of corridors to Stormy’s room. She was reclined in the bed when I entered, her right shoulder area wrapped in layers of gauze. She gave me a doped-up smile the second she saw me. It wasn’t her usual electric grin, but it was still damn good to see.
“How are you feeling, beautiful?” I dropped kisses on her forehead and cheeks before pressing my lips to hers. The tiny amount of contact loosened the rope knotted tight around my chest.
“I’m all good,” she said in a drawn-out Southern twang.
“Those meds treatin’ you right?”
“Mm-hmm.” She nodded, her eyes closing, then reopening on an extended blink. “I’m gonna need another tattoo, though.”
“Oh yeah?” A smile teased the corners of my lips.
“Yup. One on the other side for my new scar.”
My smile turned to a grimace. “You may have a new scar, but I promise it’s the last. No one will ever hurt you again.”
Clarity forced away the haze in her eyes. “It’s over, then? You finished him?”
“Not yet. I’ve been here with you.”
Worry lines creased her forehead.
“Is that what you want, sweet Stormy? You want me to go now and end it?”
Her childlike nod was more than I could bear. “Okay, baby girl.” I gave her another kiss. “Next time you see me, it’ll be over. I’m going to send Shae in. She’s your sister now, in case you weren’t aware.”
A spark lit Storm’s eyes as her smile returned. “I’ve never had a sister.”
I chuckled and shook my head. “Well, now you do.” I walked back to the waiting room and sent Shae back to keep an eye on my girl. After learning that Stormy was doing well and that only family could see her, the room had thinned out to Keir, Rowan, Pippa, and Noemi.
Keir took one look at me and turned to the ladies. “You three think you can make it home without getting into trouble?”
Rowan shot him a glower with one brow arched high on her forehead. “I bet we can manage.”
Keir grunted and walked over to join me. “I believe you’re in need of a ride.”
“I can manage if you’d rather get the girls home safely.”
“And let you have all the fun? I don’t think so.” He spoke quietly so the women couldn’t overhear.
“Not sure how fun it’ll be. I promised Storm to end it quickly. Of course, I never said it had to be painless.”