Page 6 of Knox

“I can walk.” Evelyn’s voice was still hoarse, and I could hear her wheezing easily.

“Sure, you can. Still ain’t gonna.” I didn’t look at her because I wasn’t sure I could keep from making a fool of myself if I did. This was my brother’s woman. She’d had his children. If ever there was a woman who was off-limits, it was this one. Even if Danny wasn’t there to help her or married to her, she was still his woman.

Either she was tired of arguing or she was starting to feel the effects of smoke inhalation, because she settled passively in my arms as I carried her down the hallway to the room the nurse led us to.

No sooner had I set her on the bed than Bullet walked in. I hadn’t had time to call him, so the nurse must have texted him.

“You know, I could have done without you turning up on my last official day at the hospital, Knox.” Bullet scowled, but it was directed at me. The second he shifted to look at everyone else in the room, his expression changed to something warm and inviting. “I’m Dr. Benedict. I hear you’ve all had quite the adventure today.”

It was the girl, Aneshya, who spoke up. “The building caught on fire. He saved us.” She pointed at me.

“Well, Knox is good for stuff like that. Do you guys care if I look you over?”

Bullet glanced at the monitor that showed Evelyn’s vital signs and heart rhythm before turning his attention to the other three. He took his time listening to the kids and Dad. While that was happening, nurses and other technicians came in and started IVs and took blood from Evelyn. She protested, but Dad put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed.

“For me, Evie,” he murmured. “For the kids.”

With a sigh, she stilled and let everyone continue to poke and prod her. Luke had her hand as well as Aneshya’s, holding on tightly. It was clear the young man was protective of the women in his life. Unlike his father.

“I think you three are fine,” Bullet said with a grin at Luke and Aneshya. “I’d like to get a chest X-ray for all three of you, though. Just to be on the safe side. Especially for you, Grover.” Bullet gave Dad a smug look. The older man grunted at him. Obviously, Bullet had been clued into the fact Dad didn’t like formalities. “You’re obviously fit and in great health, but you’re still more susceptible to the effects of smoke inhalation than everyone else here. Like it or not, you’re still an old fart.”

That got a bark of laughter from my dad. “Damned straight. I earned that status a long time ago.”

“As for you…” Bullet turned to address Evelyn. “Plan on being here a while.”

“I’m fine.” Her little croak did nothing to solidify her declaration.

Bullet tapped the tablet he held in his hands. “The first tests coming back say otherwise. I’ll hold my final judgment until everything is complete, but you’re going to let me do several more tests, give you some medicine, some nebulizer treatments, and all kinds of medical things.” He grinned at her, and I wanted to punch my friend. When Bullet raised an eyebrow at me, I realized I’d been growling. “My. Someone’s in a snit.”

“She’s my brother’s woman, so she’s taken.”

“Got my own woman, brother. Two is more than I can handle.” He winked at Evelyn before leaving.

“Do we have another uncle we’ve never met?” Luke scowled at me, then my dad.

“No, Luke,” My dad scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’m pretty sure he means ‘brother’ in a different way.”

“I know… uh… Dr. Benedict from my time in the service.” Not a lie. I’d met Bullet when my team had come back shot all to hell. He’d saved my life.

“Oh. So he’s like a friend brother.” Luke nodded like he got it.

“I suppose you could say that. Yeah. But more.”

“‘Cause you’ve been through stuff together.” Maybe the kid did understand.

A woman came to take Evelyn for a test. When they’d left, Luke looked back at me. “Will Dr. Benedict take care of my mom?”

“If your mother is hurt, he’ll find out how sick she is and know how to fix it.”

Luke looked to his grandfather for reassurance. When my dad nodded his head, I felt more gratitude than I ever thought possible. I was beyond needing my dad’s approval for anything. The fact was, I’d left him. And Mom. I’d given him no reason to believe in me, but he did.

We waited mostly in silence while the techs and nurses did tests and gave medicines to Evelyn. Dad and the kids each got nebulizer treatments and some steroids, but Bullet proclaimed them and my dad otherwise unharmed. Evelyn, he wanted to admit, but she refused.

“I’ll take medicine or whatever, but I can’t stay.” She was firm, even though her voice was still hoarse. I could still hear her wheezing, but she did seem a bit stronger. “I’ve got to take care of my family.”

“I can look after Luke and Aneshya,” Dad said, speaking gently to Evelyn. “You can’t take care of them if you’re injured. Let Dr. Benedict keep you to make sure your lungs heal properly.”

“No, Mr. Knoxville. I’m going home with my children.”

---