Page 91 of Sebastian

“We didn’t mean to interrupt.” Sebastian took in the sight of his four brothers, each with worry in their eyes.

“W-what are you guys doing here?”

“After you called Dec, we knew we needed to come. Sorry to just spring it on you,” his younger brother, Cooper, said.

“It’s fine, Coop.” Sebastian scrubbed his hands down his face and pushed back his hair. “Why don’t we go down the hall to the waiting room. I could use some air, and she’s only allowed one visitor at a time right now.”

Sebastian waited for them to turn into the hallway, but his brothers just stared at him.

Taking two steps into the room, Declan wrapped his arms around Sebastian. Then each brother took a second to follow with hugs.

There was Wyatt, four years older than Seb but still a kid at heart. Cooper, just ten months younger than him and the brother he was closest to. And the last hug came from Sawyer, the baby of the family. He might only be twenty-eight, but the kid had been instrumental in taking his family’s business world-wide and they owed a lot of their success to him.

“When was the last time you had something to eat? Or even closed your eyes for a few? You look like shit,” Sawyer said.

“Hey!” Dec slapped their younger brother on the backside of his head. “He’s kind of been preoccupied. You know, with the woman he loves being assaulted and in the hospital.”

“Thanks, Dec, but I’m sure Sawyer’s right. I probably do look like shit. I feel like shit, too.” Sebastian sank into the plastic chair closest to the door in the waiting area. It was nearing the end of visiting hours, so they were the only people in that particular waiting room. Seb knew Daisy, Hank, and half of Bell Ridge were cycling through the other waiting room just a little ways further down the hall.

“So, you love her, huh?” Wyatt asked, a shit eating grin forming across his face. “Who ever thought Seb would be the first Montgomery to fall?”

“Yeah, I love her. And when she wakes up, I’m going to make sure every cell in her body knows it.”

“She’s lucky to have you, bro.” Sawyer clasped his hand onto Seb’s shoulder, but Sebastian could only shake his head.

“No, she’s not. I’m the lucky one. She’s so damn strong. I don’t deserve her.”

“Stop throwing yourself a pity party, asshole.” Cooper’s words dug into his chest. “It’s time to step up. If Emma is as amazing as you say she is, maybe I’ll throw my hat into the running once she’s awake. Everyone knows I’m the most charming, and easily the best looking, Montgomery.”

Sebastian stood up so fast the world around him blurred. Before he knew what was happening, he was in Cooper’s face, pushing him backwards.

“You won’t go anywhere near her, Coop, or so help me, I’ll only have three living brothers.”

“Jesus, Seb. It was shitty of me to say, but I was just trying to ease some of the tension.”

Sebastian rubbed his hand over his face, groaning with regret at his reaction.

“I know man, I’m sorry. I’m not thinking straight right now.”

“You need to eat, take a shower, and get some sleep,” Declan grumbled.

“I can’t leave her.”

“You need to, Seb. Just for a few hours. Tonight. You can have the nurses call you if something changes with her condition. But there’s no sense putting yourself in the hospital, too.”

Declan had a point. He needed sleep. He needed food. He needed to be able to think about finding Marco and ending that asshole’s life.

“Where are you guys staying?”

“Hadn’t gotten that far in our plans. Figured maybe you’d know a place we could crash,” Wyatt admitted.

“Yeah, come on. You guys can stay with me. But someone is going to have to sleep on the couch.”

Sebastian found Emma’s night nurse and gave her detailed instructions about contacting him. Then he turned and walked out of the hospital for the first time since Emma was brought in.

It felt wrong to be leaving without her in his arms, but he knew in his heart she was going to make it through, and the next time he left, they’d be leaving together.

His feet dragged as he walked towards his car. A strong hand landed on his arm. Declan.

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