Page 8 of Love in the Wild

Instead of letting his fist fly, he stepped back into Brett’s space, staring him down with a threat. “You don’t have any business here. Get out.”

A soft grunt pulled his attention to the bed where Thea was slowly trying to sit up. She looked awful. Bruises in various shades covered her face, and the skin split in a few spots.

Forgetting the argument he was having with Brett, Gage scrambled to Thea’s bedside. A hollowness in his gut reminded him that he’d failed her.

Thea jerked as he approached, and her eyes widened despite the swelling around them. A grunt escaped, followed by a hiss as she gritted her teeth.

It tore up his insides to see her like this. Heat and darkness rolled strong in his chest, and he gripped the bed rail to release a fraction of the tension.

Brett called out for a nurse above the beeping monitors, but Gage’s attention was transfixed on his sister. She didn’t deserve this. She was innocent.

He’d make them pay. Whoever was responsible, he’d find them and make them sorry they’d ever laid a finger on his sister. Gage had been in his share of fights, but never in his life would he touch a woman.

“Thea, are you okay?”

She was definitely not okay, but his addled brain was having trouble processing Thea’s state. It was worse than he’d imagined.

A heavy hand fell on Gage’s shoulder and pulled, sending him stepping backward as Brett moved closer to Thea.

This guy. Gage was trying not to get kicked out of the hospital, and Brett was asking for a broken nose.

“Get away from me.” Thea’s hoarse command was soft in the quiet room.

Who was she talking to? Gage or Brett? She’d looked at both of them.

Brett hastily moved to the other side of Thea’s bed and leaned over her. “You’re safe. I promise.” He looked up to meet Gage’s stare, and his narrowed eyes shot a silent accusation.

“None of us are safe,” Thea whispered.

Brett turned back to Thea. “If your brother feels froggy, he can jump whenever he’s ready.”

Gage gripped the bed rail and leaned over Thea. The band holding back his fury was about to snap. His hands tingled with the promise of fresh blood.

Patton blood.

“Stop!”

Thea’s voice was louder than before, and Gage and Brett looked at her. A stern expression had replaced the fear from just a few seconds ago. “Get out.”

Brett leaned over her. “Please don’t make me leave. You had a partially collapsed lung, and it scared the life out of me.”

Collapsed lung. That was serious. What had they done to her? Gage sucked air in deep pulls, trying to calm the racing of his heart.

Brett gripped Thea’s hand, and she didn’t pull away. Good grief, she was already falling for this guy’s lies again. Gage had to get Brett out of here and have another serious talk with his sister.

“I don’t know why you left, but I’ve been looking for you ever since,” Brett whispered.

Panic gripped Gage’s neck, refusing to let him take a full breath. He’d let his guard down on Brett, thinking his silence meant he’d given up the fight. No, Thea had been in danger all along.

Brett sighed, looking about as helpless as Gage felt. “I would never hurt you. Ever. Despite what your brother would have you believe, I didn’t hurt anybody.”

Gage scoffed, fed up with the lies. “My jaw begs to differ.”

Street fighting, sparring, just messin’ around, Gage had taken dozens of fists to the face. Brett got lucky and landed one. One. But they’d both left black and blue that day.

It was easy to remember the day Brett showed up at Gage’s front door looking for Thea. He’d gotten the chance to let out some of his anger on the one who caused it, and boy had it been fun.

“You know what I mean. I didn’t have anything to do with what happened to your dad. I’m sorry.”

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