Page 127 of Cohesion

“Stinging pain is relative,” Toby said dismissively. “Try not to bite your tongue off.”

“We need it for other things,” Jericho said. Even just to hear Sebastian be a smartass. Hearing his voice was a fucking relief and a half.

“I bet you do.”

Before they could start cleaning Sebastian’s various cuts and bruises, another person entered the fray. The woman’s cheeks were flushed as though she’d been running, her hair as wild as her eyes. She locked onto Sebastian straightaway and made a beeline for him, Toby hopping out of the way just in time to avoid being barrelled over.

Based on the similarity in colouring, facial features, and the fact that Sebastian looked even more terrified than he had when they’d stormed in on him with a known killer, Jericho was going to guess this was his sister, Charlotte.

She went to hug him and hesitated, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. “Oh my god, Seb, I was so worried about you. Howdareyou do this to me?”

“You?” Sebastian squawked. “What about me?”

Quinn let out a hissed sound that was a definite signal for “wrong answer.” Even Jericho could have told him that.

“Excuse me?”

“Charlotte…” Sebastian began cautiously before slamming his mouth shut as she lifted a finger.

“There are so many people that care about you. And you don’t get to scare us like that!”

Sebastian lifted an arm, and she collapsed against him, hands fisted against his chest.

“You can’t—you can’t do this—I was so worried about you.”

“I know, it’s alright,” Sebastian said soothingly, rubbing her back. “I’m fine. I’m here. Where are the kids and Eli?”

“Being looked after by special forces soldiers. Hunky special forces soldiers.”

Sebastian’s forehead creased. “What?”

“I’ll explain later,” Peyton said.

Charlotte cleared her throat and straightened, composing herself. “What are the extent of your damages?” She took Toby’s light and shined it in Sebastian’s eyes. He hissed, jerking away and closing them. Charlotte followed him—not like he could get far sitting on the bed like that—and pried one eye open, putting the light back. “Have you gotten a scan yet?”

“For what?” Sebastian asked warily.

“For thehead wounds you have, you idiot.”

Sebastian seemed to realise that was a trap and didn’t respond. He blinked rapidly when she let go. At least he could learn when to be quiet. Promising development.

“Well?”

“Well, what?”

“Are you trying to be obtuse? That didn’t work when we were kids, and it sure as fuck isn’t going to work now.”

“I don’t think it’s protocol to swear at your patients,” Sebastian said.

She lifted a finger in warning. “The only words I want to hear from that smart-ass mouth of yours are very specific answers to the questions that I ask. Nothing else, do you hear me?”

Sebastian opened his mouth to respond, and she snapped, “Nothing. Not one.”

“Is anyone else terrified?” Will whispered into Jericho’s ear.

“Not me,” Toby said cheerfully. “His cognitive functions all seem to be in working order,” he told Charlotte. “I’ll go book him in for the scan if you want to take over?”

“Yes, please,” Charlotte said.

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