Page 82 of Under Fire

He frowned. “Why do I get that duty, too?”

“Because you bully him into behaving better than the rest of us.”

“I can do it,” Sasha said.

“You can’t hold him up because he’s weak. Cade also won’t want to show weakness in front of his wife.” Matt squeezed her shoulder as he passed. “He’ll feel better being able to gripe and complain all he wants without sacrificing his manhood.”

Sasha rolled her eyes. “Men,” she muttered.

Cade sat on the side of the bed, swaying. Matt steadied his friend. “Looks like you tied one on last night.”

“Feels like it, too. Whatever the doc gave me for pain threw me for a loop.”

He didn’t have the heart to tell Cade the pain med was a mild one. “Want a shower?”

“Yeah, bad.”

Thirty minutes later, Cade was clean and dressed with a new bandage on his shoulder. “Thanks, Matt.”

“Yep. You would do the same for me.”

A slight smile. “Maybe. I wouldn’t be nearly as good at it as you are.” He opened the door and walked into the living room. Cade caught Sasha against his uninjured side. “I’m better. It’s time to stop worrying.”

She buried her face against his neck. “Don’t scare me like that again. I don’t think my heart can take it.”

“I’ll do my best, Sassy.”

Matt’s gaze shifted to the empty couch. “Where’s Delilah?”

“Shower. She’ll be out in a few minutes.” Sasha walked with Cade to the couch. “Breakfast will be here soon.”

A knock sounded on the door.

“I’ve got it,” Matt said.

A minute later, the room was filled with the scent of eggs, French toast, bagels, fruit, and a selection of herbal teas along with two carafes of coffee. Matt’s mouth watered.

This was perfect after a sleepless night. A little food, coffee, and a shower, and Matt would be able to sleep a couple hours. He set aside one of the bananas and a small helping of eggs for Delilah as well as two packets of tea.

The second bedroom door opened. Delilah emerged dressed in jeans, a long-sleeved t-shirt, and running shoes.

Matt sighed. They weren’t able to walk the night before. Maybe he could convince Delilah to purchase a swimsuit and use the hotel’s pool tonight. If her ribs weren’t too painful, she would feel more in control for resuming her exercise regimen.

He brushed his lips over hers. “Morning, beautiful.”

“Hi.”

“I set aside breakfast for you. How do you feel?”

“Not bad, considering. I should be asking you that question.”

“A two-hour nap and I’ll be good to go.”

When Delilah was seated and eating her banana, Matt loaded his own plate. Within minutes, he and his teammates polished off breakfast except for the food they saved for Liam.

Delilah laid her hand on his. “Matt, go take a nap. I know you didn’t sleep last night.”

True enough. He’d watched over her and his teammate. “Okay if I use your bathroom?”

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