Page 108 of Rebel Hawke

I’m finally feeling stronger.

My cardio is almost back to where it was before the shooting.

Each blow holds more power and less pain.

I roll my shoulder almost without thinking, and that sharp agony that used to be there with the movement is now merely a dull ache. The injured muscles have responded to Wren’s treatment plan.

Rebuilding.

Readjusting.

Compensating.

And even Savage has noticed.

No doubt everyone who has come to watch my training sessions has spotted the difference. It would be impossible not to when I was such a hot fucking mess before Wren arrived.

But he’s the sole person to voice it.

Kennedy grabs her wine and takes a long swig from it. “Can we stop talking about the fight and maybe, I don’t know, discuss the wedding for a change?”

Everyone turns to look at her, and Cass grins. He leans back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest, waiting and watching for Kennedy to do her thing.

Oh, God.

Here we go.

I shove a piece of broccoli into my mouth and choke it down, anticipating the bickering about to ensue when my eldest cousin pushes her agenda.

Kennedy shrugs. “What? I’m getting married a week after the opening and fight, and we barely discuss it.”

Astrid points her fork at Kennedy. “That’s because you’re such a control freak. You’ve done all the planning yourself and haven’t let anybody help you.”

Kennedy gapes while everyone else bursts out laughing, including Nana.

She offers a knowing smile only a grandmother can. “She isn’t wrong, dear.”

Bright-red lips twist into a scowl at being called out. “So what? I want my wedding to be perfect.”

Cass leans over and presses his lips to her temple. “It will be,Chérie. Stop worrying so much.”

“Don’t I have reason to worry?” Her gaze darts around the oversized, custom-made table, over all two dozen people who call themselves Hawkes. “It seems like anytime something good happens in this family, it’s immediately followed by two, sometimes three, bad things.”

Uncle Stone gives her a dirty look. “Did you have to say that out loud?”

She shrugs. “What? We’re all thinking it, aren’t we?”

Coen mutters something under his breath, and Angelina leans over to whisper to Allie, who nods and whispers it to Jude, who typically remains fairly quiet during these dinners.

Easily overwhelmed, he sits back and interjects only when needed. His sharp azure gaze darts over all the guests and then lands on Kennedy and Cass. “The signature guest book came in today.”

Kennedy points her wine glass toward him. “Thank you. Some news about theweddingto share.”

He smiles at her, and everyone chuckles lightly as we return to finishing our plates and the conversations we were having before the topic of lasagna and my training was broached.

But I can’t manage to stomach mine tonight and push it away, glancing over at Wren to check on her.

And it’s a good thing I do.

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