Page 150 of Short, Lethal & Claimed

“It brings it to a whole new level,” Madison murmured in agreement as she moved to reach for her only to rethink that decision and went back to worrying her hands together.

“It really does,” Jill said, frantically wiping at her face when she felt her eyes begin to tear up.

“We could avoid what we really want to say with smartass comments,” Madison suggested as she released a shaky breath.

“It would probably be for the best if we went with that option,” Jill murmured in agreement.

“I hear that you got yourself shot, found yourself mated to the asshole, and somehow managed to get yourself stabbed in the chest,” Madison said, making her lips twitch.

“I make excellent choices,” Jill said, nodding solemnly.

“I also heard that he loves you more than anything and that you have three beautiful children who adore you,” Madison said, her voice breaking as the first tear ran down her face.

“This feels like we’re getting dangerously close to talking about that thing that we’re trying to avoid,” Jill pointed out as she hesitantly reached over and took Madison’s hand in hers.

“It does, doesn’t it?” Madison said with a watery smile as she gave Jill’s hand a reassuring squeeze.

“Then, I probably shouldn’t mention that my biggest regret in life is sending you away,” Madison said, swallowing hard as she moved closer.

“Really? Because I thought it was that perm you got when you were sixteen,” Jill said, making Madison’s lips twitch.

“It was, but I thought I’d lead with that,” Madison said as she released a shaky breath and reached for her.

“You should probably just get to the part where you tell me how much you missed me so that we can move on to the ugly crying and hysterical sobs portion of this reunion,” Jill said, closing her eyes as Madison pulled her into her arms.

“Should we add in heartfelt promises and declarations of our undying love?” Madison whispered as she tightened her hold around her as Jill stood there, struggling to keep it together as she wrapped her arms around her sister.

“It’s honestly the only way I like to handle heartbreaking moments like this,” Jill mumbled around a broken sob.

Nodding solemnly, Madison said, “I think we have a good plan in place here.”

“Should we break apart so that we can look into each other’s eyes while a wave of emotion takes over, nearly dropping us to our knees?” Jill asked as she held onto Madison tightly.

“I mean, how else are we going to do this?” Madison asked as she turned her head and kissed Jill’s forehead.

“I feel like we rushed this,” Jill said around a sniffle.

“We definitely did,” Madison mumbled as she released a shaky breath.

“Time to go with plan B?”

“Sniffles and incoherent murmurs?” Madison said, holding her tight.

“I’m ready when you are,” Jill mumbled weakly.

“There’s no time like the present,” Madison said, barely managing to get the words out around a broken sob.

“Agreed,” Jill said, seconds before they both broke down and-

“I’m never letting you go again,” Madison swore, holding her tighter.

“I kind of got that with the bone-crushing hold that you have going here,” Jill managed to get out on a pained groan.

“It makes it harder for you to leave,” Madison said, even as she relaxed her hold so that Jill could breathe again.

“It really does,” Jill murmured.

“Good. Because I didn’t want to have to hobble you,” Madison said around a sniffle.

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