Page 117 of Break

Nodding, I think about what he’s saying and find that I agree. He’s probably right, but I’m still going to make sure I’m there for her if she struggles.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The next few hours take a toll on all of us. Mina is checked over and x-rayed, given pain meds, and asked a thousand questions about her physical and mental health. Then came the questions from Cooper and Vince’s partner, Tony Singh. They tried to pull us out of the room when they sat down with Mina, but we refused.

Coop grumbled and glared at us but let us stay once Mina told them she wanted us nearby. There was no stopping my smirk when he finally agreed. I’m sure he’ll give me an earful later, but I don’t care. We all needed to be here when she shared what happened the moment she left with Harrow.

He put her in the back of his car, citing regulations that civilians weren’t allowed in the front, essentially locking her in with no way to escape. Then he drove her straight to his cabin where Danny was hiding and wouldn’t let her out until Danny retrieved her.

The two of them pulled her out and got her inside. Then, the motherfucker just left after false promises from Danny that he only wanted her here to talk. He truly believed that Danny wasn’t an actual threat to her.

Considering the charges that are being brought up on him, I have a feeling he’s very quickly going to learn he was, in fact, wrong.

It’s the middle of the night when they finally discharge Mina, and we take an exhausted and emotionally drained, beautiful woman home. Since I have the master and the largest bed, Ethan carries her sleeping form straight into my room and lays her in the middle of the bed. Then, kicking off his shoes, he crawls in behind her and carefully wraps an arm around her to pull her against him.

He says nothing. Just shuts his eyes, like sleeping in my bed is a normal occurrence.

Chuckling next to me, Vincent’s eyes dance with mirth, watching the two of them. Shrugging at me, he kicks his shoes off as well and calls quietly over his shoulder, “I’ll sleep at the foot of the bed since, you know, it’s yours and all.”

Grumbling, I know there’s no way I’m getting them out of here tonight, and I don’t blame them. I wouldn’t want to sleep anywhere else except right next to her. Not after today. Not after we almost lost her.

Following them, I’m stopped when Walter jumps up in front of me, lying down in the empty spot-on Mina’s other side.My fucking side of the bed, you asshole!

Leaning forward, I ignore Vincent’s laughter when I hiss, “Move, you fucking girlfriend stealer.” He doesn’t. Ofcoursehe doesn’t. He simply cocks an eye at me, silently asking, ‘what are you gonna do about it?’

“Come on. Get.” I tug at his collar, and I swear this fucking dog growls at me as he moves back to the floor. Yanking my shirt over my head, I toss it toward the basket and slide in next to Mina. Studying her face, I say a prayer of thanks that she’s come out of this with only a few bumps and bruises.

When I feel the bed shift behind me, I roll my eyes when Walter curls up, not giving a shit that I put him on the floor.

Mina’s eye cracks open, and she smiles up at me, biting her lip to hold back her own laughter.

“Hey, little dove.” I immediately brush my fingers over her face, checking on her. “How are you feeling? I’m sorry about the crowded bed. Walt’s not helping matters.”

Shrugging, she acts like she’s unaffected, but I know she loves the closeness between all of us right now. “I’m feeling alright. Sore, but it’s to be expected.”

“Want me to move everyone away? I can at least kick the puppy out.” I half-heartedly plead with my eyes that she’ll give me permission to move him.

Scowling at me, she reaches over my waist and rubs her hand over whatever part of Walter she can reach. “You’ll do no such thing. He’s my good boy.”

My lip tilts up on the side, and I think it’s the first time I’ve smiled since we found the brick that went through Vincent’s truck window.

Pushing my face closer to hers, I soak in the feel of her breathing across my skin. “What about me? Am I a good boy?” My question is teasing, but she answers me seriously.

“You’re thebestboy, Max.” Her fingers steal my hand, and she brings them locked together to press them between her breasts. “Thank you for coming for me.”

Using our joined hands, I pull her closer, ignoring Ethan’s grunt of irritation when he has to shift to keep his body pressed along her back. “I’ll always fucking come for you. You’re my reason to breathe.”

She tilts her head back and brushes her lips across mine, careful not to press too hard and aggravate any of her injuries. Sighing against my mouth, she lets her head relax against the pillow with a smile.

“Love you too, Max.”

Closing my eyes, I sink into sleep knowing that we’ve all got her right where she belongs. Surrounded by the three of us where no one can hurt her again.

Well, four.Ifyou count the damn dog.

Chapter 51

Darlin’

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