Page 101 of Mob Knight

Saying his full name makes me realize what I almost called him twice. I cringe. I already said it once loud enough for the men in this SUV to hear.

I look up at Sean, and he’s shooting glares at his men that promise retribution if they repeat what they heard. He leans forward as though checking my pupils. Maybe he is.

“My wife calls me that, too.”

“Joey?”

“Sorry. I have a piece of wood in it. But I didn’t see bone or anything earlier, and it must not have hit a major artery if I’m still alive and talking. Mered?—”

“Joey!”

I hear Cormac bellow my name, but everything’s already fading to black.

“Joey? Little one, can you hear me?”

“Da—Cor?”

“Yes. I’m here.”

I catch myself this time. I’m coming round from whatever Meredith must have given me. I’m not in pain anymore, which is a plus. I look around, but I don’t recognize where I am. When I look down, I’m under the covers on one of the comfiest mattresses I’ve ever felt. Cormac and I are alone.

“Daddy, where are we?”

“My parents’ house. This is my bedroom.”

“Was this your childhood bed? It’s enormous.”

“I’ve been a big guy for as long as anyone remembers.”

“Yeah, you are.”

I grin, then giggle. Okay. This medicine’s made me a little loopy.

“I thought we were going to Meredith’s.”

“I decided here would be better since it’s going to be awhile before I’m comfortable moving you.”

I shift my uninjured leg and feel the sheet against my bare skin.

“I’m naked.”

“I know. Meredith and I got your dress off, so she could stitch up your leg with nothing dirty around it.”

“Oh, God. She saw I didn’t have any panties on.”

“I draped the sheet over you while she lifted the dress up. I held you up so she could get it over your head. She saw nothing.”

“She probably guessed.”

“Does it bother you that much?”

“Considering your men and cousin heard me call you Daddy, I suppose not.” I can add Finn to that list thanks to the call after my argument with Martha.

“They won’t dare say anything,cailín.”

I nod as I shift to find a more comfortable position. I’m propped up with pillows half under my back. I’m not entirely on my side, but it means the back of my head isn’t pressing too heavily into the pillow. When I move it, blinding pain reverberates through my skull.

I moan, and Cormac’s immediately hovering. I pat his cheek before trying to lift my head. He cradles it as though he’s holding something as fragile as a Fabergé egg. He presses his lips to mine, knowing what I need. He’s so gentle, it makes my heartswell. When we pull apart, he strokes my temple with the back of his fingers.

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