Page 59 of Shattered

“Koen Andrew Banks. Are you married?” she screeched.

“They sure are. You got a problem with that?”

My eyes rolled as Jett stalked forward in full-on protector mode, stopping next to me with his arms crossedover his chest. Lord, save me. He was acting more and more like Koen every day, which wasn’t a bad thing, per se. Except, for instance, when meeting my new sister-in-law for the first time.

“Who are you?” she asked with a hint of amusement playing across her features.

“Jett.” He said nothing more, just continued to stare her down. I’d have laughed if I wasn’t ready to strangle him.

“Well, Jett.” She winked at me. “To answer your question, I have no problem with my brother getting married. What Idohave an issue with is the fact I wasn’t there to witness their happy union.”

“Neither was I. We can commiserate together,” he deadpanned, then cracked a crooked smile. “I can kick his ass for you, if you want.”

“Hey, I thought you were on my side, kid?” Koen ruffled Jett’s hair, earning a scowl from the teenager.

“Good thing Mom already had a heart attack, ’cause she’s bound to have a stroke when she sees those rings.”

“Willow.” He scowled.

She tipped her head to the side. “Too soon?”

“Forever would be too soon.”

“If you can’t joke about death and mortality, then you’re not really living.”

“Jesus Christ. When did you become so morbid?”

“It’s called lightening the mood, Koen,” she responded.

“I hope this isn’t the kind of shit you say during your counseling sessions.”

“Nah. I save the good stuff for my siblings. Speaking of—” She pulled me into her arms. “Welcome to our crazy family.”

Family.

For so long, my parents had sullied the word with painful memories of dark closets and vicious beatings. Now though, my true one was growing by leaps and bounds.

At first it was only Jett and Gran, then Henley and Lanie shouldered their way in. They were the sisters of my soul and we shared a unique bond that was stronger than blood, completely unbreakable, because we’d chosen it.

Then there was Koen. He had my heart long before he gave me his last name. I don’t know if it was fate, the universe, or some other bizarre cosmic connection, but with one look, I was gone for him. Looking back, I never stood a chance of fighting our connection. I don’t even know why I tried.

He was everything I needed, yet never thought I deserved. The kind of man who stood beside you to celebrate the wins, then stepped in front of you to absorb the blows.

Along with him came the rest of our motley crew: Nelson, Noah, Keaton, Duncan, and Waverly. Add in the girls from the diner and we had one helluva family unit which rivaled any other.

“We should head up.” Willow released her hold.

“Is there some place where we can put all our stuff?”

“Bring it with you.”

“I’m not lugging all this crap up a thousand steps,” Jett huffed.

“No need,” Willow chuckled. “One of the perks of having a brother who’s a big shot in the local PD means getting access to the service elevator.”

“Thank you, Baby Jesus.” He tossed his bag over his shoulder while Koen got ours. “Lead the way.”

I didn’t know what to expect when we entered Teresa Banks’s hospital room, but the older woman lying in the bed wearing full makeup and a smile was not it. Despite the wires peeking out from underneath her gown, connecting to a monitor beeping in the background, she appeared exactly as she had on our video call last week, only paler.

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