Page 44 of Riot

I don’t ask her where she was or why she didn’t. It doesn’t matter. I am not my sister’s responsibility.

“You don’t have to apologise, May. We’re okay. Riot took care of us.”

Maylie pulls back so she can look over my shoulder to where Riot is standing. “Thank you so much, Riot.”

“Always,” he tells her, “you know that.”

Maylie’s eyes come back to me, but it’s Mace who speaks. “Have they said what’s wrong?”

My tongue suddenly feels thick, words too hard to form. Riot moves close to me, giving me that silent support.

“She’s still in with the doc. They’ll let us know when they have an update.”

That hand wrapped around my throat locks its grip. What if they can’t help her? What if I left it too late to call for help? What if…

As if sensing the dark turn my thoughts have taken, Riot’s hand flexes against my spine, and I relax into his touch.

I hate that I need to lean on him, but I can’t stop myself.

“She’ll be okay.” Is she saying this to me or to herself? Her anguish hangs in the air as Mace kneads her shoulders, his touch light and gentle. “The doctors know what they’re doing, and she’ll be home with us before we know it.”

I cling by my fingertips to every promise in her words. Maylie always fixes everything and this is no different.

“You need to sit before you pass out,” Mace says to Maylie.

I look at my sister, really look at her, and my insides twist. I know she’s pregnant, but how did I not notice how pale her skin is or how big the bags under her eyes are?

I follow as Mace guides her into a chair, my stomach now churning for a completely different reason.

“Are you okay?” My voice cracks with concern.

Maylie rubs a hand over her stomach, her eyes closing for a brief second. “You don’t need to worry about me. I’m fine.”

I glance at Mace. His jaw is so tight, but eyes are…worried?

“You should go home and rest.”

Maylie shakes her head. “I wouldn’t be able to relax knowing you and Seren are here. And I’m fine.”

Mace doesn’t contradict her, so I let it go. He’d say if something was wrong, right?

I lean my head back against the wall and stare at the ceiling as if it holds all the answers. Life was so much easier when Seren was inside me and I could protect her.

Everything feels dangerous now, and not just this, but the threat of her father.

Ruthlessly, I shove that thought away. My trauma has to take a back seat today. Seren needs me.

Maylie’s hand slips into mine, squeezing gently, and Riot sits so close, he might as well have me in his lap. Mace sits on the other side of my sister, but his body vibrates with concern.

This right here… this is family.My family.

Link made me believe that no one gave a shit about me, but he was wrong.

I’m not alone.

I do have people who care about me and would fight for me.

I let my thoughts drift until the doctor steps out of the room. Somehow, I stand as he walks towards us, tucking his stethoscope into the top pocket of his scrubs.

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