Page 120 of Sweet Harmony

“Let go of me,Daniel.”

Daniel leanedcloser, the scent of beer clinging to him. “How did it feel, doc?Taking something that belonged to me.”

Connor snarledwith anger and punched Daniel in the face. There was immediate painin his hand, so strong it made him feel sick, but he ignored it asDaniel fell backwards onto the table. Blood gushed from his nose,it was canting to the left, and there were startled shouts andcries from the people closest to them.

Connor leanedover and grabbed Daniel by the collar. More pain flared in hishand, it felt like the bones were grinding together, and he gruntedwith pain before glaring at the bleeding firefighter.

“Get off me,”Daniel’s voice was thick from the blood that had flowed into hismouth.

“If you say onemore word about her, if you even say her name, I’ll knock every oneof your goddamn teeth out. Do you hear me, you son of a bitch?”Connor said.

An arm hookedaround his throat and he was dragged back. He clawed at the armwith his good hand and was shaken roughly for his trouble.

“Enough.”Gideon’s voice spoke into his ear. Connor relaxed and Gideonreleased him before stepping between him and Daniel. “What the fuckis going on here?”

“He startedit.” Daniel spit out some blood and pressed his t-shirt to hisnose.

“Fuck you,”Connor said. He shook out his hand, wincing when it sent painflaring straight up his arm.

Gideon staredat Connor’s rapidly swelling hand. “Well, that’s broken.”

“It’s fine,”Connor said.

“It isn’t,”Gideon said. “Trust me, I’ve seen enough broken hands to know.” Heturned and studied Daniel’s face. “And your nose is definitelybroken. C’mon, both of you need to go to the hospital.”

“No fuckingway,” Connor said.

“I’m not goingwith him,” Daniel said.

“Both of youshut the fuck up and get in my car,” Gideon said as he threw somebills on the table. “You’re fucking lucky I’m taking you to thehospital and not a damn jail cell. Move your asses, now.”

* * *

“You shouldhave called me earlier, Gideon.” Connor could hear Kira’s voiceeven over the noises in the ER.

“He didn’t wantme to,” Gideon protested.

The curtainwhipped open and Kira hurried to the bed, staring down at Connor’shand. “Oh, Connor.”

He stared atthe ceiling as Kira pressed a kiss against his mouth. “Honey, yourpoor hand.”

“It’s fine,” hesaid.

Kira glanced atGideon who said, “Pretty sure it’s broken. He had an X-ray abouttwenty minutes ago. We’re just waiting for the results.”

“The resultsare in.” Jack ducked behind the curtain and Connor’s throattightened as the ER doctor gave him a grave look.

“Is it broken?”Kira asked.

“Spectacularly,” Jack said. “You’re gonna need surgery,Connor.”

“Fuck,” Connorspat.

Kira squeezedhis good hand as Jack said, “If it makes you feel any better, thatfirefighter’s nose may never be the same.”

Kira stiffened.“What firefighter?”

When Connordidn’t reply, she glanced at Gideon. “What’s going on?”

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