Page 64 of Fury

“He wouldn’t throw the fight. And until I can get hold of Donnie, or Fury’s memory returns, I won’t know the answer to that.”

“What if he was fighting someone he thought he deserved to lose to?” Grizz pushes. “Like Ripper.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Fury

“What do you remember today?” Jo pushes. It’s the same question she asks me every evening when she turns up. I’ve noticed she always appears after the guys have left, almost like she’s avoiding them. I shake my head, and relief floods her face.

“Ripper,” I say simply. So far, I haven’t challenged her on anything because I haven’t had the energy . . . or the words. Panic crosses her face, but she relaxes again when I ask, “Where is . . . he?”

“He thinks I’m out shopping,” she says with an uneasy smile. “He’s sorting some business.”Shopping?It’s almost seven in the evening.

Something feels off. It’s been days since I woke fully, and no one can answer anything. Jo is acting weird, and even Axel seems preoccupied. He asks me every day if Jo visited, how she seemed. The entire situation doesn’t feel right, and I still don’t have the energy or the words to have a full conversation about it.I’m frustrated, and it’s starting to show. I sigh heavily and turn my head away.

The door swings open, and we both look over to see Xanthe stumble in. She looks up, flustered, with her arms full of bags. “Oh,” she says when she spots Jo, “you’re here.”

Jo places her hand over mine. “Of course, I am. I’m his wife.”

Something passes over Xanthe’s face, and she squares her shoulders. “Well, I’m his oldest . . . friend.”

“Funny, he never mentioned you,” Jo states indignantly.

Xanthe ignores her, placing the bags on the table. “Mum’s sorry she hasn’t been these last few days,” she says, opening one of the bags and pulling out a pack of my favourite biscuits. She holds them up with a grin. “She sent supplies, though. I told her the hospital feeds you, but you know what she’s like, forever worrying.” She begins unpacking the bags, and Jo watches through narrowed eyes.

Eventually, she picks out a pack of Percy Pig sweets. Jo rolls her eyes some more. “I don’t think filling him with sugar is going to do him any good. And as a nurse, you should know that.”

“A little of what you love won’t hurt, especially when you’ve been through so much.”

The door opens again, and another nurse walks in. “Visiting is over,” she says, looking directly at Jo.

“What about her?” she asks, nodding at Xanthe.

“She’s staff. Now, say your goodbyes, there’s always tomorrow.” I don’t miss the wink she gives Xanthe before leaving.

Jo huffs, tipping my chin back and placing a lingering kiss on my lips. I have no doubt it’s for Xanthe’s benefit because she hasn’t been affectionate the entire time I’ve been here.

Xanthe gives a sarcastic smile and a little wave as she leaves, rolling her eyes once she’s gone. I have no idea why she hates Jo so much.

She approaches the bed, perching on the edge. “Axel told me you have short-term memory loss,” she begins, and I give a nod. “So, what I’m about to tell you will confuse you, and I shouldn’t really even say anything because the doctor said it could confuse you more if we overload you with information.” She’s blabbering, a sure sign she’s nervous. I almost smile at how well I still know her, even after all this time. I have so many questions, but the words won’t come, and then she continues.

“I love you, Fury.” It’s not the words I was expecting, and I frown. “And you love me,” she adds. I did.I loved her a long time ago, but her parents saw an end to it. “You came into this hospital a few months ago. I was your nurse, and we became friends again.” My head hurts, and the pain forces me to squeeze my eyes closed. “I know it’s a lot,” she rushes to add, “but I wouldn’t lie to you, Reese.” The use of my given name has me opening my eyes again. They stare into her sad blues, and my heart twists.

“I don’t . . .” I trail off, shaking my head. I have no idea what she’s talking about, and it doesn’t matter how much I try, I still don’t remember.

“I know you don’t remember,” she finishes for me with tears balancing on her lower lashes. “But I needed you to know that before all this, we were starting to plan a life together.”

“Jo,” I say, wanting to remind her that I have someone, even if she isn’t completely mine.

“I don’t know what happened between you,” she says. “You never told me fully. But Axel said you and her split after Ripper found out about you.” I inhale sharply, and the beeping of the machine beside me rings out. She rushes around the bed to silence it. “You need to stay calm,” she mutters.Easy for her to say.“It all came out, and Axel made you come to London and stay at the club.”

I shake my head again. If she’s telling the truth, why would Jo be here? There’s no way he’d let her out of his sight if he knew everything.“She got rid of it.”His words return to me, and this time, his sneering face appears in my mind, causing me to shudder.

“Leave,” I whisper, turning my head away from her.

“No, Fury, please, I just need you to understand.”

“Leave,” I repeat, more forcefully this time. “I don’t . . .” I take a breath, “know you.” I turn to find her sobbing softly. “Leave.”

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