Page 88 of Choices

Closing my bedroom door, I kick off my boots and dump my phone on the dresser. Keg winds his soft body around my ankles. “I missed you too, buddy.” A hiss passes my lips as I scoop him up, pain shooting up my spine and around my ribcage, scaring him. He darts out of my hold, and I grab my side. Fuck you, Michael.

Keeping my hand on my ribs, I take a couple of breaths before moving to the dresser and popping the lid off the fish food. I scatter some into the water, watching as the gold blobs race to get them. Such a simple life—what I wish I had. A three-second memory seems good right about now.

Peeling off the dress I’ll never wear again, I chuck it toward the trash can, frowning when it lands half in and half out. A soft knock sounds on the door, and my heart rate kicks up a notch. Cutter was so mad at seeing what Michael did. If he’s come…

My thought dies as the door creaks open and Rogue pops her head in. “Hey.” She smiles, concern etched on her pretty face.

“Come in,” I tell her, pushing my panties down my legs.

“I’ll kill him,” she breathes, taking in the purple patches all over my skin. “I don’t care who he is. Say the damn word and he’s dust, Kit.” She hovers her hands over me. “I really want to hug you, but I’m scared to hurt you.”

I chuckle, wincing as pain thrums through every inch of me. Sitting on the bed, I collapse my head into my hands. “I was so dumb.”

“Fuck that. Do not blame yourself for this,” she warns.

Peeking through my hands, I sniffle. “I almost fucked him tonight.”

“And? We all make mistakes. I nearly married the psychopath who killed my sister,” she says, putting shit in perspective.

“You got it right in the end, though,” I tell her, wiping away the tears falling down my cheeks.

“And so will you. Let me help you get cleaned up and dress these wounds.”

“This feels like it’s our thing. I remember having to help you shower after that cop bastard.”

“That’s what sisters are for. I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner. Callan just woke me up.” My eyes shift over the shorts and camisole hugging her body.

“I stabbed Michael,” I beam.

Her eyes expand. “He left that part out. Tell me everything.”

“It opened one of the cuts on my palm.” I moan, showing her the bloodstain.

“Worth it.” She grins.

Lying on the bed, Keg between us, I hold my hand up and smile, savoring the numbness of my wounds. The drugs Diamond gave me a little while ago are kicking in, making my limbs heavy. My mind drifts into a lucid state, warming my body, liquid silk filling every crevice.

“You should let me dry your hair. It’s soaking through the pillow.” Rogue puffs air across my face.

My nerves settle, the trepidation of emotion winding down. The vibrations in my skin from my blood pumping manically for so many hours slow to a calm beat.

“You already got in the shower with me to wash it and dried me and bandaged me up. You’ve done enough.”

A giggle tinkles from her lips. “Can you imagine the brothers’ faces if we told them we just showered together?”

“Any other time, it would have totally turned me on,” I tease.

Rolling onto her side, she moves a strand of wet hair from my forehead. “How are you feeling?”

“A lot better. Talk to me while I try to fall asleep.”

Shifting to pull the covers over us, she huffs out a breath. “I told Bear he’s walking me down the aisle.”

“Really?” I attempt to move to face her but my bones feel like they weigh a thousand pounds.

“He wants to meet with me to talk.”

“That’s great.” My head begins to feel woozy, and my eyes flutter open and closed. “Do it.”

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