Page 102 of Mortify

All clear. Warehouse is ash. Tor's going through the intel. Rest of the brothers are heading home.

I send back:

Everly is stable. Baby's okay for now. Staying the night.

Runes’ reply comes a few moments later:

Good. Take care of your family, brother.

Family.

There's that word again.

I settle back in the uncomfortable chair, hand still linked with Everly's.

Outside, sirens wail in the distance—could be heading to the warehouse, could be normal city noise.

Doesn't matter.

Nothing matters but the two heartbeats on that monitor.

CHAPTER NINE

Everly

Hospital beds are designed by someone who's never had to sleep in one.

That's my first thought as I wake up, back aching, neck stiff from the weird angle.

My second thought is that Regnor's still here.

He's slumped in the chair beside my bed, one hand still holding mine, the other resting on his thigh near his gun.

Even exhausted, even sleeping, he's on guard, protecting us.

"You're staring," he murmurs without opening his eyes.

"How did you?—"

"Your breathing changed." Now his eyes open, immediately alert, even if exhaustion is written in every line of his face. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I slept in a hospital bed," I admit. "But okay. I think."

"Any pain? Cramping?"

"No. Just..." I shift carefully, mindful of the IV. "Sore. And I really need to pee."

He's up immediately, helping me sit up slowly. "Dizzy?"

"A little."

"That's normal. Blood loss plus pregnancy equals low blood pressure." He steadies me as I swing my legs over the side. "Take it slow."

I make it to the bathroom with his help, grateful for the dignity of managing this myself.

When I come out, he's stripping the sheets from the bed.

"What are you doing?"

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