Page 52 of Controlled Chaos

Chapter 28

I turnedmy head away from the offensive smell before my eyes popped open. The sound of machines beeping in the room was barely audible over the sound of my brothers.

I opened my eyes to find my brother with the MD after his name staring down at me. Dexter’s gaze was softened in concern as he placed the smelling salt, he’d just used on me, on the bedside table. “You scared us, squirt.”

I opened my mouth to speak and croaked, the noise coming from my throat sounded like sandpaper.

A cup was lifted to my lips, and Dexter angled the straw for me to sip. I closed my eyes and drank it all in.

“What happened? Where’s Porter?” I couldn’t get a bead on him, so I knew he was close by.

“He’s outside the door. He refuses to leave.”

“He claims he’s the one who shot you. Is that right?” My brother, Walker, asked from across the room, his anger palpable. Was Porter hoping my brothers would kick his ass? Was he covering for his mom to keep her out of trouble?”

My head started to hurt, and it must have shown on my face. “She needs her rest,” Dexter said, ushering everyone out of the room.

“Dexter,” I called after him. “I need to see Porter.”

“Are you sure?” he asked.

I nodded. “Please.”

“Ten minutes, and then I’m kicking him out too,” Dexter said.

“You can’t seriously let that guy in here, knowing he pulled the trigger,” Walker grumbled.

“If he hurts her, I promise you can track him down, but something tells me he wasn’t the one who hurt her the first time.”

My brother had a bit of intuition in him. All of my brothers were gifted, but Dexter, the MD, was the smart one of the bunch. He’d probably already used his healing-vibe voodoo on me too.

The door opened, and Porter stepped inside. His gaze assessed every inch of me as if he could see the rest of me beneath the covers.

“Smart thinking about the earplugs,” I said.

He grinned. “I remembered seeing them in that golf cart backpack. They apparently used them by the plane and helicopter. I’m glad he didn’t use the drug. I’m not sure I could have stopped him then.”

Porter sat on the edge of my bed and lifted my hand to his lips, kissing my inner wrist.

“How’s your mother?” I asked.

“Mortified. She doesn’t remember anything other than she hurt you.”

“It’s only going to get worse for her when she realizes what happened to your dad and what Thaddeus might have involved her in on the compound, but she’s a victim just like the girls we found in the hole and the ones he killed.”

“I don’t know if she’ll ever come to terms with what she’s done. We can only help her deal with it and move on.”

“We’ll help her,” I said, squeezing his hand. “And you.” My eyes softened. “You realize that you getting sick in the restricted area was probably another hypnotic suggestion, but don’t worry. We’ll find a way to fix all the damage.”

He pulled out the envelope I’d given him when I’d broken into his condo before all of this started. It remained closed and sealed.

“You didn’t look?” I asked.

“No need,” he answered. “I already know what and who I desire.” His gaze on me softened as he leaned over me. “I love you, too, by the way.”

I chuckled. “I guess the earplugs didn’t drown out everything?”

“I can read lips,” he answered, pressing his to mine along with a sweet cascade of promises of forever.

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