Page 178 of The Forbidden Note

No, IknowI am.

That’s why I don’t need any of their damn pity.

“Get the hell out of my room. Dutch, let Cadey sleep in a bed tonight. Finn, Sol’s parents are probably freaking out. Send them a text and tell them he’s sleeping over after the dance and Sol…”

He goes tense.

“For the love of—let someone clean that ugly mug of yours. There’s so much blood you look like an assassin.”

“His pain meds must be kicking in,” Dutch says.

He’s right. The pain is muted, but my head is still pounding and my wrist is still numb. “I’ll kick you out myself if I have to.”

Dutch lifts his chin stubbornly. “We’re staying. Hall might come back. Or—”

“Hall isn’t dumb enough to strike twice and you know it.”

My twin glares at me.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re injured. Maybe permanently,” Finn says outright.

I smirk. “Have I ever, one day in my life, let anyone besides me decide what I can and cannot do?”

Sol licks his lips. His voice is stern. “You can’t make a joke out of everything. This is serious.”

I look at each of my brothers. They’re so worried about me that they can’t even hide it. “I’m going to play the drums again.”

Dutch glances down as if he’s trying to hide his pity.

“And I’m going to break Hall’s legs myself. So don’t touch him until I recover.”

Sol opens his mouth as if he’ll argue.

“Out.” I order, more intensely this time. “Go home. All of you.”

Finn is the first to walk out.

Sol follows reluctantly.

Dutch cradles Cadey and shares a knowing look with Grey before carrying his wife out of the room.

The door clicks shut.

It’s just me and Grey.

“Was that necessary?” She sets the coffee cup down. “They’re all worried about you. Cadey just managed to fall asleep after checking on you every three seconds.”

“Come here.”

Her eyes flicker away. “Zane.”

“Come. Here.”

She hesitates as if she’s considering whether to ignore that instruction.

I bawl out in pain, curling my wrist to my chest. “Ah!”

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