Page 25 of Where We Bloom

She nods, and I unbuckle her in time to pull her over the side of the car. She throws up, barely missing my shoes.

Not that I give a fuck. She could retch all over the car, all over me, and I couldn’t care less. It’s the fact that she’s hurting at all that has me out of my bloody mind.

“Good.” I use my shirt to wipe off her mouth. “Good girl, you need to get that poison out of you. Did you drink the whole thing, baby?”

She whimpers again. Her eyes are closed, and I need to know how much she drank.

“Billie. Can you look at me?”

She forces her eyes open and scowls. “Connor?”

“It’s me. You’re safe, angel. Did you drink the whole drink?”

“No. Few sips.”

Thank Christ.

“I’m taking you home, bumble. I’ve got you.”

I get her buckled back in, then spare a look at the idiot on the ground. He’s sitting up, cradling his wrist against his chest. I rush around to the driver’s side and pull out of the car park, watching Billie closely as I navigate through town.

“I live ten minutes away,” I assure her as I reach over and press the back of my hand to her forehead. She doesn’t feel warm, but her breathing is shallow, and she keeps whimpering. “Billie, can you hear me? I need you to talk to me, angel.”

“Thirsty.” She licks her lips, and her head moves back and forth against the seat as if she’s agitated. I wish I could pull her into my arms and comfort her.

“Okay, it’s okay, gorgeous, we’ll get you some water. It’s not far now.”

I should have killed that motherfucker. I’m going to ruin his life.

The gate at my property recognizes my vehicle and automatically opens, and I drive down the long driveway to my house. I bought this ten-acre property earlier this year when I decided to buy the ski resort that had burned down last Thanksgiving and rebuild it as a Gallagher Hotels property. I knew I’d be here for the entire build and didn’t want to live in a hotel.

For once in my adult life, I wanted a home base.

And this house suits my needs well. It’s more of a mansion, with mountain views and a lodge aesthetic, but the best part is, it’s private, with a guesthouse for Miller and other men I might have with me at any given time.

The lights are on inside, and I scoop Billie into my arms and carry her in and through to the family room off the kitchen, where I spend a lot of time. It’s comfortable, with a deep sectional sofa, and I can grab anything she might need from the kitchen.

“Here,a stór,” I say as I settle her into the corner of the sofa. “I’m getting you water. Do you feel sick again?”

“Tired,” she mutters, nuzzling against the back of the couch. “Sleep.”

“Let me get some water in you.”

I rush to the kitchen and grab a water bottle from the fridge. I help her take a few sips before she lies back and seems to fall into a restless sleep.

“Fuck me,” I mutter, rubbing my hand over my neck.

I call her brother Blake. Ironically, I have all of her brothers’ contact info, but I don’t have hers.

Having hers would have been too tempting.

But the Blackwells have brought my sister into their family, and I needed to know how to reach any one of them in case of an emergency.

Blake’s phone rings three times before he answers.

He wasn’t sleeping. He’s breathing too hard for that.

“What?” he barks into the phone.

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