Page 63 of Beautifully Broken Control

Kennedy’s hand squeezed mine. “Cain. I’m fine. I promise.”

The feel of her hand in mine was soothing. The rhythmic series of squeezes. It eased something in me. Slowed the pace of my mind. Stilled the cycles it so easily descended into. How could a single delicate hand do all that?

I lifted her hand to my mouth and pressed my lips to the back of it. “You’re right. You’re going to be fine.”

My phone buzzed in my back pocket, and I lifted a hip off the seat to pull it out. Walker’s name flashed on the screen. I hit accept. “Hey, Walk.”

“What the hell happened?”

“Kennedy took a spill off her bike. She’s going to be fine, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she has a concussion. We’re on our way to the hospital.”

“I’ll head there as soon as I pick up your SUV.”

Kennedy squeezed my hand again, bringing my attention back to her. “Tell them not to come. There’s no reason.” She obviously knew what our friends’ immediate reaction would be. I must have looked doubtful because she pushed on. “I don’t want a bunch of people there.”

“What’s going on?” Walker barked in my ear.

“Sorry. Kennedy says not to come.”

“Tough shit.”

I grinned. “She doesn’t want to be fawned over right now, Walk. It’s just going to stress her out to know you’re all in the waiting room. I’ll call you as soon as we know what’s going on, and you and the rest of the gang can come check on her as soon as we’re home.”

Walker blew out an audible breath across the line. “I want regular updates. The girls are going to be worried sick.”

I winced. All the women in Walker’s circle were natural-born nurturers, and therefore, worriers. It manifested in different ways, but they all cared deeply and fiercely. “Do what you can to keep them settled.”

“Updates will help.”

“You got it. I need to go.”

“Okay. Take care of her, brother.”

“You know I will.”

Walker grunted, and we both hung up.

“Success?” Kennedy asked hopefully.

I rubbed my thumb over the back of her hand. “With Walker, yes. Hopefully, he’ll be able to keep the others at bay.” I paused, studying her face. “But they care about you, Kennedy. They want to make sure you’re okay.”

Tears gathered in her eyes, and I scrambled forward, cupping the side of her face that wasn’t marred with scratches and cuts. “Baby, no. What’s wrong?”

Kennedy tried to swallow the tears back, to get them under control, but a few slipped free. “It’s been so long since I’ve felt that. Not since—” Her breath started to hiccup as she held back the sob.

“It’s okay. Everything’s going to be okay.” I pressed the side of my face against hers. “You’re not alone.” Her body gave a shudder, and she sucked in a breath that I knew was pain-induced. “Try to relax. You’re going to hurt yourself if you don’t.”

Kennedy gave a small nod, and I straightened, daring the EMT to say something with my eyes. Wisely, he said nothing.

The sirens ceased as we pulled to a stop. Within seconds, the back doors were open, and the EMTs were pulling Kennedy from the ambulance. We’d made it. Kennedy was going to get help, and everything would be fine. So why couldn’t I get the fist that had my heart in a vise to relax?

25

Kennedy

There had beenbloodwork and x-rays and, at Cain’s insistence, even an MRI. My cuts had been doctored by a nurse, and an IV inserted. Finally, I had been returned to my bay in the ER. I scowled at Cain as the gurney was locked into place.

“Why are you scowling at me?”

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