Page 59 of Forever Your Touch

“You’re in college, yeah?”

Mason nodded. “Studying computers. I figured might as well major in something I’m already good at. I do some hacking too. That’s why my brother Kade gave me a part-time job at his security firm. He thinks if I hack legally it’ll keep me away from the illegal stuff.”

“Does it?”

“No.”

Jackson laughed. “Nice. Tell you what. Once this shit with Ava gets sorted, I’ll look at your bike. Might bring you by the clubhouse. Those guys know a lot about them too.”

“Cool.” Mason leaned against the wall while Jackson went in to hold his niece. He was going to get to visit a real MC clubhouse.

Awesome.

***

Jo blinked, the light from the windows hurting her eyes. She heard the steady beeping of machines, and yesterday hit her full throttle. As soon as she remembered, the pain came back. Why the brain did that, she had no clue, but it always worked like that. You didn’t feel the pain until you either saw the injury or remembered it. The weirdness of the human brain.

She looked around and saw her parents quietly talking in the corner and a strange guy passed out in the chair against the wall. The bed held a strange girl as well. She didn’t look to be a patient. She wasn’t hooked up to anything, and she still had all her clothes.

“Finally.” Her head twisted around to see Keith sitting in the chair. His familiar face was a welcome sight. She’d missed him so much. Despite her anger at him trying to control her life, she loved her brother. More than she did her sisters, but she’d never admit that out loud.

“Honey!” Her mother rushed over and hugged her, tears slipping down her face. “Thank God.”

“Mom, I’m okay.” She patted her back awkwardly. “Really.”

“What the hell were you thinking?” Her father might look relieved, but he was pissed as hell.

“That I was gonna mow the grass?” She cleared her throat. “Is there any water in here?”

Keith got it for her, and she took several long gulps. Her throat and mouth resembled sandpaper more than anything else.

“Thanks.” She handed the Styrofoam cup back to him. “Where’s Ray?”

“Not here.” At Keith’s clipped words, her heart sank. He hadn’t come.

“Who are the strange people asleep?”

“Nik and Lily. They’re Mason’s family. Mase said they came up here to stay with you while he went to the chapel to pray for the baby.”

“Baby?”

“His sister-in-law went into labor with her twins. Something’s wrong with one of them.”

“Oh no,” she murmured. Mason had to be going out of his mind with worry. He loved his family like she did her own.

“His family has been in and out all day yesterday and all night checking on you,” Keith went on. “Just because you’re important to Mason.”

“They did?” Something fluttered in her stomach, and she felt her chest tighten. His family, who didn’t know her, for the most part, checked on her? Ray’s parents had never done that.

“Yes. We thanked them for watching out for you. The Kincaids are the nicest people.” Her mother took the last empty chair by her bed. “I like them, especially Mason. He cares a lot about you.”

“He’s turned into my best friend.” She moved, and pain shot up her entire leg into her hip, ripping a cry out of her. Damn, that hurt.

It woke both Lily and Nik, who sat up, their eyes going straight to her. Nik looked like Mason, but there were small differences. The signature black hair and eyes were prominent, though.

“Oh, hey.” Nik ran a hand through his very messy hair. “How you feeling, Jo?”

“Like my leg got run over with a lawnmower?” She noticed how quickly he got up and went over to where Lily was sitting quietly, her blue eyes wide. She reminded Jo of Snow White. Creamy ivory skin, hair as black as Nik’s, and the most beautiful dark blue eyes.

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