Page 48 of Legacy of Danger
"You can't kick anyone's butt, sis. And that's okay." His laugh warmed her soul. "But hey, I gave you got lots of free practice over the years. Also gave you practice patching me back together after fights."
Patching him up after other injuries, too. But she would not say the words out loud.
"Is that a glowing reference for my ringside doctoring skills?" Her neck and shoulder muscles relaxed.
"You don't need me to say a word. You did great here in Salt Lake the last year of your residency. And the local folks keep asking for you to work more fights here. That's compliment enough without giving you a big head."
"You're right."
The pause this time as he sipped on a drink wasn't uncomfortable. It was familiar. Easy.
"Hey, how's work?" Kevin asked.
Except for a certain man she kept running into at the hospital? A man who twisted her heart and mind into knots? A guy whose presence dredged up gritty memories she never wanted to explore again? Super duper. "Busy but good."
"But there's more."
She leaned her head back on the wood and rocked the chair. "No. Nothing more."
"Do you wish there was more?"
"No."
"You sure? Because I think you're not telling me everything."
Welcome back to her bratty little brother, poking until she lost her cool.
"Quit prying."
"I want only the best for my sister. Is he nice?"
"Hedoesn't exist, Kev."
"Nuh uh. I know your voice." He clicked his tongue. "And I think he does exist. Just make sure he treats you better than what's his face did, or I'll kick him into next week."
"Oh yeah?"
"Like that prick you dated in residency. He's like something I want to scrape off my shoes. No offense," he added quickly.
"None taken and good riddance." Sure, she would have been a good wife for her wealthy lawyer fiancé, but it wasn't worth yielding to the point whereMariahdisappeared completely.
"So is this guy nicer than that pinhead?"
A groan of frustration, half for the dead-end conversation and half for the remembered kisses from Vaughn, escaped her lips. "Enough. There's no one. I just wanted to hear your voice, not get grilled."
"We don't always get what we want." His voice took on a prim and proper tone. "Sometimes we get what we need."
"Thanks for that, Mr. Helpful. All right. Get back to doing whatever you were doing so you can build more muscle or skills or whatever meatheads like you do."
His laugh on the other end made the corners of her mouth rise.
"Stay out of trouble, sis."
* * *
Bam. Bambambam. Each impact came with a hiss of air as Vaughn beat the holy living hell out of the punching bag hanging in the back of the barn.
Bambam. Pow.Fifteen pounds off by Friday's weigh-in. No problem at this rate.
