Page 139 of Mangled Memory
Cian squeezes my knee. I have no clue what he’s communicating, and I don’t care.
“Did you two ask me to date someone, fuck someone, marry someone to get you on a trial?”
“Ayla!”
“Mom, you made me a high-dollar hooker. I deserve to have the answer.”
“She deserves to know, Janie.” My husband’s authoritative voice rings out behind me. “And so do I.”
39
kosher
Ayla
Mom sobs, and I can’t be bothered to care. I jump from my seat and fling myself at the man I love. The dark, dangerous man who looks so much worse for wear after today. He holds a tray of coffees in one hand and brown paper bag in the other.
“Oof.” He makes a pained sound when the impact pushes the air from his lungs. “You’re awake.”
“Sorry. Not sorry.” I hold him like my life depends on it.
Because it does.
His shaking body combined with a low moan has me stepping back.
“Where are you hurt? Why did it take so long for them to release you? Why didn’t you let me know?”
“I’ve been out here for hours. You were asleep. I only stepped away for coffee. Priorities…”
Mom’s voice behind me brings me back to where we were mere moments ago. “This is why I never worried after the initial setup. Because you were smitten. The world turned on Christian’s axis, and he found you to be what we all knew—precious, wonderful, and perfect. You were complete together, so I didn’t care that how you met wasn’t… kosher.”
Kosher. Did she just go with kosher to describe whoringme out?
“Enough.” I dismiss everything around me but the bearded man in my arms. “Tell me you’re okay.”
He points to the outside of his thigh. “I took another bullet.”
“You were shot?”
“It was a graze this time, so no hot tub for a while.”
“You— You dove in front of that when he aimed…” My voice lowers with every word until it’s barely a whisper.
“I dove in front of you, Princess. There was no fucking way you were taking that hit with me right there.”
Cian stands and comes to us, extending a hand to Christian, his one good eye saying more than words ever could.
“Cian.” Christian sets his bag down and extends a hand to my brother.
“He’s coming home with us.” I push up on my toes and kiss the underside of his jaw. “After we hear about Fitz.”
Liam pipes up. “He’s out of surgery. He coded on the table, but they brought him back.”
I gasp. “When can I see him?”
“After he gets out of recovery.”
“We need to call his family.”
