Page 79 of Little Bird (Advantage Play 3)

I laugh, though it’s interrupted with another groan. Once I catch my breath, I answer, “Noted.”

Then he’s gone, and my shoulders sag a little farther, giving Regina a bit more of my weight than I’d ever dare to give her under normal circumstances.

“Let’s get the hell out of here.”

Chapter Forty-Six

Dex

The rest of the morning is spent in a blur of stitches and pain killers. Kingston had prepped the doctor about my condition, and as soon as Regina and I entered the house, he got straight to work before ordering me to get some sleep.

He didn’t have to put too much effort into persuading me.

With a groan, I roll onto my side and take in the blood-red satin sheets that match the curtains framing the balcony window.

“You sure your brother won’t mind that I slept in your room?” I grumble before pushing myself up onto the mattress. I feel like I was run over by a truck. Resting my back against the headboard, I catch Regina with a black pair of glasses balanced on her button nose, and the sight is enough to distract me from my pounding headache. She looks up at me from a chair tucked in the corner of the room, and I can’t help but notice the way the light from the window casts a glow on her makeup-free face, showcasing her natural beauty to perfection.

“You held up your end of the bargain by taking his punishment. Now, it’s his turn to hold up his end of the deal.”

Satisfied with her confidence that I’m not about to be finished off by her brother after everything I went through to get here, I change the subject. “Since when do you wear glasses?”

“Since forever, but they’re only for reading. Why?”

“I’ve never seen you wear them.”

“And that surprises you?” she teases, setting aside her book before pushing the glasses off her face until they act as a makeshift headband.

“Kind of. Sometimes I forget how little I know about you.”

With the sweetest of smiles, she throws me a bone. “You know everything that matters, but I’m sure we’ll both be pleasantly surprised with a few curveballs in the future. Gotta keep each other on our toes, right?”

The sway of her hips distracts me from coming up with a witty remark as she saunters toward the bed.

Once she’s within reach, I use my good hand to tug her closer. “Right.”

“How are you feeling?” she asks.

My head feels like an elephant sat on it for a few hours, but other than that….

“I’m fine.”

“You sure?” Her forehead wrinkles with discomfort, and her mouth purses in distaste as her gaze bounces around my busted up face.

“With a look like that, you’re making me question it,” I remark dryly.

She laughs, her worry lines disappearing in the blink of an eye. “Sorry. I know guys like you hate pity and stuff, but seriously…your face is making me hurt.”

Joining in her contagious laughter, I wrap my right arm around her neck and pull her in for a quick kiss. “Way to stroke my ego. Should I get a brown sack to cover it?”

“That’s not what I meant!”

“I’m teasing,” I console her. “I’ll be fine, Little Bird. Promise.”

A loud knock grabs my attention as Regina calls out, “Who is it?”

“It’s me,” the voice returns. “Stefan.”

“Come in.”

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