Page 12 of The Other Side

“At least I’m not stupid enough to hang out on the wrong side of the battle line,” Gage shot back.

Brett narrowed his eyes at Gage. “What are you even doing here? Did you get orders from the dark lord, or are you here to finish what you started?”

Thea closed her eyes and rested her head back against the pillow. She’d come back to the place she’d once called home with one goal–see her mom. Now, she’d found herself right in the middle of the Hatfields’ and McCoys’ latest rumble.

It had been so long since she’d seen Brett, but five years and hundreds of miles couldn’t erase the memories. He’d been good to her for the short time they’d been together, but it had all happened so fast. It couldn’t have been real. She’d never met another man like him–before or after their whirlwind romance. He’d had a huge part in pushing her out of Wyoming, kicking off the worst time of her life.

She peeked up at him again, and his attention was focused on her, not Gage. Brett had always been handsome, but the boy he used to be had outshined the good looks. He’d been chivalrous, kind, thoughtful, selfless. He’d been the perfect friend and boyfriend–one worth risking the wrath of her family over.

And then he’d stepped into the armor he was born to wear and took up his place in the battle.

Here they were again–face-to-face–and she probably looked like she’d been through the meat grinder. Swollen face, matted hair, and all.

She’d known coming back was a huge risk, but she’d thought the worst she could encounter was her family. Turned out, it was her family and Brett in the same room.

Thea sucked in a deep breath as all energy seeped out of her. “Can you both leave? Please?”

Brett looked back and forth between Thea and Gage. “I don’t want to leave you. I’m sorry we were fighting.” Brett rubbed the back of his head. “I can sit quietly in the chair. Please.”

A short nurse walked in and greeted them with a smile that was out of place. “Hello, Miss Howard!”

“I want to make sure you’re okay,” Brett said, leaning down to whisper. “And I don’t want anyone to hurt you again.”

So, he was here to protect her? It didn’t make a lot of sense, but the part of her heart that still remembered the boy he’d been wanted to latch onto that hope and hold on.

He killed my dad.It was the only thought she needed to remember. Even if he’d done it to protect her, she could never condone killing.

The nurse stepped up to the foot of the bed and propped her hands on her wide hips. “How are you feeling?” she asked with too much pep.

“Tired. Everything hurts.” Nothing made sense, and she didn’t have the strength to care.

“Well, I’m about to give you a once-over.” She pointed to Brett and Gage. “One of these handsome men your hubby?”

She shook her head as Brett and Gage said “No” at the same time.

“Then you best be making yourselves scarce. The sheets are coming off.”

Thea’s eyes widened, and she reached for the thin blanket. She didn’t care how bad the damage was to her body, but neither of these guys were about to see her in a hospital gown.

Brett jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “I’ll be in the waiting room.” He turned to the nurse and extended a hand. “I’m Brett Patton. Please let me know if anything changes.”

The nurse eyed him for a moment before glancing to Thea. “Wait a minute. BrettPatton. TheaHoward. Who are you?” she asked, pointing at Gage.

“Gage Howard.”

The nurse threw her hands in the air. “Everyone out. I’m here to treat the patient, not play referee.”

Gage ignored the nurse and turned back to Thea. “Why did you come back?”

Thea remembered her mom, and the stinging tears welled behind her eyes. “Emerson told me about Mom.”

“That was stupid. They could have killed you,” Gage whispered.

So, Gage believed the men were Howards. Did he know which ones? She hadn’t been able to see in the darkness. “I know. Looks like I made my bed, and I have to lie in it, presumably until the doctor discharges me.”

“You have to leave,” Gage said. Nothing in the stern tone of his voice left any room for debate.

“Youhave to leave,” the nurse repeated. “Don’t make me call security.”

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