Page 76 of Kept

“—can’t do it either. He’s focused on keeping her safe and making sure she’s fed, but he doesn’t have what you have. Neither of us do. We needyou. So get on the fucking boat, Ryder. And if you’re that torn up over the fucking day job, pack it in and become a damn nun.”

With a final push, he turns and leaves, and I stare at his retreating back.

That was theworstpep talk I’ve ever heard.

Hesitantly, I make my way back into the bedroom. Zella is curled up in the corner chair fiddling with her hair, watching Maverick remake the bed with wide eyes. “You really don’t have to do this.”

“Yes, we do.” He says the words softly, his eyes locking with mine as he straightens.

Avoiding his gaze, I try to smile at Zella. “How are you feeling?”

“Better. I think the little buttons helped?”

“Those are pills. Painkillers.” Taking up the spot next to her, we watch Maverick fuss over the bedding like an old woman in silence.

Finally, he turns. “Arms up.”

Zella raises her arms obediently and he lifts her from the bed, carrying her across the room and tucking her back in. She looks smaller as she curls back up, even her hair tucked away under the covers. Maverick leans over, testing the temperature of her forehead. “One of us will stay with you.”

“This is silly.” Her muffled voice protests before her head pops out of the covers, looking adorably mussed. “I’m used to doing this on my own. And if it’s so normal, why is everyone fussing?”

I stay back as Maverick sits beside her. “It might be normal,” he says gently. “But this – this is new to all of us, Zella. We’re all learning as we go. And none of us like the idea of you being in pain.”

“I don’t mind,” Enzo drawls, “but I’d rather be the one in charge of it.”

Maverick pins him with a disapproving stare, before stroking his fingers across Zella’s cheek. “Enzo and I have work to do. We’ll come and check on you later.”

Well… I guess I’m first up.

After they’ve left, we linger in awkward silence. I stay against the wall, and Zella disappears back under the covers. I hear her grumbling, and the covers jiggle as she moves herself around until her head pops back up with a frustrated huff.

“I feel fine now,” she says grumpily. “I can get up.”

I waggle my finger at her. “Nuh-uh. Maverick gives the orders around here, princess. I think he might blow a gasket if you jump up straight away. Maybe in an hour or so.”

She flops back against the pillows with a huff. “Will you at least come over here? Or are you so determined to avoid me?”

My brows fly up. “I… ah. I’m not avoiding you.”

Vivid green eyes pin me with an accusing stare. “I might be… naïve, but I’m not an imbecile, Ryder. You’re avoiding me because of last night, and then what just happened.”

I swallow down the urge to pinch my nose. I really am turning into Daddy Mav. “You’re very direct, you know.”

She shrugs. “Will you come over here? Please?”

My feet are moving before my brain can give the direction, and I hover over her. “What’s wrong?”

She frowns at me. “Nothing. Will you lay down? You’re making my neck crick.”

When I hesitate, she crosses her arms. “You did it before, after the forest. Why is now any different?”

Because it feels like more now.

But I lay down beside her anyway, on top of the covers with my hands folded over my stomach. Zella wriggles until both of us are staring at the ceiling, the sound of soft breathing filling the space between us.

Her hand creeps across the covers. When I flip my hand over, her fingers entwine with mine, and she sighs.

“I’ll never get used to that. You’re so warm.”

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