Page 182 of Possession

I pause before pressing the button. “No. It’s just the burn victim.”

I turn, and Cole holsters his gun, but never shifts his frown from me. “You, Cruz, are a drama queen and a bullet magnet. I think you and I need to take a break. I have a wife, two kids, a cranky cat, and a farmhouse. I’d like to grow old with them … and in them, if you catch my drift. I’d give you the wholeit’s not you, it’s mebit, but I’m no liar. It’s you—totally you. You need to rethink your priorities.”

And with that, I watch the CIA officer turn and clomp down the stairs.

Wow.

After two years and all we’ve been through, Cole actually broke up with me.

Whatever. He’ll get over it when he needs his next action fix. I have no doubt he’ll be back.

Plus, my priorities are just fine. I’m counting on the unprotected sex to blow my life up into a big, fat cloud of normal that lives forever and ever until death do us part at a really fucking old age.

Shit. I think Cole Carson is rubbing off on me.

I shake that off. I have an intern to check on and an illegitimate wife who’s probably about to lose her mind.

45

LUCKY

Landyn

Rocco lies in the hospital bed with his good forearm draped over his face. The patient gown is barely hanging on, otherwise he’s bare from the waist up. They’re treating his burn

He’s lucky.

Lucky he’s not dead.

Lucky Brax, Cole, and Tim got there when they did.

And lucky his burns are second degree for the most part.

They got there just in time. There are a few spots on his forearm that are third degree, but they’re small enough, the doctor said he won’t need a graft. He’s being treated for an infection just in case and needs someone to help dress the wound until it heals.

That’s where Brax and I come in.

Rocco needs us. We’re back to where we wanted to be when we were going to take Rocco to dinner but really talk him into coming to New York.

Okay, so we might’ve had a detour that included Rocco running, being attacked and thrown into the back of a cargo van by his own club, and a homemade tattoo removal. It was downright scary, and I never want to experience anything like it again.

Tim managed to help Rocco out of the building while Brax and Cole were dealing with Logan Pritchett. Once we heard they were clear over the radio, I made Micah take me to them and rode with Rocco to the hospital.

I haven’t seen Brax since. Micah said there’s a procedure following a shooting. It’s taken all day.

I guess when you’re undercover, it’s a different ballgame. He didn’t do that after our wedding day.

Micah hasn’t left my side, and I haven’t left Rocco’s. I’m a mess of anxiety. I need to get Brax alone to tell him about my dad.

I dread it more than anything.

For the time being, I’m focusing on Rocco. I’ve decided I’m going to be the best older sister he never had.

Honestly, I have no clue if he really has a sister or a brother. He’s never told me. But if he does, they’re horrible for not wanting to be a part of his life.

I won’t mother him. I’m not that old, and with all the unprotected sex I’ve been having, the only other thing on my mind—besides Brax hating me or forcing Rocco to move across the country with us—is babies. I do want to be a mom, but not to Rocco.

Just no.

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