“Good, I hope he needs a babysitter again soon. Well, we better get you to my house so you can change, and we can get Ava’s fawning over with. I understand it’s hard sometimes, but indulge her, and I promise I’ll have you home by tonight. If you resist, she’ll insist you stay and, well, I find it pretty damn hard to tell her no when she wants something,” Marcus chuckled.
“I’m not worthy of her fawning, but I will do my best to resist retreating,” I vowed shyly, and he smiled before enveloping me in a gentle hug.
With a kiss on the top of my head, he proclaimed, “you are, Angel, you’re worth that and so much more. Tomorrow is soon enough to talk about the future.” The way he watched me made me think he had more to say, and I swallowed nervously upon realizing it was about Matty.
We walked towards his car, and he bustled me in, although he made sure I moved slow enough to not cause myself pain. Once in the car, he murmured, “I had one of mine follow both groups. Albeit, I do not know how Tammy is holding up, nor Matty since they are outside. I will have them smuggle the two of them out as soon as it’s safe. Even though he went to the airport and boarded a private plane, I don’t trust him to not have left someone behind to watch for Matty just in case. So, I will have them returned home to allow you to breathe easier. I’m sorry this happened, sweetheart, I know how much you missed him. I can keep him safe, which I realize you doubt since you just got hurt. But perhaps I can prove it to you. I will see the two of you together even if I have to kill that man myself.” I would like that, but I didn’t see it happening soon. I couldn’t risk Matty, he was my sunshine, the one thing that always made me smile no matter what.
Before I could respond, he bustled me into his house, where a frowning Ava paced. “Oh, Angel,” she gasped with tears in her eyes when she saw me. I gulped, dropping my gaze and flinching when she came closer.
“I’m sorry that I’ve brought trouble to your door,” I whispered, and she frowned.
“Angel Draven, you will stop apologizing for things you cannot control or so help me I will pin you and let your baby brother tickle you,” Ava promised with a growl. My lips curled into a smile on their own, because I could never be against something harmless that I knew my little brother would enjoy.
“Besides, it’s not your fault you ended up in the hospital,” Marcus added cheerfully, and I playfully frowned at him. Chuckling, he kissed my cheek, Ava on the lips, and pulled out his phone to make a few calls.
“Let’s get you changed, so you feel cleaner, then how about some music while we make dinner?” Ava offered with a smile. Smiling, I nodded, and she showed me to the bathroom to allow me to get out of my bloody jeans. Not that I would have cared about changing in front of her. After what I’ve seen people wear as swimsuits, walking around in my underwear doesn’t bother me in the least. Let’s be honest, mine covers more than theirs.
I sighed with relief once I had my blood-stained jeans off and used the washcloth Ava provided to get what I could off my skin. Once changed, I opened the bathroom door to find Ava waiting with a smile. “I learned how to get bloodstains out of everything years ago due to Marcus and his ability to pick a fight with everyone when we met. He was quite the troublemaker, but I wouldn’t change a thing about him. Now, how about chili for dinner?” Ava asked with a bright smile, and I grinned.
“Chili is one of my favorites, Matty’s too,” I admitted while looking at the ground and rubbing the back of my neck. I hope Marcus will send some to Matty to soften the blow that he has to go back early.
“Then we’ll make sure he gets some,” Ava decided, and I sighed, relaxing while rolling my eyes at myself. Ava would insist, which was one of the many reasons I loved this woman.
“Um,” I mumbled, and she glanced at me. Unable to meet her eyes, I admitted, “I think of you and Marcus like you’re my older siblings. Well, Marcus like he’s my older brother making you like a sister-in-law. Um, I hope that doesn’t offend you. But, if it does, I can stop thinking like that. I just love you like family, and I wanted you to know in case something happens, you know? I faced my mortality yesterday, then with my monster today, I guess I’m a little emotional. But um-“ I stopped speaking in surprise when Ava shook her head and pulled me into a tight hug.
I flinched when something hit my shoulder, belatedly realizing it was her tears. My lip trembled, and I returned her hug with as much strength as I had, burying my face in her shoulder while the dam containing my tears broke. Within moments, I sobbed out my fear, pain and worry from the past week, especially the last twenty-four hours. Marcus hugged me from behind after a few minutes, kissing the top of my head, and I sobbed harder.
“Our little stray has accepted herself as family,” Ava beamed once I got my tears under control. Sniffling, I risked a glance at his eyes only to lose control once more.
“Come here, sweetheart,” Marcus murmured, his arms enveloping me. And, in the safety of his embrace, I cried
