“It’s a secret they’ve kept well but he chose tae share it with you. That tells me how much he trusts ye.”
“He knows I will never betray his secret.”
I continue my work, slicing through the pants. I cover his groin with the sheet before moving on to the removal of his underwear. Once I’m finished cutting away his remaining clothing, I bathe every inch of his body.
He’s in bad shape—countless cuts, bruises, and abrasions. He grimaces when I wash his side so I suspect he has broken ribs as well. One of his shoulders is disfigured so I’m guessing it’s dislocated. “I don’t think Jamie saw this. He’s going to have to pop it back into place.”
“Should I wake him?” she asks.
“Not yet. I’ll give him the morphine at eight and we’ll wait for it to work before we inflict any more pain on him.” I’m convinced Sin would have faired far better had he been in a head-on collision.
Eight o’clock arrives and it’s time for Sin’s morphine injection. I wipe his hip with alcohol and make the V like Jamie showed me, looking at my target. The thought of driving this needle into his flesh nauseates me. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m normally not squeamish.”
“It’s the thought of sticking something intae the muscle. It’ll pass after ye do it.” She places a supportive hand on my shoulder. “When he wakes, he’ll be proud of the way ye’ve cared for him.”
I get it. This is my service to him. By doing this, I’m showing him how grateful I am for what he’s done for me. His act was one of love and so is this.
“Breck. It’s Bleu. I’m going to give you a shot of pain medicine in your hip.” I have no idea if he can hear me. I highly doubt it but it doesn’t seem right to jab him without telling him what’s coming.
I pop the needle into his skin, down into his muscle, but he doesn’t flinch, still sedated from the morphine Jamie gave him earlier. Good. “Sleep well, my Breck.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Sinclair Breckenridge
I ache from the top of my head down to the tips of my toes as I shift in the bed. I open my eyes—or eye, since it seems my left one is swollen shut—and lift my head, causing my brain to throb. I recognize it as rebound pain from the narcotic. That shit does it to me every time.
I look at my surroundings and discover I was brought home and placed in my own bed. Good. It’s the only place I want to be right now.
It’s likely late evening based on the amount of sunlight in the room. That means I’ve slept a long time but it’s not surprising. I’m sure Jamie shot me up with plenty of narcotics.
Bleu is sleeping next to me, curled into the fetal position. I can’t resist touching her so I reach out and stroke the back of my hand down her face. “I love you, Bleu MacAllister. I’ll always do what it takes to keep you safe, no matter the extreme.”
She stirs in her sleep so I stroke her face again. I’m aware of how selfish I’m being for waking her but I can’t help myself. “Bonny.”
She stretches and turns on her side to face me, eyes wide open. She reaches out to touch my face and the sensation is peculiar. It feels fat and numb, from the swelling I suppose. “Breck. You’re awake.”
“Only just now.” She scoots closer, careful to not come too near. As much as I love her touch, I don’t think I can stand it. Everything hurts. “Opeing my eyes to see you lying next to me … there isn’t a more beautiful sight to look upon when waking.” I wouldn’t mind it being this way every morning of our lives.
“You left here last night on your way to a meeting with The Fellowship council. How in the hell did it escalate to this?”
I recount the events of last night for Bleu. “So clearly, it didn’t go the way anyone expected.”
“Obviously,” she says.
“Abram is very displeased.” That’s an understatement. He’s mad as hell.
“Why? He got to see you get the shit beaten out of you. He probably popped fresh popcorn while he watched the show.” Wow. She’s bitter.
“He likely did enjoy it since I burst his bubble by informing him I’d never marry his daughter, Westlyn.”
Bleu makes a confused face—wrinkled brow, narrowed eyes. “But she’s your cousin.”
“Not by blood. Remember Abram was adopted. The brotherhood would accept it, probably happily. Our union would strengthen the brotherhood. That’s win-win for everyone, except me.”
“He wants you as a son-in-law so he can whisper in your ear.”
She gets this completely. “Exactly.”
“He would be a total nightmare as a father-in-law.”
“Without doubt,” I agree.
“I think he finally understood it’s not going to happen.”
“Good.” Her hand finds mine. “Are you in much pain?”
Aye. I feel like I’ve been run over by a train but I’ll never admit it. I don’t want her to carry any guilt about my decision. “It’s not too bad.”
“Liar.”
“I’ve been called worse.” I laugh, and then grimace because it hurts like a son of a bitch. “Mmm …,” I groan.
“Okay, Mr. ‘It’s Not Too Bad.’ Tell me how I can make this better.”
“As much as I dread getting up, I need the toilet and I fear I’ll require your assistance.” She comes around to my side of the bed. “I’m going to be slow.”
“No worries. I have all the time in the world. I’m a kept woman so I have nowhere to be.”
“I’m not sure how well kept you’ll be while I’m in this kind of shape.”
“We’re partners, Breck.” She leans down to kiss the top of my head. “You take care of me and now, I’m going to care for you.”
She squats down and attaches my blade I wear at home as I sit on the edge of the bed. I then use her for support while walking. “I’ve got it from here.”
“I don’t trust your legs.”
I don’t really want her in here with me when I piss for the first time. I’m expecting blood—maybe lots of it considering the abuse my kidneys and bladder took. I’m afraid she’ll freak out. “Come on, Bonny Bleu. You won’t even take a piss without closing the door.”
“I shut the door because I’m a lady and I prefer you didn’t know I have bodily functions. You, on the other hand, use the toilet in front of me all the time. You’re not shy so there’s no need to start now.”