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Jude shook his head. “No, but he was hurt. It’s why you didn’t see him for a while. He was worried about upsetting Mana. These people you were dealing with were the worst kinds of bottom feeders, Jordan. You can’t let yourself get involved in that kind of situation again. Is the gambling a problem?”
Jordan shook his head. “No. But I don’t plan to play poker again. Ever.”
“You can still enjoy the game for fun, you know.”
This time when he met Jude’s gaze, the bleak expression in his eyes cut into Jude like a knife. “I don’t think I’ll ever enjoy that game again, Jude.”
Jude nodded because he understood. He understood that Jordan would be recovering mentally and emotionally so much longer than he would from the coma and that would take time as well. He’d already started physical therapy and would be continuing that for some time.
“I’m going to move back in with Mana until I’m on my feet, physically and financially.”
Jude nodded. “That would be best. Unless you’d like to stay with Snow and me.”
“No, thanks for the offer, but I feel like going home for a while. Letting Mana spoil me a little.” He finally smiled. It was wobbly and barely visible, but it was a smile nonetheless. It gave Jude hope. His brother was still there. Battered and a lot worse for wear, but there.
There was a knock on the door and before Jude could take another breath, family members were pouring into the room. His mother, Carrick, and his Uncle Gary. They rallied around Jordan, and Jude hoped that his brother realized the incredible support system he had, that he’d never try to take care of a problem of that magnitude on his own again.
All he could do was hope.
Anna eyed him for a moment, then pointed to the door. Jude sighed. He knew that look. He stood and followed her into the hall. She continued walking until they were out of earshot of Jordan’s room, turned and plopped her hands on her hips. His mother was a small woman who dressed in bright, primary colors and more often than not—like today—had her hair in a ponytail. Today’s yellow sweater had blue and pink stripes.
“You’ve been keeping me out of the loop, and I don’t appreciate it,” she announced, her dark eyes narrowed as she stepped out of the way of a nurse hurrying through the hall. “What was in that video you turned over to the police?”
“Mana, you know what was in it. I told you that Jordan had been beaten on camera.”
“Is that all?” she demanded.
It was all as far as she was concerned. He would never expose her to the entire truth. None of it.
“You think I’m stupid, eh? Or just not strong enough to handle the truth? The police told me they cracked down on an adult site that had actual violence in it. That the man responsible has taken off. What do you know about that?”
“Nothing more than you do. Jordan got mixed up in a gambling scheme, and he paid for it by ending up in the hospital. You know what I know.”
She stared hard at him and her expression suddenly caved in. “Oh yie mou, what did you do?”
It took everything Jude had to keep his expression innocent. He was so far from innocent and as far as he was concerned, his mana would never ever know just how far he’d taken things. As it was, he had to live with what he’d done, and he didn’t know how he was going to do that.
“And why have I not seen Snow in weeks?” she asked.
Fuck. Nothing got by her.
More people rushed through the hallway, and he pulled her aside out of the way. “He was hurt in the car accident, remember? He’s stayed away to let his bruises heal. He loves you and didn’t want to worry you.”
She scowled. “He was hurt worse than I knew?”
He nodded, actually thankful he had an excuse for the wounds on his man’s face.
“I want to see him, and I don’t want any more excuses.”
“He’s here in the hospital today. You can track him down.” He couldn’t help but grin a little at the thought of his little mother barreling through the place searching for Snow.
“I have no intention of chasing him.” She pulled out her phone and called. Of course, Snow wouldn’t answer if he was in surgery, so Jude had to smother a laugh at the message she left. “If you don’t get your butt down to my son’s room sometime in the next two hours, I’m coming after you and…I’ll be very hurt.”
She disconnected the call and the naughty smile on her lips warmed his heart.
“No qualms about guilting him at all, eh?” Jude teased.
“None whatsoever. He’s been avoiding me just as you have, and I’m done with it. Our family has gone through a hard time and we pull together through it, not avoid each other. If I’d known how badly he’d been hurt, I could have helped. I love that man you’ve chosen to spend your life with as if he’s my own son. He is my son as far as I’m concerned, so no more lies.”
