Page 75 of Speak No Claim

“No, you’re not excused. It’s actually your fault he’s in this situation in the first place.”

“My fault?” I thought back to the reason for his call. “Is he okay?”

“He’ll be fine physically, not too sure about mentally and emotionally. He’s gone soft in the head for you.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Like you don’t already know.”

“Know what?”

“That he's going to want to see you when he wakes up.”

“Is he in the hospital?”

“Of course not, he’s next door to you, tucked away in his bed.”

I frowned. “But I thought you said he’s unconscious?”

“He is.”

“Then why isn’t he at the hospital?”

“Too many questions.”

“And that’s one thing about your Brotherhood, huh? No questions allowed.”

“I didn’t call you to hear your shit, Hennessy. I called you because Onyx is the only brother I’ve ever had, and this is the first time I’ve ever seen him take a lashing for anyone.”

I gasped. “A lashing?”

“Are you a fucking parrot? Yes, a lashing.”

“Ay dios mío.”

“Yeah, no fucking shit. You’re going to have to call all your gods on this one, Amazon Princess. Your man is going to need the protection.”

“Against whom?”

“You.”

“Me?” I winced.

“Yeah, your little kiss cost him forty stitches.”

I gasped again.

“From ten lashes.”

I had to sit, trying to catch my bearings. My heart was pounding out of my chest, especially when he added…

* * *

“One for every sin.”

Chapter

Twenty-Three