Page 64 of Hearts Storm

“And I’m her friend,” she counters. “Who she was having a perfectly pleasant conversation with before you stormed in here like a freaking Neanderthal.

“Don’t you think you’re being a little overbearing?” she challenges, crossing her arms.

The tension between them is palpable, making my head throb even more. Popping the painkillers into my mouth, I wash them down with a gulp of water.

“I’m being cautious,” he corrects, voice tight. “There’s a difference.”

Lizzy rolls her eyes. “Right. And the fact that you’re practically vibrating with overprotective need has nothing to do with it.”

“I’m not overprotective,” he huffs, eyes flicking back to me, betraying him.

“Whatever you say, brother.” Lizzy turns to me with a knowing smile. “Rest up, Rey. I’ll see you soon.”

Once she’s gone, Logan stands rigidly in the doorway. He looks like he wants to bolt, but can’t quite bring himself to do it.

“Thanks for checking on me,” I say, breaking the silence. “But I really am fine.”

He licks his lips, studying me. “You don’t look fine.”

“Wow, okay. Flatter much?” I mumble.

“I didn’t mean—” He cuts himself off, exhaling sharply. “You know that’s not what I meant.”

And that’s the problem. I know he cares, despite his Herculean effort to pretend otherwise.

Well, shit. Now my chest is aching.

“I’m gonna go⁠—”

The fire alarm blares. Adrenaline surges, head throbbing as instinct takes over and I swing my legs off the bed, wincing as pain shoots through my skull.

“Stay put!” Logan barks, already heading out. “That’s an order!”

“But—”

“No buts. You’re in no shape to help. Stay. Here,” he commands, eyes flashing with authority before he dashes out the door, slamming it behind him.

My heart races as his boots thunder down the hall. The roar of engines coming to life vibrates through the walls. Within seconds, I hear the massive bay doors rolling up and the wail of sirens fading into the distance.

Frustration burns through my veins. I hate being sidelined. Hate being treated like I’m fragile. I’ve spent my entire life fighting against that exact thing.

The pain in my head starts pulsing with every beat of my heart. So, I lie back down, snuggle into the blankets, and stare up at the ceiling.

What if they need me? What if multiple people are hurt and they need an extra pair of hands?

Suddenly, I’m more tired than I was before my nap.

A sneaking suspicion washes over me as my eyes start to blur and my mind grows sluggish. That. Little. Witch. Seems the pills Lizzy handed over weren’t your average painkillers.

Mentally rolling my eyes, I fall into the dark abyss of sleep.

twenty-eight

Sirens blare and engines roar as we speed down Main Street. Perils of this job aside, leaving Reyna behind while she’s hurt is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.

“Cap?” Brex’s voice cuts through my thoughts from his seat next to mine. “You okay?”

“Fine,” I snap, hand gripping the oh-shit handle, eyes fixed on the road ahead.