Page 165 of Reckless Vengeance

“You need to rest and we’ll talk more later, okay?”

“Where’s Skeet?”

That made him wince. “He’s with Hunter. They’re looking for the car that ran you off the road last night.”

“Last night? It’s Tuesday?” I asked with confusion, reaching for my phone that was plugged in next to the bed. Sure enough, it was eleven in the morning on Tuesday. “Have you seen Diesel?”

“No. I assume he’s handling shit at the Shed while Skeet’s off playing detective hitman,” he shrugged, and I dialed Diesel’s number to try and call him. No answer. “Is something wrong?”

“No. Well, yes,” I groaned, trying again but he still didn’t answer.

“That’s not really helpful, baby,” he huffed, taking the phone from my hands. “Stop. What’s wrong?”

“Yesterday was the anniversary of Sasha’s death,” I said softly, blowing out a breath. “And when I went to check on him, he was really drunk. He sort of kissed me.”

“Diesel kissed you? The woman hater?”

“He doesn’t hate women,” I scowled, trying to get my phone back. “He lost his soulmate and doesn’t want another one.”

“So why’s he kissing you?” He didn’t sound angry, just confused.

“I don’t know, but he wasn’t okay when I left him yesterday. Can you check on him?” I asked, and despite not looking happy about it, he nodded.

“I’ll try. Did you kiss him back?” he asked, and I swallowed, my silence giving him an answer. “Okay. We’ll sort through all of that later.”

“Don’t punch him or anything, please. He was really⁠—”

“I won’t. I promise,” he murmured, giving my hand a squeeze before handing my phone back. “Stay off your phone. Your brain needs rest.”

“You’re the best big brother ever,” I joked, and he gave me a sly smile.

“You’re too injured to play the step bro game, baby.”

“We’ll have to wait until we get home. I’ll get stuck in the washing machine or something.”

“As long as you show me where the laundry room is first. I don’t think I’ve ever been in there,” he said seriously. “You’ll be stuck for a while otherwise.”

I laughed, pain jolting through me from the movement. “Ouch.”

“Close your eyes. One of us will be with you at all times, so sleep more. Step bro’s orders.”

“There’s something wrong with us,” I murmured, making him chuckle as he leaned over to kiss my cheek.

“Oh, absolutely.”

The next two and a half weeks went by in a slow drag. When I was released from the hospital after a few days, Josie forced me into bed rest.

When she decided I was ready for school work, she made me do it from home, bringing everything I needed up to my bedroom so I didn’t have to tackle the stairs.

Skeeter visited on and off, but he was on a mission to find the asshole that had almost killed me. The car had been found burned out in Briar Falls, which was the next suburb south of Ashburn Valley, only fueling his fury more when the trail went cold.

Hunter broke in twice to see me at night, hanging out long enough to watch a movie before leaving again, and Diesel⁠—

Diesel didn’t even send a text to make sure I was still alive. It was complete radio silence, and Skeeter dodged me whenever I asked him about it.

It shouldn’t have, but it hurt to know he was actively avoiding me.

It was now Sunday, Christmas Eve, and the house smelled like baking with the sound of Christmas music playing quietly from downstairs. Josie was in her element again, like on Thanksgiving, and the house looked like Santa’s workshop had thrown up all over it.