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“Sorry, but I’m not built for prison life.” Katie snorts. “But I’ll provide y’all with an alibi to keep you out of jail.”

“Oh my God, you guys. Poor Scarlett. She’d have to come live with me.”

“Never mind, I take it back.” Gemma laughs.

I look around the room, grateful and happy to be alive. I’m lucky to be surrounded by so many people who love me. With all that being said, once I’m better, I’ll find out who did this.

After an hour, my body grows tired, and Katie notices. It wasn’t that long ago when she was in the hospital after being kidnapped. “We’re gonna let you get some rest.”

They take their time telling me goodbye before they leave. Then finally, it’s just Archer and me.

“You can go if you want,” I tell him, not wanting him to feel forced to stay. “You look exhausted.”

“I’m not going anywhere, Everleigh.”

My heart flutters. “Thank you.”

He adjusts my pillow. “You really do need to get some rest, though.”

“Will you lie with me?”

A smirk hits his lips. “What do you think the nurse will say when she walks in and sees us?”

“She better mind her own damn business,” I say matter-of-factly, patting the space beside me.

Archer hesitates but doesn’t make me beg. He gently lies on the mattress and carefully loops his arm around my shoulders. The weight of him feels like home, and I let out a contented sigh. “You’re exactly what I’ve been missing.”

He chuckles in my ear, and the warmth of his breath brushes against my neck. “Me too.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

ARCHER

I've beenat the hospital with Everleigh for the past four days, sleeping in a chair that’s as hard as pavement. Then again, I would’ve slept on the floor if it meant being close to her.

Tyler’s been suspicious of my protective behavior since this happened. Regardless, I can’t bear to be away from her for too long, especially after almost losing her. Having her blood on my hands as she slipped in and out of consciousness has been a total mind fuck.

The last time I was this worried was the night I got arrested. I’d do anything to protect my sister, and I feel the same about Everleigh. She didn’t deserve this, and I hope to God that I’m not the cause of it, but I could be. Lexie’s words have been playing on repeat along with what that crazed woman said that night—what do you have that I don’t?

Yesterday, while Everleigh was resting, I went home and installed motion-activated security cameras around the house. Each corner has one along with a brand-new doorbell cam.

I don’t know what else that woman is planning, but I’m not willing to take any more chances.

“You’d think they would’ve already brought the discharge papers so I can leave.” Everleigh groans as she flips through TV channels. She’s growing impatient and has been since the doctor said she’d be released today.

“I know,” Tyler agrees. “Are you sure you don’t need me to take you home?”

“No. My car is more comfortable. Archer can drive it,” she tells him with a smirk.

“Okay, okay,” he says. When Tyler heard Everleigh would get to leave today, he left work and came up here. He’s offered her tons of support while she’s been in the hospital and even kept her company while I went home yesterday.

“The next time I’m at a hospital, it better be because Gemma is giving me another niece or nephew,” she says matter-of-factly.

Tyler shakes his head. “I’m trying! Trust me! Gotta let my little fellas do their job.”

Everleigh pretends to throw up in her mouth. “Please don’t talk about your little…nope, no. Just make it happen.Withoutthe details, please.”

I chuckle, loving their dynamic. While Tyler is a protective hard-ass most of the time, it’s also obvious he cares about his sister. After this scare, we’ve all grown closer.

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