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Frowning, Olivia nudged the tray of food back toward Shannon. “Don’t be silly. We want you to be comfortable.”
“Really, Liv. It’s just for a day or two, so I’ll be fine.”
Bryant snorted disbelievingly from the corner he’d planted himself in. “The only way it’s going to be a day or two is if you have some superhuman healing powers you’ve neglected to clue us in on,andthe cops somehow manage to catch this guy in the next forty-eight hours. You’re with them until he’s caught and you’re back to one hundred percent.”
The corner of Shannon’s lip curled up in an impressive snarl. “You are not the boss of me, Bryant Monroe.”
“Maybe not, but you’re still going to listen to me. I’m trying to keep you alive, goddammit.”
“You think I want to die?” Shannon’s voice, still rough from having their would-be murderer’s hands wrapped around her throat, rose sharply.
“I think you don’t seem too interested in helping us keep you alive,” Bryant shot back.
Before anyone could get another word in, Shannon snagged the cup of pudding from her dinner tray and hurled it at him. Unfortunately, her aim was horrible and the pudding hit the wall behind him, exploding in a shower of chocolate.
A nurse came rushing in moments later. “What is going on in here?” She looked over at Bryant, then at the chocolate dripping down the wall behind him. With a resigned sigh, she shook her head. “All right. That’s enough excitement for one night. You all need to go home now.”
“But—” Olivia’s protests were cut off by James squeezing the back of her neck. As much as she wanted to argue, she knew that signal well enough and she had no desire to earn a spanking on top of all the other bullshit they were dealing with.
“Go on, Liv. I’m tired anyway.” Shannon offered a forced smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“We’ll be here.” Giving her friend’s hand one last squeeze, she forced a smile of her own. “I promise not to bring Bryant.”
Closing her eyes, Shannon lay back against the pillows and laughed. “Good luck with that.”
After James and Bryant each said their goodbyes, the trio was ushered out of the room by Shannon’s harried nurse. They walked to the parking deck in silence, each lost in their own thoughts and worries.
“Bryant,” James began when they reached Bryant’s car. “Would you like to come over for a bit?”
The casual tone was almost too casual, and Olivia narrowed her eyes at him. What were they up to?
The slight curve of Bryant’s lip just confirmed her suspicions that they were planning something behind her back. “Yeah. I’ll meet you there.”
“What’s going on?” she asked, looking from one brother to the other.
Bryant’s only answer was to lean down and brush his lips across her cheek. “See you in a bit, brat.”
Slipping an arm around her waist, James guided her to his SUV. Unsatisfied with Bryant’s non-answer, she looked up at her husband. “James, what are you up to?”
“You’ll see.” Opening the passenger side door, he nudged her inside.
“That’s not an answer, James!” Anger began to override her curiosity. “Tell me what’s going on, right now.”
“No.” The refusal was delivered in a perfectly calm, even voice, but she heard the authority ringing in that single syllable. “You do not make the demands, little girl. I do. You’ve just earned yourself a loss of speaking privileges until we get home.”
“That’s not fair!”
“And that’s three. Want to try for more?” He cocked an eyebrow, practically daring her to speak again.
It had been so long since he’d used this particular punishment, she’d nearly forgotten how it worked. But it came rushing back to her then. One swat with the paddle for every word she spoke while under restriction. And she would have to take each stroke in perfect silence, or it didn’t count. Unwilling to risk adding to her punishment, she silently shook her head.
“Good girl. I think you’ll enjoy what Daddy has in mind when we get home.” With a wink, he shut the car door. Biting back the dozens of questions dancing in her mind, she folded her hands in her lap and faced forward.
They rode the first five minutes to the house in complete silence before he spoke. “You’re being such a good girl, Livvy. Would you like to know what Daddy and Bryant are planning tonight? Nod if you do.”
Nodding, she shifted to face him.
“You’re so stressed, little one.” Glancing over at her, he lifted a hand to stroke her cheek. “And it’s been a while since we all played together. I thought you could use a night of distraction. Sound good so far?”
