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“Did you really think he was going to pass on this?” Chuckling at her exasperated sigh, he swung her hand up and back in hopes of helping her calm down. “It’s all right, Livvy.”
“She’s supposed to stay calm. He doesn’t keep her calm, he stresses her out.”
It was a good point. “I’ll talk to him.”
They’d reached Shannon’s room by then, and Olivia dropped his hand to rush to the bed. “Ready to get out of here, lazy bones?”
Shannon, who looked a million times better now that she’d had a chance to shower and dress, rolled her eyes. “I’ve been ready, but these people won’t let me leave!” Her voice rose to a shout by the end.
Bryant crossed his arms and James just managed to hold back a sigh. It was going to be a long few days. Before Bryant could lecture, or whatever else he had in mind, James clapped him on the shoulder and pushed him toward the door. “Let’s get some air.”
“I don’t need air,” Bryant grumbled, but he followed along all the same.
“Me neither. But the girls need some space.” James waited until they’d reached the end of the hall to speak again. “I told Livvy I’d talk to you. About Shannon.”
“What about her?”
“You’re stressing her out. And since she’s already stressed, she doesn’t need you adding to it. So just, maybe dial back the Daddy-mode a bit, okay?”
Bryant’s eyes narrowed. “I am not in ‘Daddy-mode.’”
“Bullshit. I’ve never seen you be this protective of anyone, not even Liv, and you know it.”
“Fuck.” Scrubbing a hand over his face, Bryant turned and paced away, then back. “She gets under my skin, man. And I’m worried about both of them.”
“You think I’m not?”
“No. I know you are. And I don’t want to say it’s easier for you. But at least you can just paddle Liv’s ass if she breaks the rules.”
Since his brother’s thoughts mirrored his own from earlier, James grinned and threw an arm around Bryant’s shoulder. “That does give me an advantage. But Shannon is smart, and I think this whole business scared the shit out of her. Hopefully enough for her to follow the rules without either of us threatening to whip her ass.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Look, why don’t you go on ahead of us to the house and make sure everything is set up. We’ll call when we’re leaving here.”
It was clear he didn’t want to go, but he eventually caved with a short, sharp nod. Rolling his eyes at his brother’s retreating back, James took a moment to consider his strategy before rejoining the girls in Shannon’s room.
Relieved to find Shannon’s scowl had been replaced by a bright, if somewhat tired smile, James approached the bed. “How are you feeling, Shannon?”
“Tired of being in bed.” Though her eyes had lost some of their sparkle, a familiar mischief filled them when she tilted her head to study him. “Come to lay down the law, Mr. Sexy?”
Beside her, Olivia’s eyes widened, but she didn’t protest. After sending his girl a reassuring wink, he turned back to Shannon. “As a matter of fact, that’s exactly why I’m here. I am more than happy to have you stay with us as you recover, but while you’re there, you will do as you’re told.”
The mischief in her eyes faded and she wrinkled her nose in a way that reminded him of Olivia when he’d given her a rule that wasn’t to her liking. “Like what?”
“Mostly following the doctor’s orders. And I don’t want either of you leaving the house alone, even if it’s just for a walk around the block.”
“But we have cops watching us constantly!” Shannon protested, her voice rising to a whine he hadn’t heard from her in years. Not since she’d suddenly stopped attending play parties.
“And there’s no need to make their jobs any harder than they already are.” Seeing the struggle on her face, he softened. “I’m not trying to be an asshole, Shannon. I just want you both to be safe. You mean a lot to me and to Liv.”
Olivia slipped her hand into Shannon’s. “Please, Shay. He wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t important.”
“I know.” With a long, heavy sigh, Shannon nodded. “All right. I’ll be a good girl.”
“Do I have your consent to enforce the rules we just discussed?”
Another exaggeratedly put upon sigh. “Yeah, I guess.”
