I’d known this was coming. “Well, it was only a hundred meters.”
“I gave you a direct order.”
Oh hell no. “Is this the part where I remind you that I’m not one of your subjects?”
He expelled a long breath. “You just fought off an attacker, on palace grounds, lived to tell the tale, and judging by the abrasions on your knuckles, gave him some food for thought. So right now, I’m trying to be grateful. But I’m peeved, and we’re going to talk about this whole not-listening-to-sound-caution thing when you feel better.”
I groaned and tried to sit up again. “When can I go home?”
He sighed. “Other than some bruises, there’s not much wrong with you. They’ll keep you overnight for observation since you were in and out of consciousness, but they’ll probably discharge you in the morning.”
I wanted to argue, but he was right. I’d taken a risk for no good reason other than Breck had irritated me, and I’d been in no mood to talk to anyone. “Thanks, Wild. I appreciate it.”
He blinked his eyes. “I know you don’t take orders well, but you should have just listened.”
“I know. I should have. And I didn’t. My bad.”
When he spoke again, his voice was gentler. “Are you okay?” His frown set grooves in his handsome face. Again, he had that big brother vibe to him. I was unaccustomed to scolding.
“I guess I’ll be fine. You should see the other guy.”
The corners of his lips ticked up in a small smirk. “I hope you gave him the ass-kicking he deserved.”
“If I’d had more time, oh the damage I could have done.”
“Something tells me you had plenty of time and inflicted plenty of damage. But next time do me a favor; listen when I tell you to have someone walk you to your bloody car.”
“Next time I will listen. You don’t have to tell me twice.”
“Did you get a good look at him? Recognize him?”
I shook my head. “I have no idea why anyone would want to jump me. But I got the feeling he was waiting for me.”
“Do you always park there when you come to the palace?”
I shook my head. “No. I just took the open slot.”
“We’ll check the cameras. Breck’s on it now.”
I groaned. “Okay, but if you don’t mind, I’ll call Olly and see if he can have a look. Nikolai is here too. I’ll have him look as well.”
Wilder looked like he wanted to argue. “Look, I get it, you and Breck are like oil and water. Hell, I even understand why. My brother is a pain in the ass. And yes, he’s always been like that. But I promise you, he’s good at what he does.”
“So is my team.” I didn’t trust Breck as far as I could throw him, but just the mention of his name had my skin prickling. Why did he do that to me? It was the last thing I wanted, the last thing I needed. And why was it that the one brother who was obviously emotionally unavailable, a giant pain in the ass, and the worst kind of choice was always the one I was interested in? Not the handsome, stable, kind one.
I didn’t know why, but my body responded to the one who took playboy to a whole new meaning. “I appreciate it, Wild. Honestly, I do. And you didn’t have to do this. I’m okay.” But as the smile tried to take over, my cheek burned.
What was it about assholes? Did some asshole academy gather them at some unknown location and teach them all how to hit just right across the face? God, that stung. But I needed to show Wilder that I wasn’t in any kind of pain. Otherwise, he’d keep it up with the nursemaid routine. “Honestly, I could probably go home tonight.”
He lifted a brow. “You could. But I’d just insist that the only way that is going to happen is through me. And then, of course, well, you’d be forced to challenge me. And if you thought you could actually get through me, it would be a sight to behold.”
I sized him up. Fully healthy, I might not win in the challenge, but I could land some really good hits. But not like this… “Why challenge you? I just think it’s ridiculous. I really do feel fine.”
Lies.
“Uh-huh, fine. You realize you’ve been unconscious for the last hour?”
“Jesus.”
“Like the doctor said, it’s likely you’re fine, but they want to keep you for observation. I insist.”
The way he’d said that word insist made it sound like it was a command. He pushed to his feet and then took my hand and squeezed it. “I’m making you promise. If you were a citizen of Alden, I could prosecute you for disobeying me.”
I squeezed back and winced as his thumb accidentally rubbed one of my abraded knuckles. “Fine. Twist my arm, why don’t you?”
“I’ll do what I have to.”
He released me and then turned to go. But when he reached the door, I called out. “Hey, Wild?”
He turned with a tight smile. “Yes, Sparrow?”
“Thank you. You didn’t need to do all this, and I appreciate it.”
He gave me a slight nod. “As I said, you’re practically family now. So I’m taking this attack very, very, personally. We’ll figure out who the hell came for you.”
Chapter 3
Breck
…makes her stronger.
* * *
“You need to leave her be.”
I gritted my teeth and moved past my brother’s immense shoulders to get to Sparrow’s room.
Or at least I tried to. Wilder moved again, and I scowled at my younger brother.
“She’s sleeping, Breck. She needs rest.”
I snorted. “Like the Wicked Witch of the West could actually sleep? Knowing Feisty, she’s probably plotting my demise.”
Wild’s light blue eyes narrowed. “I don’t know what the hell is with the two of you, but she was hurt, on our grounds, under our watch. So we are going to figure out what the hell happened. To do that, you are going to put aside your cocksure attitude and get the job done.”
I lifted a brow. “A little overprotective of our sweet Sparrow, aren’t you?”
I didn’t know why a kernel of jealousy slid through me. It wasn’t as if I wanted her. Sure, she was hot as hell with her honey-toned skin, sinful curves that were all softness melded with strength and muscle, and long dark hair. But I didn’t want her.
Besides, it was hard to crave somebody when they constantly sneered at you and derided you for being a playboy piece of shit. To be fair, I had done my best to keep up that reputation, but I didn’t need Sparrow judging me for it. Enough people in my world judged me already.
“I’m going to need your help, Breck.”
It was unusual for Wilder to ask me for anything. I was the family fuck-up, as it were. “Sure, whatever you need. I’m just going to go check on her, okay?” I asked, not even sure why I wanted to do so. Sparrow wanted nothing to do with me, and had made that fact plainly clear. But I’d gotten used to her little scowls. I wondered if that expression could be kissed off.
What?
Not by me of course. Because… no. But she’d probably be in a much better mood if someone shagged her properly.