Forgotten Sins (Sin Brothers, #1)(82)

“Not your fault.” He glanced at the end of the bed. “Hand me the chart, would you?”

She nodded, handing it to him. He flipped open the lid, quickly scanning the doctor’s notes. “I’m fine.” He grabbed the blankets to push away.

Josie’s hands on his stopped his movements. “Oh no, you don’t. You’re staying the night here. Period.” She squared her chin.

He lifted an eyebrow. “Says who?”

“Me and the doctor.”

Shane shook his head, and nausea welled inside his belly. What had they given him, anyway? “If I’m staying, so are you.” He tugged her onto the bed, scooting to the far side.

Those pretty blue eyes widened with temptation and need. Vulnerability shone through and pretty much broke his heart in two.

He sighed. The boy inside him who had once cried out in loneliness and confusion, wondering why he had to fight and die, now howled out with hope. Because of Josie Dean. For the two months of their marriage, he’d been whole for the first time in his life.

He loved his brothers completely and absolutely. Without question, he’d die for them. He’d killed for them, and he would again. But he was taking the chance on forever with Josie, even if he had to live apart from them. They loved him, and they’d understand.

He tightened his hold on hope. “This is your place, sweetheart. Take it.”

With a swallow, she nodded and slid into the bed. She snuggled into his good side, her breath on his shoulder. “I could sleep.”

He settled back down. “Did you talk to the police?”

Her yawn shook her entire body. “Yes. Malloy couldn’t wait to talk to me.”

“Malloy? What are we—his pet projects?” The cop seemed like a good guy. Shane didn’t want to have to hurt him.

“I guess.” Josie’s voice slurred with fatigue. “He really wants to know about the mystery man with you at the bar. I played dumb.”

“So long as we stick to the same story, we’re fine.” No way would he let Matt get caught up in the clusterf*ck Shane had made of his own life. They’d finally positioned Matt in Seattle, a safe place for his older brother. For now. The commander wanted Matt bad, and they all knew it. A memory shifted behind the drug haze in Shane’s brain. Jory. Something there. He tensed.

“What’s wrong?” Josie murmured.

“Nothing.” He couldn’t catch the thought. But it was there. Maybe when the drugs cleared, the last two years would finally come clear. He’d need to get Josie to safety before he went after the people who’d killed his brother. But he’d hunt them, without question.

He shifted his thoughts to allow his subconscious to take over. “Remember that hat you knitted me for Christmas?” His first homemade Christmas present, just like the families gave on television. Black and gray, she’d interwoven the strands into something guaranteed to keep him warm when they vacationed on the ski slopes.

She giggled. “Yes. I had to sneak and knit at night when you slept.”

He’d felt her leave the bed each night and had known why. “I still have it.”

Her shoulders stilled. “You do?”

“Yes. My hat, your picture, they’re in a safety-deposit box in California. The most important items I own.” He wanted that hat. Now. Wanted to feel the love and care she’d put into making it for him.

“That’s sweet.” Her voice thickened. “The necklace you gave me of the silver angel—I need to get it from my house.”

“We will.” He shouldn’t ask. He really shouldn’t. “Where’s your wedding ring?” His was safely with the hat.

“Same jewelry box.”

Well, at least she’d kept the ring. He had time later to talk her into sliding the stunning solitaire back on her finger. “Have you kept up the knitting?”

“Yes.” She smiled against his skin. “I opened a store on eBay and sell stuff sometimes.”

Pride. She was something. “I remember that was your dream. To drop the numbers and sell your creations.”

“It’s just a dream. Numbers pay the bills.”

“I have money, Josie.” A lot more than he ever expected to have. Nate was a financial genius at investing the profits from Sins Security—probably because he didn’t give a shit and was happy taking risks. “You can do anything you want in life. Live your dream.” With him. God, please let her stay with him.

“What about you, Shane? What’s your dream to live?”

He sighed. “You’re my dream, angel. Just you.” Her scent of wild berries filled his nostrils while she filled his heart. His soul. If he had one, it was hers. Made in test tubes, taught to kill, he’d often doubted the possibility. But with Josie cuddled into his side, he felt like he had a soul. Even if it bore stains, his soul existed.

Her breathing evened out as she slipped into sleep.

He closed his eyes and listened to her steady breathing. In the dim recesses of his brain, he cataloged the noises outside the room, down the hall, and outside the building. But for this one moment in time, peace settled his heart rate.

Familiar footsteps echoed down the hallway into his room. He opened his eyes, smirking at his brother. Matt had dressed in faded surgical scrubs and somehow had found a mustache and thick copper-rimmed glasses. “Doctor.”