Defending Everly (Mountain Mercenaries, #5)(60)

Ignoring the twinge of pain in his side, Ball signed to Elise, I’m okay.

Her hands moved so fast there was no way Ball could possibly translate, but of course, Everly was right there. “She says that she was so worried. That you should’ve ducked or moved faster or something. She’s mad at you, but also relieved that you’re okay. She’s ordering you to never be hurt again.”

Ball smiled and brushed a lock of hair behind Elise’s ear. I will do my best, he finger spelled slowly.

Elise nodded and hugged him once more, this time a bit more carefully. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Gray greeting Allye. She was giving him the same third degree that he’d just received from Elise.

Everly’s hand was still resting on the small of his back, and he’d never felt anything better. It wasn’t a sexual touch, but he could still feel the emotion emanating from her. The second Elise stepped away, he turned to Everly.

Without a word, he gathered her into his arms and closed his eyes as he breathed out a huge sigh. This was what he needed. He hadn’t had time to register the pain in his side in the heat of the moment. He’d been too concerned about making sure the little girl they’d been sent to rescue was safe. Then he’d been worried about getting her out of there without the rest of the neighborhood breaking out into a riot. Then he’d done his best to reassure and calm her during the flight.

Between his side, Gray’s head, and trying to placate the toddler, the trip home on the plane hadn’t been a relaxing time to decompress, as it sometimes was. Arrow had cleaned and bandaged his wound, reassuring him that it wasn’t serious. Gray’s concussion was slight, and he’d be fine after a day or so of rest.

But putting his arms around Everly seemed to be exactly what he needed to allow his body to shut down. Suddenly, he was exhausted. He wanted nothing more than to collapse in a heap . . .

preferably on a comfortable mattress instead of the crap beds they’d been making do with over the last few days.

“You’re more than welcome to stay here,” Allye said from next to them.

Ball picked up his head and saw Gray and Allye standing with their arms around each other, sides plastered together. Gray narrowed his eyes and shook his head slightly. Ball laughed.

“Thanks, Allye, I appreciate it. But if it’s all the same to you, I think I’ll crash in my own bed tonight.”

“Offer’s always open,” Allye said.

“I know. Thanks.” Ball nodded at Gray when his friend mouthed, “Thank you.”

“I know it’s the middle of the night, but think you could drive me home?” Ball asked Everly. “I came here with Gray, and my car’s back at my place.”

“Of course.” She turned to Elise and signed, We’re going to bring Ball home. Go change out of your pj’s and pack our things. And don’t forget our phones. Oh, and anything you’ve got in the bathroom.

Elise nodded and rushed from the hallway to head down the stairs.

“Are you okay?” Everly asked Gray.

“Yeah. Just a little knock on the head.”

She hesitated, then asked, “And the mission was successful?”

“Yep. There’s a little two-year-old who’s probably completely zonked out in her mother’s arms tonight.”

“Thank God,” Allye breathed, and Ball didn’t miss how her hand protectively rested on her belly as she said it.

“That’s good,” Everly said.

“Yeah,” Gray agreed.

“Thank you for bringing Ball here,” she added.

Gray chuckled. “As if I had a choice. The second he heard this was where you were, he demanded I hurry my ass up and drive faster.”

Ball liked the blush that bloomed on Everly’s cheeks.

“You shouldn’t have been driving,” Allye scolded. “I could’ve come and picked you both up.”

Gray shook his head. “Kitten, it’s two in the morning. There’s no way I was going to have my pregnant fiancée drive all the way to the airport to pick me up.”

“I’m not pregnant. I could’ve done it,” Everly added.

“Not happening,” Ball said.

Allye and Everly both rolled their eyes, and seeing it made every ache and pain in Ball’s body fade away. He hated comparing Everly with Holly, even in his head, but damn, his ex wouldn’t even bring him a damn pain pill from the other room if he asked.

They all heard Elise’s feet pounding back up the stairs and turned to see her bounce into the room, two large flowery bags over her shoulders. She immediately looked in their direction, as if she was afraid they might have somehow disappeared in the few minutes she’d been gone.

Did you get everything? Everly asked.

Elise rolled her eyes exactly like her sister had moments before, and nodded.

“If I find anything, I’ll put it aside until you’re up here next, or I’ll arrange to get it to you,”

Allye said.

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

Ball didn’t want to take his hands off the woman by his side, but forced himself to let go. He reached for one of the bags on Elise’s shoulders, but she jerked away from him.

No! she signed. You’re hurt. I’ve got them.

Once again, a memory flashed in his head. It wasn’t too long after he’d been discharged. He was still in a sling, and he hadn’t started physical therapy for his shoulder yet. He was taking Holly out to try to . . . Well, he wasn’t sure what he was trying to do. Save their relationship, he supposed, which was stupid because it was obvious now that he’d been the only one trying.