The Cursed Series, Parts 3 & 4 (Cursed #3-4) - Rebecca Donovan Page 0,78

treated, no matter what. But I also don’t feel like arguing. I lift my sweatshirt along with the tank top underneath.

“Shit,” Lance breathes out.

Parker’s face hardens, and Joey looks like he’s in as much pain as I feel, especially when I adjust so they can see the bruise on my side too.

“What the hell happened to you?” Niall booms, walking into the room.

I quickly pull down my shirt. “What are you doing here?” I mean, I know he lives here. But shouldn’t he be in court, or at his office, or anywhere but here?

“I called him,” Joey confesses, avoiding my what-the-hell glare. “He needs to know what’s happening, Lana. He can protect you, especially if Nina decides to press charges.”

“She won’t,” I protest. “If she wanted me to get taken in, she wouldn’t have told me to go when we heard the police coming.”

“But what about her family? Or a witness? Police are going to ask questions,” Joey argues. Someone’s been working with his father too much this summer.

Niall assesses the room—me propped up on the bed. Joey standing next to me like a sentry. Lance and Parker seated at the foot of the bed, Parker’s hand cupping my foot. “I need to speak with Lana—alone.” None of them are bold enough to defy him verbally, but they don’t make a single motion to move either. Niall exhales in the way that he does, letting us know that he’s not happy, but he’s not going to fight it either. “Tell me what happened. All of it.”

My eyes search each of the brother’s faces; they nod encouragingly.

“There was someone in my house when I went to get my mother’s medication. It doesn’t look like he took anything, but he may have done something to her meds.”

Niall’s eyes tighten, but otherwise, his face remains emotionless.

“Anyway, he kicked me to escape. And Parker wasn’t able to catch him before he jumped a neighbor’s fence.”

Niall directs his attention to Parker. “Did you get a look at him?”

To my surprise, Parker shakes his head. I wasn’t sure if they were going to go along with my decision not to name Vic … again. Or maybe he’s not technically lying because he really didn’t see his face.

“And then you assaulted Nina?” Niall inquires. “I thought she was a friend.”

“Exactly. Was.” I lower my eyes and absently pick at a fingernail. “She …”

“Nina thought Lana and I were together. It was a misunderstanding. She got jealous and, um, went after Lana,” Parker finishes when words fail me.

“Wait. They were fighting over you?” Lance clarifies, chuckling.

We all scowl at him, and he sweeps his gaze to the side, sealing his mouth shut.

Niall rolls his eyes up to the ceiling and shakes his head. “We’ve talked about this.” I’m not sure who he’s addressing until he focuses his attention on Parker.

“I know,” Parker says, clearing his throat. “It’s my fault. I wasn’t clear like you’d told me to be. And you’re right; it came back and kicked me in the ass.”

“Or Lana’s,” Lance interjects.

“Do I need to ask you to leave?” Niall admonishes Lance.

His youngest son bows his head like a scolded puppy. I bite the inside of my lip to keep from smiling. He’s practically pouting.

“How bad is it?” Niall asks, sobering me instantly.

I swallow before answering, “I stabbed her.” I watch for a reaction, but he waits calmly for more. “I didn’t mean to. But she pulled a knife. I tried to get her to drop it, but she wouldn’t let go, and … it went into her.”

Niall breathes in deeply through his nose, contemplating. “You were defending yourself. You’re not at fault.”

I actually didn’t consider that. Guilt overrode any legal implications.

“Where’s the knife now?”

“In my pants pocket.”

“You took it with you?” Niall asks in a tone I can’t read. But it’s not an approving one.

“Was I … not supposed to?” I look among the brothers again, but they’re not any help with their shrugs and clueless expressions.

“And where are your pants?”

“In your bathroom.”

His eyes flash to the closed door. “Leave them there. I’ll reach out to see if an investigation has been opened and whether she’s cooperating.”

“Can you find out if she’s okay?” I practically beg, my voice cracking.

Niall’s stern blue eyes soften. “I’ll see what I can do. In the meantime, I’d like you to get checked out by a doctor. I can have one come to the house. I want to be sure there isn’t any serious damage or internal injuries. Those bruises concern