Jack (Eidolon Black Ops #8) - Maddie Wade Page 0,61
have Aubrey.”
“Yeah, but she’s mean to me.”
Aubrey glared at Will. “Um, excuse me?”
“You took my red lace candy away.” Will pouted, and Jack laughed.
“Good for you, Aubrey.” He held up his fist, and she bumped it with a smile. “You need to start eating like a grown up.”
“Oh please, I’ve seen the sour Haribo’s in your drawer at Eidolon.”
“Boys, please. Let’s agree you’re both awesome and leave it at that, shall we? And for the record, if I didn’t love you, William Granger, I wouldn’t give a shit what you ate, so stop being a baby.”
Jack smirked at his brother who glowered at him and mouthed. “See what you did?”
Jack kept quiet, not really wanting to cause a fight and just letting the banter take away the tension of not knowing what was happening with his mother. He knew Will was doing the same.
“How are Valentina and Rafe fitting into Eidolon?” Aubrey asked as she linked her fingers with Will’s and his brother kissed her shoulder, the love between them deep and strong.
“Good, they’ve settled in well. It wasn’t easy letting a new person into the team, let alone two, but I have good recommendations on both, and they work so well together. The dogs are amazing and a massive bonus for what we can achieve in such a short time.”
“How many dogs do you have now?”
“Six. Ajax and Diablo are German Shepherds, Loki and Tiny are Bernese Mountain dogs. Buddy is a Cocker Spaniel, and Ziggy is a Malinois. I’m actually going to see if I can get Val and Rafe to teach the rest of the team how to work with the dogs too.”
Aubrey grinned. “I’d be up for that as well if it’s possible.”
“Me too. I love dogs.”
Jack squeezed Astrid’s hand that hadn’t left his. “You don’t need an excuse to come and see me at work, firefly. We talked about this, and you’re welcome to come to see me at any time.”
Astrid swatted his arm. “Arrogant jerk and it wasn’t an excuse. I’d love to work with them. Roz is thinking of getting some for Zenobi.”
“Then I’ll make it happen.”
“I knew you would.”
He felt his blood heat with desire for her when she smiled at him as if he could fix anything in the world with just his will alone. Astrid always believed in him and never failed to show it or have his back. Even when it was someone teasing as Aubrey had been, she’d still stood up for him and he loved her for it.
“Mr Granger?”
Jack and Will stood with the women they loved by their sides as a doctor called them through and asked them to take a seat in what was he knew a relative’s room and, in his mind, it didn’t bode well.
Astrid linked her fingers with his, and he was grateful to have her with him. “How is she?”
The doctor who was around his age clicked a button on a computer and faced the four of them. “She’s suffered what we call a TIA or Transient Ischaemic Attack. It has resolved itself, but she will need to make some changes in her lifestyle and cut down on stress. We want to keep her for a few days just to run some more tests and make sure, but right now she’s awake and asking to see you all, but it needs to be two at a time.” The five of them stood as one. “She’ll be moved onto a ward as soon as we can find her a bed.”
“Thank you, doctor.”
Jack thrust out his hand, and the doctor shook it with a nod. “You’re welcome.”
Astrid rubbed Jack’s arm, offering comfort. “How about Aubrey and I go and get coffee, and you come to find us when you’re ready?”
“That sounds good but stay inside the hospital. I don’t want you wandering around outside in the middle of the night.”
Astrid went on tiptoes and kissed him lightly, her lips soft against his. “Bossy.”
“I love you.”
“Now you’re not playing fair.”
Jack chuckled. “But it’s true, I do.”
“I know. Which is why I’ll do as you ask—this time.”
He gave her a wink and watched her and Aubrey walk down the corridor towards the all-night coffee shop.
He and Will walked through the double doors to the accident and emergency bays and looked around until his eyes found his mother. Relief came over his face when he saw her sitting up in bed, looking tired but alive. Anything else he could face but not losing his mother, not