Piece by Piece (The Riggins Brothers #2) - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,83

continued to film her in her apartment. When she moved here with me, they lost track of her. That is until the picture from the Gala made the news. That’s how they found her. I led them to her, and that’s something I will never forgive myself for.

The only saving grace is they never showed her face. Their video of the time at our house, which they’d plan to later upload, was evidence enough. However, the idiots had the camera rolling when they were in the car. They discussed what they had been doing, and how the plan was to extort a million dollars from my family and me and still sell the video. Their stupidity sealed their fate.

It’s a good thing.

The two of them behind bars is the only thing keeping me from killing them both. Well, and the fact I refuse to leave her side. I want to be here when she wakes up.

“How’s she doing?”

I look up to find Royce standing next to me. I didn’t even hear him come in. “No change, really. She’s woken up a few times, only to fall right back to sleep. They’re telling me it’s normal. The hits to her face were severe, as is her concussion. Sleep is what her body needs to heal.” At least that’s what the doctors and nurses tell me every time I ask about her waking up.

“Here.” He hands me the small black box I asked him to stop by my place and pick up.

“Thanks, man.”

“Anytime.”

“Knock, knock,” Sawyer whispers, pushing open the door. She glances at Layla, and her face drops. She doesn’t stop until she’s standing right in front of me. She bends and wraps her arms around me in a hug, and I have to battle with the emotion that clogs my throat. “We’re here for you. Both of you,” she whispers.

“Thanks, sis. I’m good. I just need her to wake up.”

“She will,” Sawyer says, stepping into Royce’s arms. “She needs time to heal.”

“Can she come back from this?” I ask them.

“She’s strong,” Sawyer tells me. “So damn strong. She’s going to need you, but yeah, she can come back from this.”

“I can’t take her back to that house. I can’t make her live there.”

“You can stay with us.”

“Thanks.” I nod. “Mom and Dad offered too.”

“Whatever you need,” Royce states. His hand on my shoulder tightens, giving me his support. “We’re going to head out. Mom and Dad are on their way, and Con, Grant, and Marsh are in the waiting room.”

“Thanks for this.” I hold up the ring box. Royce nods.

Sawyer gives me another hug before turning and leaning in to kiss Layla on the cheek. “He needs you,” she whispers. “Get better soon.”

Fuck me. Hot tears prick my eyes, but I push them back. Not seconds after they leave, my other three brothers come walking into the room. “We’re here, brother,” Grant says solemnly. He gives me a hug, and the other two do the same. Every day I’ve sat here with my girl, my family has been here multiple times to visit and offer their support.

She’s here in this bed because she was protecting my family and me. We all know that, and the fact is, they loved her before all of this, now she’s one of us regardless of whether or not we’re together. However, we’re going to be together. That little black box in my pocket ensures that.

I’m not giving up until this woman agrees to marry me and has my last name.

“You need anything?” Marshall asks.

He’s taking it the hardest. He blames himself for letting her leave the office. He had no way of knowing what was going to happen. He isn’t to blame, and I’ve been telling him that. If anything, I owe him for his quick thinking and getting me to the house as fast as he did. He called in the Riggins cavalry. I don’t think he’s going to let the guilt go anytime soon. Maybe when Layla wakes up, she can convince him.

“No. You’ve done enough. You brought me to her.”

“Not soon enough, brother,” he says sadly.

“This isn’t on you, Marsh,” I tell him. He nods, but I can see in his eyes he’s blaming himself, no matter what I say about it.

“We’re going to get out of here. Mom is pacing out there to get in here and see the two of you.” Grant grins.

“They were here earlier today.”

“You know, Mom. She’s a worrywart when one of her kids is hurting. This