Sins of the Innocent - Jamie McGuire Page 0,41

fileted you,” Mom said. She turned to look at Levi, who was being doctored on the other side of the kitchen.

“Is she okay?” Levi asked.

“I will kill you myself,” Mom seethed.

“Mom, stop.” I held my breath as Claire worked. “We were sparring. It was a fair fight.”

Levi’s brows pulled together, and he tried to stand. “Let me see her.”

Dad and Bex held him down.

“Hang on,” Dad said. “Let’s get this wound closed up before your guts spill out.”

“What?” I said, looking over at him.

Levi laughed once, clearly in pain. “It’s fine. He’s exaggerating.”

“No, he’s not,” Ryan said from the doorway, his arms crossed.

I could tell by his expression that he was telling the truth.

“He’s not fine or Dad’s not exaggerating?” I asked.

“Both,” Ryan said.

I sat up.

“Eden!” Mom yelled.

“He’s fine!” Bex said around the strip of tape hanging from his mouth. He was working fast.

I lay back, shaking my head. “This was a bad idea. We could have killed each other.”

“We wouldn’t have let it go that far,” Claire said. “We need him alive for Bex, remember?”

“I’m not feeling the love,” Levi said.

“You let it go pretty far,” Mom snapped at Claire.

“We had to see her limit. I’m not sure we’ve seen it. She could have beaten him.”

“I heard that,” Levi yelled.

“But she needs more practice,” Claire said. “He’s right. She’s slow on the return, and she needs to work on anticipation. She’s not intercepting like she should.” She looked down at me. “But you’ll get there. I’m impressed.”

I smiled, and Claire brushed back my sweat-saturated hair from my face.

“Don’t get blood on the curtains!” Grandmother scolded, holding up plastic against the windows next to Levi.

“He’s not in any shape to go home alone,” I said.

“He won’t be alone,” Bex said.

“They’re sending groups to attack,” I said. “Bex will need backup.”

“He can stay here,” Mom said.

“In whatever room is farthest away from yours,” Dad said without humor.

Once Mom and Claire finished patching me up, Claire helped me to my feet. Dad and Bex were still working on Levi. He was lying patiently, happy to see me upright.

“Dad?” I asked.

“His abdomen was tricky. I would have taken him to the hospital if I wasn’t sure we’d all be arrested. I could explain a bullet wound better than something like this.”

“He looks like he’s been in combat,” Ryan said.

“You okay?” Claire asked, readjusting my arm around her neck. “Any flashbacks?”

Ryan shook his head. “I’m okay.”

“Levi will be all right,” Dad said. “Working on the smaller stuff now.”

“C’mon, kiddo,” Claire said. “Let’s get you to bed. You need to rest.”

“I’ll see you later,” Levi said, watching me shuffle out of the kitchen.

Mom and Claire helped me climb the stairs one agonizing step at a time. I’d never been so injured, and I wasn’t sure the extent of Levi’s wounds. My instincts had taken over, and my memory of the entire match was hazy.

Claire picked me up and lowered me to my queen bed, propping my head with a pillow.

“I’m not helpless,” I said.

“I don’t want you reopening that wound.”

“Did you put some plastic beneath?” Grandmother said from the doorway. “She’ll seep and ruin the linens.”

“Cynthia!” Mom snapped. “For God’s sake.”

“She’s just worried, Mom.”

Claire went into the bathroom and turned on the faucet before returning with a wet rag. She folded it into quarters and then laid it across my forehead. “You did good. You’ve been holding way back with me. I’m jealous.”

Grandmother brought a glass of water, helping me to take a sip.

“You guys are making me feel like I’m dying.”

“Well, you’re not,” Grandmother said. “You’re just dehydrated. Besides, you’re not allowed to die—not on these sheets.”

I breathed out a laugh. “Thank you.”

She touched my cheek. “Rest. I’ll make you something delicious for dinner.”

I nodded, and she stood, leaving without another word.

“Cynthia thinks a gourmet meal can fix anything,” Claire said.

“It can.” I grunted as I tried to sit up higher.

“Here. Let me help,” Claire said.

“I’m really fine.”

“No, in an hour, you’ll be fine. For right now, you need to give yourself time to heal, or it will take longer.”

Mom pulled off her gloves and blew her bangs from her eyes. “All right. Your cell is on the nightstand. Text if you need anything.” She walked over to place a small kiss on my nose and then held the door opened, waiting for Claire.

“Oh, I guess that means I should leave.”

“She needs rest,” Mom said, her tone final.

Claire raised her brows. “See you in a bit.” She fake-punched my arm and then stood up,