Cocky Secrets (Cocker Brothers #29)

40. Jett

FORTY

Jett

F or the next few days, I eat here in the room, watching her face and listening to the machine that’s breathing for her. The nurses brought me in a cot to sleep on. Every two hours when they come in, and it’s the same thing — they apologize for waking me and I tell them I wasn’t sleeping.

My brothers check on me during this time. Scratch tells me the story hit the Los Angeles Times: Who Are Your Neighbors Really?

The journalist left out the part about the Ciphers.

Fine by us.

We don’t want publicity.

Let the cops take the win. They sure fucking need one.

On day three, I hear the door open and at the sound of many heavy boots, I glance over to see all four Ciphers have come.

I blink at their determined expressions.

Fuse, Honey Badger and Tonk all cross their arms, and I notice their jackets are clean now. Fuse’s shoulder has the hole in it. He plans to leave it that way.

Scratch stands in front of them. “Time for a fuckin’ shower and some real sleep.”

“No.” I turn back to her.

A great force pulls me up from the chair and I fight off Tonk and Scratch.

“FUCKIN’ PUT ME DOWN!” Despite my exhaustion, I break my right arm free and punch Honey Badger as he moves in from the front to help.

He punches me in the gut and I double over. “JETT, GO TAKE A MOTHERFUCKIN’ SHOWER.”

Panting with Tonk and Scratch holding onto my arms, I glare at them. “What are you, my mothers?”

Fuse levels on me, leaning in. “You smell like shit. If she can smell, you aren’t doin’ her any favors by bein’ here like this.”

I hear the logic. But I don’t like it. Snarling, I tell them, “Let me go.”

“You gonna be a good boy?” Scratch asks.

I cut my eyes to him and see the smile in his.

“Fuck you. Fine.” Releasing me, they throw me my jacket. “Who’s stayin’ with her?”

“I will,” Tonk says. His eyes say I can trust him.

“Fine.” To the room, I growl, “Give me a minute alone with her.” They file out. Fuckin’ assholes.

I’ve been obsessed. Somewhere deep inside I know it, but the thought of leaving her alone is fuckin’ killing me.

But they’re right. I’m a mess. I’m no good to her like this. “Sunshine,” I say as I walk to her side and feel a lump forming in my damn throat. “Remember how I said it was okay to leave? Well, not yet. If you fuckin’ clock out while I’m gone, I will hunt you down in heaven and make you pay for that shit.” I lean over with tears in my eyes. “I mean it. Don’t leave yet. I’ll be back. Tonk’s gonna watch over you. Don’t you fuckin’ leave.” Kissing her cheek, I hold there. It takes every ounce of willpower I have to walk away.