hrough fuckin’ hoops to get my approval, because over my dead body will I allow another man to harm you the way our father has.”
His eyes held a depth of emotion I rarely saw from him and I reached for his hand. “One of these days you’re going to realise you get more with honey than vinegar, Nash Walker. I love you for looking out for me, and I know we will never stop pissing each other off, but I need to tell you that if you were to share your heart more like you just did rather than getting all bossy and assholey, we’d get along so much better.”
His eyes softened. “Assholey fits me better, babe.”
I swatted him. “Ask Velvet what she thinks. I’m sure she’ll agree with me.”
He grinned the trademark Nash grin. “I’m sure I could persuade her not to.”
I shook my head. My brother always had a way of making me smile and forgive his annoying ways.
He put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. “If you won’t go home, I want you to put your head on my shoulder, close your eyes and get some sleep.” His eyes met mine and his grin was gone. “No arguments.”
“God, always so assholey,” I muttered, but I did as he said.
Weariness had claimed me and I knew I needed sleep, even if I didn’t want it.
“That’s because you’re always so damn argumentative. I bet Havoc would agree with me on that.”
I smiled.
He was softening; it would just take him some time to admit it.
* * *
Voices pulled me from a deep sleep and I blinked as I straightened.
“I’m Havoc’s sister, Yvette.”
I squinted. The sun streamed through the window of the waiting area straight into my eyes, obstructing my view of the woman speaking.
Nash removed his arm from my shoulders and stood. Extending his hand to her, he said, “Nash. We were wondering where you were.”
Yvette grimaced. “My phone battery died and I wasn’t at home to charge it. Worst timing.” She looked in the direction of the ICU before turning back to us. “Is he awake? And what the hell happened? I couldn’t really make out too much in your message except for the fact he was here.”
I could see Havoc in her. And not only in her facial features, but also in her cut-to-the-chase manner. She also looked like the kind of woman who could take care of herself. Her body was packed with muscle that looked like it took hours in the gym to build. Just like Havoc. And she appeared to be a no-fuss woman. Her clothes were not feminine at all, jeans and a T-shirt, and her hair was cut in a short style that wouldn’t require much effort in the morning.
Nash relayed what had happened while I stretched and drank some water. I watched while he explained it all to her and while concern shone in her eyes, she didn’t appear to be surprised. I wondered how often Havoc had gotten himself into trouble over the years.
After Nash filled her in, she turned to me. “You must be Havoc’s new woman.”
“He’s told you about me?” I was surprised.
She shook her head. “No, my brother doesn’t share shit easily, but I picked it.”
Something about what she’d said caused my tummy to flutter. I loved that his sister could sense that he had a woman.
I extended my hand. “I’m Carla. Nash’s sister.”
As she shook my hand, she said, “Good to meet you. Promise me you’ll pull my brother into line.”
I raised a brow. “I’m not sure he’s the kind of man to be pulled into line.”
“You might be surprised. I know he’s a force of nature, but something tells me you might just have a shot.”
If he survives.
A wave of worry hit me all over again.