Chapter 18

Go on, tough guy. More of your blood is required for the little woman. She is fainting as a result.

Well, I already given her more than she deserved.

The doctor scowled. “You can give a little more because you’re a large, dominant dude,”

Lelandi hoped she could speak and answer more easily since she so badly wanted to laugh aloud at Jake’s expression. More than just displeased. She would get blood from him, and it was all spewing fire.

Good. She might feel more energized as a result.

Darien entered Larissa’s room after getting some rest and feeling a little better. When he saw his brother giving her blood once more, he immediately came to a complete halt. What the hell is happening?

Jake gave him a scowl. “When you were last here, you could have given her blood. For me, this is my second attempt.

Larissa’s face remained eerily pale. Do you feel any better? Because if not, he would never learn the truth from her.

She nodded, but it was clear that she was just as disoriented as the previous evening. He wondered if he should have refrained from demanding that she take more pain medication after her vehement protest. Even so, I could still hear her moaning in the dead of night.

“About an hour ago, I gave her additional pain medication. “It looks to be taking effect,” warned Nurse Grey.

He asked Larissa in the sweetest way he knew how, “May I ask you a question?”

Jacob brow-lifted.

Darien’s question was deflected by Larissa. Room entered unlawfully

She sounded worn out despite her voice being cleaner and less harsh. Uncle Sheridan already stopped by and spoke with you about it, so.

Jake replied as Nurse Grey let him go, “An hour ago.” He now appeared a little peaky.

“Jake, get moving. Until you feel more like yourself, you can lay down in room 5. He was raised by Nurse Grey.

Fortunately, we can produce blood more fast than humans can. Jake shot Darien one more snide glance. “Your turn is now next time.”

Incorrect blood type As they left the room, the nurse supported Jake’s arm.

Excellent justification, Jake said. We’re triplets, you know. He shares the same ancestry. Down the hallway, his voice became halting.

The chair was moved nearer to the bed by Darien. “Your bag must have been taken by the burglar who broke into your home. Had Uncle Sheridan mentioned that to you?

She exhaled slowly and shallowly. “Gun.”

I discovered your gun. What did you have in mind to do? Shoot someone you believed to have killed your sister? You must not attempt to resolve the situation on your own.

For a moment, she fixed her gaze on the ceiling as if trying to recall what had happened. She closed her eyes after letting them stray to the bed.

“What is the name of your family? Where is your family? She gave him a direct look. “Lelandi. Parents…”

She took a deep breath. Killed in an accident.

Sorry to hear that. He wasn’t even aware that his partner had a family, and he wasn’t entirely sure Larissa had been telling the truth, so he was finding it difficult to empathize. What was written in the letter?

Lupus is extorting her.

The heart of Darien almost stopped. “What, who—”

She studied the blanket, her fingers twisting the thin fabric.

“Yours or mine?”

Larissa looked up at him, her eyes revealing confusion. “Do you think it was one of my grays or one of your \sreds?”

She didn’t answer, which made him suspicious. “Why would anyone blackmail her?” Darien considered Lelandi’s nightmares, her reluctance to discuss her past with him. It fit. When he opened his mouth to question Larissa, she had shut her eyes again. “Larissa?”

She didn’t respond and appeared to be sleeping. He growled under his breath, swore he would not tell anyone

To give her any more pain medication if she needed it, and took his seat again.

Two painfully long hours later, Larissa opened her eyes, and immediately Darien launched in with his questioning, determined to get the truth out of her this time. “What about the man who accosted you outside of Hastings?”

“Gunman?”

Being evasive on purpose? Or confused again? “No, the hooded man in the copper coat.”

Instantly, her already pale face turned whiter. “Larissa?”

She scowled. “No one.”

He clenched his fists. “If he’s from your pack and he followed you here, angered you’d be investigating this, it might be something.”

Closing her eyes, she shook her head.

“Fine, when we catch the bastard, we’ll find out all we want to know.” He paused, waiting for her to give in. When she didn’t, he started in on her again. “He broke into your room, got physical with you—”

“I… I don’t think he broke into my room.” “How do you know?”

She didn’t respond.

“Got physical with you then.” Darien barely curbed his rage. Why did she protect the bastard?

“Little angry.”

Darien paced across the floor. “He was a little angry? I’m a little angry. Who the hell is he? And where is that damned letter? In your bag? Did you even have a bag?”

Deputy Peter knocked on the door and poked his face in. “A deputy sheriff’s here who picked up a red lupus

Garou matching the little lady’s description, hitchhiking. He’s from Green Valley. Want to talk to him?” Peter’s expression said there was lots more, but he didn’t want to say in front of the patient.

Darien cast Larissa a smug smile. “Yeah, I sure do.” Silva sneaked a peek in the room, waving a bag from Chipper’s Donuts like a white flag, the aroma of glazed icing, chocolate, and pastries filling the air. Silva smiled at Lelandi. “I brought some chocolate iced donuts.

Sounds like we need some cheering-up food in here.” “Ask her who the guy was who accosted her behind \sHastings before she came chasing after me at the tavern.” He smiled at Larissa when her face reddened, then stalked toward the door. “Where’s this witness at, Peter?”

“Doc’s office. He said you could question him there.” “Good. Now maybe we’ll get some answers.” Darien \sleft the room and headed down the hall.

“You know, sugar, you sure have him wrapped around your little finger. I’ve never seen him so out of control when he’s around you. I’d say he can’t decide whether to strangle you or kiss you.” Silva set a donut on Lelandi’s tray. “Coffee?”

Obviously he wanted to strangle her. And both parties agreed. Lelandi asked, “Milk?”.

“Yes, darling.” I’ll be right back. Silva left the room and went outside. Do you want any donuts, Trevor?

“What has she done this time to enrage Darien?” Trevor complained.

So, why didn’t the guy ever compliment Silva? “You can tell when a person hasn’t slept well.

He is constantly a bear. He was a bear at one point.

Silva gave Lelandi a wave. Leaving to fetch your milk