Page 49 of Shattered Pieces

“It won’t be much help. I don’t know who stabbed me,” I said lightly, getting a knowing look in return.

“Things are a lot easier when you’re honest, Donovan.”

“My mind’s a little foggy. Maybe it’s the sedation? I was in my room, right?”

“You were in Bryant’s.”

“Why was I in there?” I muttered, trying to act more confused so they wouldn’t get a good statement out of me.

She rolled her eyes, knowing I was full of shit, but she gave up talking about it.

The nurse went over everything in medical terms, but since I knew I was going to live, I zoned it out.

What was happening back at the prison? Had Lexi been blamed?

“Miss Jarvis? It wasn’t Lexi,” I said, making her snort.

“Thought you didn’t remember?”

“I know it wasn’t.”

“Whatever you say, Donovan,” she grunted, apparently not giving a shit about what I said.

I napped on and off, waking at some time through the night to the sound of scuffling.

The guards were outside the door, leaving me alone since I was cuffed to the bed and this room was apparently too high to worry about me breaking out.

The sound continued until the cover of the air duct popped open, Marco’s face appearing a moment later. He put a finger to his lips before silently slipping out, making the smallest thud possible as he dropped down and landed on his feet like a cat.

“You good?” he whispered as he moved to stand beside the bed, pushing my blanket back to inspect me.

“Got shivved,” I whispered back, scowling at him as he lifted my gown to look at it. I was only wearing panties under it, so I swatted at him. “Hey, perv. Do you mind?”

“Not in the slightest,” he grinned, inspecting my wounds. “What happened? Hunter and Josie got a call saying you’d been stabbed, but they don’t know anything else.” I quietly gave him the rundown, and he shook his head slightly when I was done. “You got stabbed because you jumped between Lexi and a shiv? That makes you stupid, Princess.”

“What was I supposed to do? Leave her there? Lexi’s not a bad person,” I answered, my gaze flicking to the door. “How much trouble will you get in if you’re caught?”

“It’s fine. I paid one of the guards to stay out. He knows I’m in here,” he chuckled, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Is shit going down in there or something? I heard about the murder.”

“It was that girl Lexi was banging. No idea what happened.”

He hummed, his fingers tracing a line across my stomach and making me wince as I flinched from it, hurting myself in the process. He pulled back, but I reached for his hand, holding onto it.

“How long can you stay?” I asked, knowing he couldn’t stay for long, and he sighed, his other hand lifting to my hair to brush it off my face.

“A little longer. Take a selfie with me so I can show the guys you’re alright. They’re freaking the fuck out, and Josie isn’t home to bully her way in here.”

“I look like shit.”

“You smell like shit too, but who’s taking notes?” he teased. I let him take a photo with me and he sent it straight to Hunter before pocketing his phone again. “The good news is if you got stabbed for helping Lexi, you’ve probably gained some respect. Loyalty is important, and you proved you had her back,” he offered, and I cringed.

“Doubtful.”

“I mean it. Are you too sore to blow me? Because it was hard work getting in here and I deserve a reward,” he smirked, and I risked injuring myself as I elbowed him.

“I wouldn’t touch your cock even if it was the last cock on earth.”

“Say cock again and look me in the eyes. A little slower though.”