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“Stay,” she said, voice thick and dry “Please”

I kept entle tones about what to expect during her recovery “You’ll have some memory lapses, but they should be confined to the days, ”

Sadie listened carefully, nodding as annoyance slipped into her questions “So I can go home? Recover there?”

Purcell shook his head “It would be easier to ress here”

“Easier,” she stammered slowly, “but home is not impossible?”

“No,” he sighed “It’s not impossible, but it isn’t advisable either”

The thing I respected about Purcell was that he knehen he was beaten and didn’t keep fighting a losing battle “We need to et out scheduled appointaze slid to me and then back to Sadie

“All I care about is that she’s healthy and doesn’t suffer any long-term effects,” I assured Purcell

“All right, then I’ll put a plan together”

Sadie gave a grateful nod, and her green eyes met mine “Get Thomas”

“Ma I a sorry that this happened to you” Cal stood in front of Sadie, tears swiht resting on Thomas

Her smile took some effort but eventually, the corners of her mouth curled up “Calvin, my baby boy” She cupped his face, looked at hi by forcing Rizz to take the fall for shooting Sadie

He was my brother, and I loved hiht of him other than to issue orders But it was my job to protect him, to keep him away from dirty old priests and coaches I was the one who steered him toward computers instead of sports

“I wish this didn’t happen to you, Ma” Cal leaped forward like the little boy he used to be, wrapping his arht “I’ive you for Bonnie, and I’ idiot about it I pro to be the man that Ava Rose needs That this family needs”

Sadie pulled back and studied Cal with a skeptical look that quickly transforht”

“You could use soreat, Ma” He kissed her cheek and stepped to her side, helping Sadie to the sofa while Thomas set a few pillows behind her

“Stop fussing over razedcharity…” She paused like she was looking for the word

“Case ma? Charity case?” he asked her