“All right. We’ve clearly surpassed the acceptable amount of protectors.” A doctor—whose name I can’t remember—speaks with a loud, commanding tone as he maneuvers between two of Zoey’s brothers, rolling a tray in front of him that contains some wicked-looking, curved needles.

How often did she get stitched up before coming to Pine Falls? Because here, it seems to be happening every other day.

“We have a very comfortable waiting room, and I’m sure Nurse Laura would be happy to brew some tea for you all while you wait.” The doctor tilts his head toward the doors I recently burst through, and I spot the curly-haired nurse glaring daggers at me.

Funny, before I fell for Zoey, I was much better at getting people to like me.

“We’re not going anywhere,” Abram declares, and all the brothers nod in agreement.

The doctor, who I see now is wearing a name tag that declares him as Dr. Briggs, doesn’t seem intimidated by the blond giant’s glower.

“Yes, you are. This is my treatment area, and to give your sister proper care, I need you all out of my way.” As Abram moves to argue, Dr. Briggs holds up a staying hand. “I’m not heartless. Miss Gunner can choose one of you to stay with her if she wants a companion.”

“I’ll stay.” Her oldest brother says the words faster than I can think them.

Just as I’m about to step into his space, Zoey slides her hand back into mine.

“Abram,” she says, gaining his attention immediately, “I appreciate the offer, but you’re getting too intense. You’re making me nervous. Warner is going to stay with me.”

A prideful warmth fills my chest.

Of course, Abram doesn’t simply accept that.

“I’m intense? That guy came in here, ready to murder.” Abram points at me.

He’s not wrong.

Zoey frowns at her brother, then turns back to me. “Warner, would you mind sitting in that chair?” She tilts her head toward a seat next to the bed. Since it’s too far away from her for me to keep ahold of her hand, I press a kiss to her thankfully cut-free palm before doing as I was told. Zoey smiles at me, then gives her brother a more rueful version of the expression.

“I’ve asked all of you to chill out and sit down since we got here. Thank you for acting the hero, but right now, I just need to be the one in charge of me.”

Abram stares between the two of us before releasing a frustrated but resigned sigh. “We’ll be right outside those doors.”

“I know you will.”

The brothers file out, all of them throwing glances back at their sister. Each one looks equally concerned, which makes it impossible to tell who might have hurt her.