Page 103 of Shattered Silence Duet

Talk about embarrassing. Using the bathroom with the help of my extremely attractive male friend, because I have minimal use of my arms and legs, is not something I’m looking forward to doing again. Thankfully, Jasper keeps his eyes averted when necessary and doesn’t make me feel overly awkward.

My limbs still feel like they’re made of lead, and Jasper tells me it’s the drugs in my system. I hope he’s right, that it’s not damaged from my injuries. I still can’t believe my mother did that to me. She’s always been crazy, but this time she’s completely off her rocker. I’m not sure what happened yet or if they’ve caught her. I need to ask, but I’m a little worried to know the answer.

A little pulse of excitement goes through me at the thought of me talking.I can speak!I’m not sure why I couldn’t before or what’s changed now but I hope with time, I can have full conversations. Right now, three words at a time is a real struggle, causing my throat to hurt from overuse and drying out, although the latter might be from the drugs still in my system.

As Jasper carries me out of the bathroom, I see all seven of my guys are here now, and I give them a huge smile.

“Sweetheart!”

“Malishka, you’re awake!”

“Princess!”

They all greet me with kisses on the head or cheek, with Dom coming over last and scooping me up out of Jasper’s arms.

I lean against his chest, happy to be close to him. He did everything he could to stop CPS from taking me and helped me speak again. I don’t think I can ever repay him for that, not to mention that they all saved my life by coming to find me.

“How do you feel, Kitten?” Every time he calls me that, it sends a small thrill through me. A special nickname just for me.

“Awful,” I admit weakly, taking stock of all my aches and pains.

He laughs, and I narrow my eyes at him.

“I’m sorry, I’m not laughing because you feel bad. It’s just that we’ve barely heard you speak at all, and I sort of expected you not to answer or to lie and tell me you’re okay. I love that you’refinallybeing honest with me,” he says, kissing my cheek as he sits on the bed. He places me in front of him and rearranges me so I’m sitting between his legs with my back against his chest, so we both face the rest of the room.

My fingers rest on his knees, feeling the soft material of his black dress pants. He’s paired it with a green dress shirt, but he’s left the top two buttons undone, giving me a little peek at the tiny bit of hair peeking out. His sleeves are rolled up, showing off his impressive forearms that are currently wrapped around my waist as I lean back against him.

Is this how friends sit together? Something about this seems much more intimate than I think sitting with a friend should feel like. But I don’t have much experience to go on. It’s probably just because I’m so attracted to Dom, and all the guys, if I’m being honest. There is just something about each of them that soothes me in a way I’ve never felt before.

And what was with that whole husband and boyfriend thing? I was sure it was just for the CPA officer, but Max seemed so genuine when he spoke to me. And Tucker… hekissedme. On thelips. That had to mean something, didn’t it? Were several of them interested in dating me?

“Are you okay, Mina?” Gideon asks, coming to sit on the edge of the bed and taking my hand in his. “Do you need any of your pain medication increased?”

I shake my head, reserving my voice for when it’s really needed. Ben sits on my other side and offers me some water, which I gratefully sip when he places the straw between my lips. My eyes dance around to each of them as I quench my parched throat. They are all so kind and caring, I’m not sure I deserve to have them in my life.

“Mina?” Ben asks, snagging my attention back on him. “Would you be comfortable having one of us as your emergency contact and power of attorney for medical care?” I frown, not knowing what that means. “When they brought you in, they wouldn’t even let us see you because legally we’re not family.”

The way he says that makes me think he might consider me family in another way, or maybe that’s wishful thinking.

“We only got to stay because we know the police chief. The doctor hasn’t even told us much about your condition. Just about the induced coma, and your finger. Once you were out of critical danger, he refused to give us any other updates. If you appoint one of us as your POA, we can help make medical decisions for you when you’re unconscious and unable to do so.”

“Only if you want us to, of course,” Gideon adds. I take a moment to consider what he said. If one of them was in the hospital and I wasn’t allowed to see them, I’d be upset, too. Jasper said I was unconscious for twelve days. They’ve been waiting for twelve days to find out what happened to me. I don’t think there is anyone I’d trust more to take care of me.

I look up at Ben and nod.

“Really?” he asks in surprise. I smile and nod again. “Great, let me grab the paper work, which one of us do you want to be your POA and emergency contact?” he asks, grabbing an envelope from the small table and pulling out some papers along with a pen.

I think about his question. I can’t really choose one of them over the other, I trust them equally. I lift my right arm, it takes effort but I’m glad to see it responding, even if it isn’t much. I quickly swirl my finger around to indicate the whole room.

“All of us?” Gideon asks with an eyebrow raised. I nod in confirmation. “Can we do that?” he asks, looking at Ben.

“Yes, we can all be POA for her equally, but she needs one main emergency contact. If you don’t mind, Mina, I’d suggest Dom. He’s the head of our family, so I think he’d be the best choice at keeping a level head in an emergency.” I nod in approval. I wouldn’t be able to choose between them, so I’m glad he’s doing it for me.

He holds the paper out, and between him and Dom, they help me sign the papers.

“I’ll go file these now,” Ben says, moving to stand, but I manage to stop him with my hand on his arm. He furrows his eyebrows at me as I try to work up the strength to speak. “What is it, Princess?”

I sigh and motion for some more water. I think it’s time to tell them about my past, especially if they were going to be my emergency contact and make decisions for me, they need to know everything.