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He took her in. “I wouldn’t say fine. You have dark marks under your eyes and you’re still moving like you’re hurting.”
“I’m not injured or suffocating, though. I was just asleep. Which I’d really like to get back to doing. So, why are you here?”
He stood up. “I came to check on you, wanted to make sure you were feeling okay after last night.”
“I’m good. Just tired. How is Eden?”
“Furious.” His lips twitched.
He thought it was amusing that his sister was mad?
“Physically, she’s sore and that never puts her in a good mood. Eden is the worst patient ever. But mostly, she’s just really angry at Clint.”
“Why?”
“Because he grounded her.”
“How can she be grounded?” she asked, confused.
“Because Clint is an old-fashioned guy too. He’s the head of our family. And until Eden gets married, she’s his responsibility. And last night, she put herself in danger. So, she’s grounded.”
People didn’t live that way anymore, did they? Men didn’t take responsibility for their twenty-five-year-old sisters.
“Hmm, shocked you into silence, have I?” Amusement flashed in Kent’s eyes.
“He can’t ground her.”
“He can. He did.” That was all he said.
“But...but...shouldn’t you do something to stop him?”
“Why?” He frowned.
Good question. “Because she’s twenty-five?”
“Doesn’t matter how old someone is if they’re gonna go putting themselves into dangerous situations and they have someone who loves them, someone who wants them to be safe and healthy and happy, someone who is prepared to ensure that, then there’s gonna be consequences to reckless behavior. And those consequences need to be harsh enough so that next time that person thinks about doing something that puts them at risk, they stop and think again.”
“Harsh enough?” She wasn’t certain she liked the sound of that. “He’ll hurt her?”
“Of course not,” he replied so fiercely that she felt bad for ever suggesting it. “No man would ever harm a woman on Sanctuary. And if they did, they’d find themselves in a world of trouble. But a woman puts herself into a male’s care, agrees to follow his rules then breaks them, then she’s getting consequences whether she wants them or not. Abby, look at me.”
He waited until her gaze hit his to speak again. “I’m expecting you to keep all that to yourself.”
She shook her head. “I wouldn’t...I’d never say a thing.”
He gave her a small smile. “Didn’t think you would, sweetheart. Around everyone else, you’re quiet as a mouse. I like that you’re different with me.”
She wasn’t different with him, was she?
Oh hell, she was.
“Did you eat something before you climbed into bed?” he asked, sounding concerned.
She shook her head. “No. I was too tired to bother. I felt a bit ill as well.”
“When did you last eat?”
“Umm, I had something around ten I think.”
