Hush 2: Slow Burn by Blue Saffire

I am not going to dig too deeply. Well, at least, that was the old me. Listening to what Shannon had to go through without me stings more than I would like to admit.
    I understand her last words to me so much more now. How can she even question who she is? Shannon is the most loving and sweetest girl I have ever met. Angie not being her mother will never change that. I fell in love with the sweet girl that hasn’t once turned her back on me, even though she should have over and over again.
    I fell for the girl that walked up to me and locked her arm around mine; acting as if we weren’t just introduced to each other and engaged to be married. Shannon held her head high and accepted me with a genuine smile on her face. A smile that said she was willing to make this work anyway she had to.
    That first night I could see she was shy and nervous, but she still went along with it. I was just fucking with her when I insisted she sleep over my place so we could get to know each other. I had even planned to fuck her if she agreed, but when she did.
    I was floored by her innocence and sweetness. I spent the night cuddling with her like a little pussy once I figured out she was a virgin. From that moment, I just wanted to protect her. I knew then I was still hung up on Pam. That is why I denied both myself and Shannon what we both needed for so long.
    I was being selfish as always. I run a hand down my face. I could use a shower and shave, but for once it is not about me. I need to be by Shannon’s side. She will never come second to anyone again. I will be whatever she needs me to be. I don’t even realize that I am bouncing Pam’s baby boy in my arms as she finishes with how Shannon has been behaving lately. It is when his little fingers stretch to pull at my tight bottom lip that I look down into his handsome face.
    His eyes are a dark hazel green color in their almond shape. His little cheeks are chubby and he smells like a slice of heaven now that he is changed. I can’t believe this is the same little guy that bombed that diaper a little while ago.
    “She wants babies,” I mutter so low I don’t think I hear myself. “She once asked me to promise her that. To promise her that no matter what, if we had to stick to the arranged marriage and if I never found a way to love her, she wanted me to at least give her babies to love. I should have told her then that I was already in love with her.”
    “She’s going to be fine, Luca,” Pam takes her son from my arms. “Let’s get inside so you can see for yourself.”
    I help Pam out of the car with the baby back in his car seat. We make our way into the hospital. The first person I recognize is Sam Mairettie. I know the man to the left of Sam is one of the Briggs brothers, but I’m not sure which one. I know it is not Thomas Briggs I know him well enough.
    There is a pretty black young woman that looks like a lighter version of Nate with strawberry blonde curls sitting on the other side of Sam wringing her hands. My best guess is that she is Nate’s sister. When she lifts her head and looks at me through big green eyes, I know for a fact she is Nate’s sister. It is in the set of her lips and the frown on her face.
    “You decide to show up now,” she snaps as she gets up to hug Pam and then reaches to take the baby out of the carrier.
    “How is she,” I ask no one in particular, ignoring her comment.
    “Pretty banged up,” Sam responds. “A few bruised ribs, some minor cuts on her arms, legs, and face, a concussion and some swelling to the brain. They had to give her a few stitches up by her hairline.”
    “Where is her room, can we see her yet,” I ask looking at Pam then back at Sam.
    “Jasper and Marie are in with her now. She isn’t conscious yet,” Sam pauses and looks me in the eyes. “The doctor said it could be a while before she wakes. It is a waiting game at this point.”
    I blow out a breath and run a hand down my face. I just need to get to my