Damaged and the Knight (Damaged #2)

Bailey stepped closer and slapped Cooper’s hand off me. “Judd, the only way to make things right is to cut off Mac’s arm and feed it to our dogs.”


“Sounds about right,” Judd muttered, still glaring at Mac who moved around the large packed family room as if trying to dodge the eyes on him.

“Bailey,” I whispered, giving her the look.

“What I meant was that Tawny is all kinds of loyal and shit, so cutting off Mac’s arm, while fun, isn’t necessary. Trust your woman.”

“I do trust her,” Judd muttered. “I still want to stab Mac’s face.”

“Yeah, that takes me back,” Cooper said, grinning at Farah who frowned. Rolling his eyes, he sighed. “Trust your woman. You know, what the dipshit said.”

“Don’t call her a dipshit,” I told Cooper who glared down at me. “I’m not having a staring contest with you.”

“Cause you’d lose.”

“Farah,” I said and she wrapped her arms around Cooper who sighed.

Seeing a way to fix my other problem, I hugged Judd to me. As he looked down and grinned, I murmured, “Pay attention to me.”

Exhaling hard, Judd caressed my face. “Sorry, but that guy had your fingers on him. I feel like I should make an example of him, but I won’t. That wouldn’t be nice.”

Bailey leaned in and whispered, “Are you training him too?”

“I’m training everyone,” I whispered back.

Laughing, Bailey still put on a little frown. “I want a man to cuddle.”

Tucker stopped kissing Maddy long enough to look at Bailey. “Everyone needs love. Even the dipshit. I’ll find someone for you.” Tucker looked around. “How high are your standards?”

Bailey opened her mouth and I knew a tirade of profanity was coming. Before she got started, I hugged her to me.

“Tuck wants to help you. It’s his asshole way of showing his love. Tell him thank you and we’ll train him to be less of a jerk.”

Bailey took a deep breath and nodded. “Thank you, Tucker.”

A sober Tucker might have teased his sister, but the drunken version hugged her and told her that he would find someone great. Hot, big dick, money, nice hair, the whole package.

Cooper frowned at both me and Farah. “You two are having an adverse influence on the family. Fucking Sawyer said thank you earlier today. What’s next? Will she say please?”

Grinning, Farah cuddled up to Cooper. I should have felt happy too. Instead, my mood shifted fast and I felt out of place. Judd watched me then he leaned over and said something to Farah. My sister’s smile faded as she took my hand and pulled me away from the kitchen.

I glanced back at Judd and Cooper who watched us go. Bailey just fought to free herself from Tucker’s continuing brotherly hug. Nearby, Maddy found the struggle so hilarious that she had to sit down from laughing so hard.

Farah led me to a small bedroom where she shut the door. We sat on the bed and she studied me.

“You’re having one of those bad days.”

Nodding, I fought the urge to cry. “I don’t know why either. I woke up happy. Judd had been great and I have what I want, but I feel down.”

“Changes are hard and you’ve had a lot of changes lately.”

“I feel like I’m being ungrateful and all the good stuff will go away.”

“That’s not how stuff works.”

“I don’t really deserve to be happy though.”

Farah pulled me to the headboard and had me lean my head against her chest. Like a child seeking comfort from their mother, I rested in her embrace as she caressed my head.

“You were always such a good kid,” she said. “So quiet, you never asked for anything. You were sweet, but our family just ignores people like that.”

“None of my teachers ever thought I was special like Mrs. Prescott thought you were.”

“Because I clung to Mrs. Prescott and you never clung to anyone except me. I was always wanting things, but you never did. You sat in class and disappeared. You did the same thing at home. That doesn’t make you bad. It makes you quiet. Why would being quiet mean you don’t deserve to be happy?”

“I don’t know.”

“The last few days were crazy, but I’m happy you have Judd.”

Nodding, I nuzzled her and smiled. “I really enjoy being with him. It’s comfortable like we’ve always known each other. I know that sounds stupid.”

“No, it doesn’t. You found your Cooper. I fought my feelings for Coop, but you’re not wasting time with Judd. That makes you smart, Tawny.”

I sighed. “Why do I feel so bad?”

“I don’t know. I think some people just have darker moods than others. It’s not your fault.”

“Do you think Judd could love me one day?”

“He might love you even now, but Coop said Judd doesn’t get close to people. He got close to you though. That’s because you’re special to him.”

“I want to be his Farah.”