“A few days?” I murmured incredulously, looking down at the stuffed bags that would be more than enough for the next year or more.
Maddox chuckled. “My sister takes clothing pretty seriously.”
“I’d say so.” I laughed for the first time since this ordeal had started. It felt good. “That was really nice of her and the other girls.”
He squeezed my shoulder briefly. “They’re good people. You’ll see.” His phone pinged with another text, and his lips tilted at what he read. “More good news, babe. You’re all clear to shower. You just need to let me help change your bandages, and Scarlet wants you to keep up a regular course of ibuprofen. If that’s not enough, we’ll switch back to the pain pills. And Francesca, you need to tell me if it’s not enough,” he added firmly.
“I will,” I agreed. “But I can change my own banda—” I stopped at the sight of his sour expression. “Fine.” I relented with a sigh.
“She’s getting it,” he grumbled to himself, hoisting both bags in his hands and carrying them to his room.
He dropped them on his bed before leaning down to kiss my temple. “Take your time, baby. I’ll order the pizza.”
I was relieved to have the time to freshen up. I opened both bags, marveling at the thought and generosity that had gone into everything included. There was shampoo, conditioner, a toothbrush, tampons, deodorant, underwear and bras, lots of bras. I had to laugh at the range of sizes. Clearly Maddox hadn’t been any help there. They’d included makeup in a few different shades. The clothing ranged in sizes and I unearthed several pairs of jeans, tees, bras, pajamas, and sweatpants. By the time I was done going through everything, tears pricked at the back of my eyes. It wasn’t something I was used to, being cared for. Despite the situation that had caused it and my remaining skepticism, a warm feeling settled in my belly.
I stayed in the shower until my skin pruned, until I was sure I’d washed every bit of smoke and blood off my body. It felt amazing to be clean.
I chose simple black cotton panties and after a few tries, found a bra that fit. I played around with the makeup and though nothing on earth could cover my bruising, it helped mute the intensity a bit. I’d take anything I could get.
I stared at my bandages, debating again doing it myself.
As though he’d sensed what I was about to do, a quiet rap sounded on the bathroom door. “Pizza’s here. You ready for some help?”
I stared into the bathroom mirror, clutching the soft white towel around my frame.
“Baby?” His tone was gentle but insistent.
I opened the door, looking down at the ground. Under the lights, with mirrors all around, I felt on display—as though my ordeal was splattered across every surface, but mostly all over me.
He cleared his throat. “Sweets.” His sober tone had me looking up at him with both wariness and curiosity. “I know you’ve been through hell. I know you’re unsure of me, and I can’t even imagine what’s going through that beautiful mind of yours. But you’re safe here. With me. If you don’t want me to help you with your bandages, I’m not gonna force you. I just want you to feel safe. I want to take care of you.”
Once I’d been given the choice, the answer was easier. “Can we just get out from under all these lights?” I asked quietly.
His gray eyes lit with relief. “’Course we can. Come here.” He offered his hand, guiding me gently toward his bedroom.
“Do you have any idea what you’re doing?” I asked skeptically as he sat me on the edge of the bed.
He chuckled. “I can manage. If there was stitching required, I’d call for backup. Promise. Wouldn’t want to mar this gorgeous skin. You were in good hands with Scarlet.”
“She’s a doctor or a nurse I assume?” I asked as he got to work on the bandage on my arm, removing it quickly and applying fresh ointment.
He nodded. “A nurse. She’s Cole’s wife, our prez. We have a few nurses in the club actually.”
“I’d imagine you need them,” I murmured.
He looked up at me from where he kneeled in front of me. “Not as often as you’d think. We keep our hands pretty clean. But if trouble comes to us, we don’t back down from it.”
I nodded silently as he replaced the first bandage and got to work on the one on my chest, the smallest of the five.
“How is Wren doing?” I asked quietly.
“Good, thanks to you,” he murmured meaningfully. “She and Max have both checked in on you, wanting to make sure you’re doing okay.”
His expression turned pensive once he’d finished replacing the first two bandages. “Gonna have to move this towel down, sweets. You okay with that?”
Hell, at this point what more did I have to lose? I let the towel fall to the bed, all too aware of the bandages that marred my sides and belly, a belly that held none of the definition his had. Suddenly it felt like I did, in fact, have more to lose.
He looked up at me, his gaze tracking my expression as though he wanted to read my mind. “Are you scared about something?” he demanded, with a fierce expression that told me he was ready to slay all of my dragons.
