Page 54 of Cries of Cassie

"Son of a bitch," I growl, looking up at the ceiling for some patience. Or maybe guidance. Who the fuck knows, but I don't need to argue right now.

His tattooed arm wraps around me, and because I'm a sucker for Parker's protectiveness, I sink into his chest willingly. "Sunshine, what's wrong? What hurts? Are you ill? Fuck. MADDOX!"

Ah hell. "Can you take me to the lounge, please?" I murmur, yearning for the cozy couches by the small bar in the room beside the garage.

"Hold on tight." He scoops me into his arms and rushes us away from the concerned brothers watching us. "I’ve got you now."

Don't cry.

When he tries to lay me on the couch, I cling tighter until he gets the gist that I want to stay on him. He sits and has me straddle his thick thighs, allowing me to hide my face in his neck. His large hand rubs my back sweetly, but there's a tenseness in the room that is about to explode.

I'm fucking terrified. They're seeing me vulnerable. As much as I don't think they'll kick me to the curb because of this, I think I'll have this fear for a very long time.

"You have about ten seconds of peace before you start talking," Parker warns me.

Maddy's voice comes first with a big boom that actually makes me jump. "WHERE IS SHE?!"

Then Ripley sticks his head through the doorway, and just seeing his tender eyes reminds me that I'm safe. "Kitty? You in here? PET!" He gasps the last word out and runs to me. I automatically run my hands through Ripley's hair when he kneels beside me and Parker. I'll never get used to seeing these men on their knees for me.

"Shit, baby. What happened?" Koa comes in, looking more frazzled than I've ever seen him.

Maddy's next, storming in and shouting for privacy.

Total exasperation, that's what I'm feeling. I swat Parker's chest and give him my best glare. He doesn't let me get a word out. "Ten seconds is up. Explain."

I test his hold on me to no avail. Even if I wanted him to, I don't think Parker would let me go. Plus, with Ripley on the ground by our legs, Koa on the couch, and Maddy standing sentry on our other side, there would be nowhere for me to escape to anyway.

It's time.

"First, I am truly okay," I say calmly. Nobody here needs to think I'm dying. "I have Ehler-Danlos Syndrome. Does anyone know what that is?" I doubt they've heard of it even though it's becoming a more well-known health condition.

They all shake their heads no, and their brows dip even further. Yeah, an unknown medical disorder would bother me too if it was one of them struggling.

"Alright," I start with a deep inhale. "EDS is a structural disorder. My DNA has genetic mutations that prevent strong collagen from building, which is like the glue that holds me together, kind of."

Koa looks ill. "Oh my god."

Maddy's face morphs from shocked to angry so damn fast I have to look away. "What the fuck?!"

"No. Just no," Parker denies, grabbing me tighter.

Ripley's pale and waiting for me to continue, so I do. "That sounded really bad, but I'm fine. My tissues are just fragile. There are many different versions of it, but mine is pretty common. Hypermobile EDS."

The angry stares are stressing me a bit. I dumb it down in hopes they won't be so worried. "Basically, if I hyperextend a joint, it can cause pain or dislocate easily. My doctor described it as if my joints get pulled and hurt, my muscles will overcompensate for that weakness by tightening around it and stiffening my mobility."

"Where?" Maddy growls. "Where does this happen in your body?"

Danger. Danger. Lie. Lie!

I can't lie to him. Not anymore. "Everywhere."

"FUCK!" Maddy bellows, and to my utter disbelief, he punches a hole in the wall.

Koa's off the couch so fast I don't even realize it until he has his arms locked around Maddy. Koa grapples for control, pinning the angry man's arms down and murmuring quiet words in his ear.

I watch wide-eyed and lean into Parker more. Jesus. I expected a lot of questions, but not this.

Maddy's head snaps toward me. "What hurts today?"