Page 79 of Speak No Claim

“No, you’re going to scar.”

Scooting down a little on the bed, he alleged, “I’ll just add it to the others.”

“Onyx…” I could tell he was getting tired and sleepy.

“Come here.”

“I am here.”

“No,” he insisted, pulling me to him. “Come here.”

I willingly went, gently laying my head on his chest.

“Better,” he said.

Within seconds, he was passed out cold. I stayed there with him, listening to his soft breathing and the lull of his heartbeat. Somewhere outside, the harsh sound of thunder rolled by before it started to pour. A few of his blinds were shut, but the one from his balcony wasn’t, and I watched the rain cascade down the glass, realizing how close my bedroom was to his.

I instantly wondered if he watched me in my bedroom. He could literally see right over to mine. Somewhere along the way, I began to drift off to sleep myself.

Dreaming of being in his arms…

* * *

Except it already became reality.

Chapter

Twenty-Four

Onyx: When you’re up, your friends know who you are. When you’re down, you know who your friends are.

Deja roared, “What in the actual fuck?”

Hennessy jumped out of my arms, and I groaned out in agony from her sudden movement.

“Christ, Deja,” I scoffed, trying to lean against the headboard.

I couldn’t believe how sore I was, so I grabbed another pain pill in the process.

“Don’t overdose on those,” Hennessy scolded me. “They’re highly addictive. I can make you something topical for the pain. It’ll numb the wound, but not your body. I can also make you some healing tea.”

I didn’t listen, swallowing two of them with her leftover drink that was warm as shit.

“Until then”—I set the drink down on the nightstand—“this will do.”

“It’s just sangre de grado. It's dragon’s blood resin and will help with the cuts. Copaiba oil will help with soreness. There’s an Amazonian botanical downtown. I can pick it up for⁠—”

“Oh my God!” Deja interrupted. “You both are truly delusional!”

“Deja, if you’re going to keep lecturing me, you know where the door is.”

“Don’t you take that tone with me! You know exactly what I’m talking about. The Brotherhood⁠—”

“Is none of your business.”

“Yeah? Well, your life is my business! Mom wouldn’t⁠—”

With one low growl, I rendered her speechless.