Page 74 of Wolf It Down, Knot Me Up

“It’s nothing,” Grayson insists.

“It’s bleeding badly. He got cut with a blade,” I press, while Grayson just rolls his eyes.

“Turns out that shithead stripper was your doppelgänger,” Grayson says. “He’d pretended to be you and took Lucy into the woods when she first got into town.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Roman’s face reddens. “Where is he?”

“Long gone,” I add. Then Grayson gives him a fast rendition of what just happened outdoors, and Roman’s in my face.

“Are you okay, gorgeous? You’re not hurt, are you?” His fingers caress my arms where he holds me.

I shake my head. “Just furious and confused, is all.”

“Go get him patched up.” Roman strokes my cheek. “I’ll bring Wolf up to speed and make sure the lodge is locked down tight.”

I take Grayson’s elbow and tow him the rest of the way to my bathroom, as it’s large and well stocked.

I grab the seat from the vanity and place it by the bathroom sink. “Okay, sit.”

“So bossy. I like this side of you.”

It’s impossible to be serious around him. I drop to the cabinet under the sink and start searching. Soon enough, I grab the antiseptic, some gauze, a roll of fabric bandage, and a towel.

I can’t stop shaking, but I remind myself to focus on Grayson right now, on his wound.

I soak the towel in the warm tap water, then lay his forearm across the edge of the sink. “Let me know if it hurts,” I say, wiping the blood away from the cut. It doesn’t look deep enough for stitches.

He studies me. “A man could get used to having you as a nurse.”

“You just got slashed, and your head goes right to the gutter again, hey?” I apply more pressure with the towel to the cut.

“If you must know, I’m still picturing you on your hands and knees in front of me. Any idea how hot that is?”

I laugh out loud. “You have incredible focus.”

“What can I say?” Behind his grin, there’s not a shred of shame. “That’s the impact you have on me.”

I uncap the antiseptic. “Okay, sure. Now, this next part actually stings.” I squeeze it over the cut, and he sucks in a sharp breath.

“The good stuff.”

I laugh as I spread the gauze on the injury. Next, I tear open the bandage packet with my teeth, and he’s watching me way too closely. “Sexy as fuck.”

“You’re clearly an unwell man.” I can’t stop smiling as I begin wrapping the bandage around his forearm, tight enough to maintain the pressure. “Almost done.”

Finally, I tuck the end under. “Done. You’ll survive.” That’s when I bring over the second seat over and sit across from him. My knees are between his, and I stare up at the gorgeous man who saved me earlier.

“Thanks for coming to my rescue outside,” I say.

“When I saw you head outside with the guy, and then you were alone with him too long for my liking, I had to investigate.” His thumb traces along my jaw. “Thanks for patching me up. I’ll be sure to use you for all my nurse needs going forward.” He’s grinning, the small creases at the corners of his mouth deepening. “Wish I had you with me in prison for all my wounds back then.”

He’s still smiling, but I wonder how much of that brings back terrible memories. “Must have been horrible in prison.”

“Yeah, I don’t recommend it. I slept with one eye open most of the time, and the guards really didn’t give a shit about inmates. But things improved once I met up with Roman and Wolf. Three of us standing together turned out to be something no one in there wanted to challenge twice.”

“You found your pack,” I say.

He reaches over and takes my hand in his, then kisses my knuckles. “I found my family. Well, almost a complete family, but it’s coming together now.” His eyebrow rises in that knowing, cheeky way because he’s as subtle as a sledgehammer.