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Wes pulled back and shook his head at the sight of the bruise on her cheek and her bandaged hand. She looked exhausted.
“I’m okay,” she said and he felt her trying to pull away. He didn’t want to release her. He wanted to hold her in his arms until his heart rate slowed and his worry ceased entirely. But he wasn’t the only one who needed to touch her. This incident caused his brothers and him to take a clearer look at their future and what they wanted together with Gia. Now, if they could just convince her to give them a chance.
“Let me see,” Gunny said then placed his fingers under her chin and tilted her face so he could see the shiner. “Jesus, baby, that looks bad. Have you been icing it?”
She nodded her head. When Gia turned to look at Garrett his fists were by his side and he wasn’t facing her. She looked at the others. Wes felt his stomach muscles clench. Garrett had no tolerance for abuse against women. Their parents had raised them well, and being exposed to such in-depth violence in the military, it seemed that Garrett had had more than enough. He adored Gia already, but since finding out that she was alone and attacked by some asshole, he had been ready to explode. Wes hoped he could keep it together for Gia. He might scare her.
“You said you were hungry, would you like me to run out and get something for you?” Teddy asked.
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“No, don’t worry about it. The dads and Mom sent over some food,” Wes said. He watched as Gia stared at Garrett. She turned to look at Teddy and Dale.
“Thanks for the ride.”
“Hey, I got out of last two periods,” Dale said then hugged her.
“You missed football practice,” Wes stated firmly.
“So did you, Coach,” he replied and they chuckled.
“Are you going to be okay?” Teddy asked Gia.
“She’s in good hands. Don’t worry,” Wes said in a low voice.
Teddy hugged her then he and Dale said good-bye and left. Wes walked over toward the counter.
“Mom sent over some chicken and potato salad and even plain salad. What would you like?” he asked.
She slowly took a seat then stretched her back before rubbing her shoulder.
“Just a little something. I’m very tired. I haven’t had much sleep.” She said the words but stared at Garrett’s back.
“We’ll take care of you, baby,” Gunny said very firmly then turned away. Wes realized that his brothers were really having a difficult time looking at Gia with the bruise on her gorgeous face and her bandages. They had wanted to get to her and be with her in Dallas but she’d refused, saying to Teddy that it wasn’t their responsibility and that she wasn’t their girlfriend and she could handle it. That pissed them off, especially Garrett and Gunny. Wes knew that she was somewhat right, because they weren’t dating. They wanted her and that was the bottom line. They were all used to being in control, and taking charge. They were filled with anger, and so was he, but now wasn’t the time to share their upset over the situation. They needed to help Gia forget it.
She looked at Garrett and seemed angry herself despite her exhaustion.
“Forget about the food, I’m too tired.” She slowly stood up.
“You should eat something. You don’t want to get sick now, too. Your body is in recovery mode as is,” Garrett snapped at her. Wes saw them lock gazes. Garrett was in one of his moods. There would be no reasoning with him. He hoped that Gia just accepted it. But as Gia looked at him and then Gunny he knew that the matter wasn’t dropped and Wes prepared himself for the battle.
It was in that moment that Gia slowly walked over to Garrett. He tensed as she wrapped her arm around him from behind.
“I’m a lot stronger than I look, Garrett. Please don’t be angry with me,” she stated loud enough for them to hear.
Garrett turned in her arms, lifted her up in the air, and hugged her tight.
“Angry with you? No way, baby, I’m fucking fuming at that asshole who did this to you. I’m filled with rage.” He easily held her in his arms with her legs straddling his waist. He moved her closer to the small island in the kitchen and to where Wes and Gunny stood.
“I know, Garrett, but right now, I don’t want to deal with any more anger. I’m so tired of it all,” she whispered, keeping her cheek against his chest. Wes and Gunny moved next to them. He could see how tired she was.
“I haven’t slept since the night before it happened. I couldn’t fall asleep on the plane. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him and I was fighting him.”
Garrett caressed her hair. Wes felt the knot in his throat. He wished he could take away her fear and her pain. She needed them and they would be here for her.
“Shh, baby. We don’t have to talk about it. We’re here now and we’re not leaving you.” He tilted her face up toward him and appeared as if he were trying to avoid looking at her bruised cheek. Then he softly kissed her on the lips. When their lips parted she cupped his cheeks as their foreheads pressed together
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