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8
Pen
An hour later I hear the sound of raised voices. Climbing out of the bath, I dry off quickly and grab a toweling robe from the back of the bathroom door. Stepping out into the hallway, my wet hair dripping down my back, I follow the sound, my feet padding silently over the heated floor.
“You piece of fucking shit. What were you thinking?” Dax yells, shoving at Xeno’s chest as I step into the open space. Both are too busy getting in each other’s faces to notice me enter.
Xeno grits his jaw. “Iwasn’tthinking Dax, that’s the issue.”
“Tell me something I don’t already know, dickhead!” Dax’s left eye is completely swollen shut now and a trail of blood trickles down his face from his split eyebrow, aggravated by his anger. Beast certainly did a number on him. That fight, and our conversation at Tale’s, seems like a lifetime ago, not just a few short hours.
“I asked Beast to send York and Zayn back too, where are they?”
“Don’t change the fucking subject! I could fucking murder you!” Dax shoves Xeno again, and I see the familiar anger that Xeno tries his hardest to keep under wraps, flare to life.
“Just do it. Just hit me! Get it out of your system so we can move the fuck on,” Xeno growls, squaring his shoulders, the muscle in his jaw ticking. He doesn’t even try to fight back when Dax grabs him by his jumper and fists the material in his hand, before raising a clenched fist.
“Dax, stop!” I shout, snapping out of my inertia and rushing forward. I get how he’s feeling. I understand he’s pissed at Xeno, but I’m done with all the bullshit fighting. The only way we’re going to get through this is together. That starts right the fuck now.
Dax lets Xeno go with a shove the moment he hears me and turns, capturing me in his arms.
“Kid, thank fuck!” he exclaims, sweeping me up against his chest and lifting me off my feet. He steps away from Xeno, still holding me close as he rains down kisses over my face. Behind us, Xeno strides into the kitchen area and clutches onto the sink, dropping his head between his shoulders. I feel torn between them. It’s not a feeling I like or want. The easy way we used to be with each other when we were kids seems so out of reach. That needs to change.
“Kid, are you okay?” Dax releases his hold enough for me to look up at him.
“I’m doing fine, Dax.” I don’t tell him that up until a few hours ago I was a complete mess, or that Xeno and I fucked away our past hurt. I’m not sure that will help the situation right now.
After another bone crushing hug, Dax drops me to my feet. Lowering me slowly down his body before capturing my cheeks in his hands, his good eye searching my face. “You sure you’re okay? I came back the second I could get away. I’ve been going fucking insane needing to get back to you.”
“I reallyam, but are you?” I ask, my fingers gently hovering over his bruised and battered face. Lifting up onto my tiptoes, I press a gentle kiss against his swollen cheek. “It’s worse.”
“I’ll live,” he mutters, as my mouth slides lower and I gently press a kiss on his lips, not wanting to hurt him. Grabbing my arse and hauling me close, Dax kisses me back passionately. “No need to be gentle with me, Kid,” he mutters after I pull back and drag in a breath. God, how these men make me lightheaded.
I’m pretty sure I hear Xeno growl, which only makes Dax lean back in and kiss me harder. I’m not complaining.
“Ah, so that’s why you left us to bring the bags up. Nice man, nice.”
York.
Dax chuckles against my mouth, but he lets me go and I wiggle out of his arms, running into York’s, who drops a rucksack on the floor. Like Dax, he hauls me up against his body and kisses me thoroughly. By the time I pull back, we’re both flushed, and York has a sheen of sweat across his forehead.
“I’ve got to be honest, I wasn’t expecting such a warm welcome, Titch,” he remarks, with a wink. “Just so you know, I’m partial to a spanking in case you come to your senses and wanna give me a slap for keeping secrets from you.” He’s referring to the whole Hudson, Santiago thing and I realise Xeno called them whilst I was in the bath to fill them in.
“You’re sweating!” I exclaim, swatting at his chest because he’s got a point. Hedidkeep things from me, they all did, but I’m prevented from fulfilling his fantasies when I see just how pale he looks. He’s more ghostly than vampish in the early morning light that feathers between the gaps in the blinds.
“That’s because you’re so damn hot,” he retorts with a wink.
“York, you should sit down,” I say worriedly.
“What a fucking wimp. Anyone would think he was shot.” Dax scoffs with a smile in his voice and a warm, brotherly kind of love in his eyes.
“Fuck off, you prick. At least I’m not giving Frankenstein’s monster a run for his money. Have you seen the state of your face?” York retorts with a smirk.
“Ha ha ha, you little prick! Do as Kid says and sit the fuck down.” Dax is chuckling now, and the sound warms my heart. I’ve felt so cold and alone for so long, and now I feel as though I’m beginning to thaw out just being with themallagain like this.
“Nice to know you’ve all still got banter after the fucking night we’ve had. I don’t think I could face cleaning up another shitstorm,” Zayn says, climbing up the stairs. He’s carrying an overnight bag too and drops it to the floor as I rush for him.
“Zayn!”
