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“This is everyone.”
“Why are you here?”
“He wanted a lookout.” She lifted her head. “He knew something was wrong when the others didn’t come back. He meant to beat you like he did your man and shoot whatever fey he found trespassing.” She swallowed hard and glanced at Turik. “My husband’s words. Not mine.”
Turik looked like he wanted to comfort her. And maybe he was right to want to. She didn’t strike me as the violent type. More of the domestically abused type. But her fate wasn’t for me to decide. That was in Matt’s hands.
“Go get Matt,” I said to Turik. “Don’t let anyone see you, okay?”
He grunted and reluctantly tore his gaze from Shelby. She didn’t watch him leave or she would have seen how he’d looked back three times. I glanced at Tor.
“Matt might need your assistance carrying these guys wherever he wants them. You’d make a better impression on the people here if you had clothes on while you helped.”
Tor flashed his teeth at me and stalked closer.
“It will be painful, but for you and my brothers, I will force Mister Boopsy into pants.”
“Nope. You don’t get to call it that.”
“Would you like to name it?”
“You’re stalling. Go put pants on, Tor.”
“Tell me if she looks at my tight backside,” he said to Vorx before winking at me and strutting his way upstairs.
I shook my head, watching him with a smirk like I knew he intended.
“I thought you were with a human,” Shelby said hesitantly.
“I was. But it didn’t work out.” I gave a small shrug. “It happens sometimes.”
The look she gave me was full of understanding.
“I’m glad you got away then.”
Her comment revealed so much about her relationship with her husband.
“Why don’t you sit down? It might take Matt a while to get here. Are you hungry?” She shook her head, but I was already moving to grab a bag of chocolate candies I’d found. The festive red and green colors had probably been intended for some kind of holiday baking. Comfort food was comfort food, though, no matter the form.
I held up the bag and lifted my brow. Shoulders slumped in defeat, she resolutely sat.
“I’m not angry,” she said, watching me open the bag. “You don’t need to feed me.”
“Why would I think you’re angry?”
“Because I was caught helping them try to steal food and hurt you. I know I’ll be kicked out now. It’s not your fault. I made my own choices.”
I took a handful of candy and pushed the whole bag toward her. She needed it more than I did.
“Sometimes the choices we make are the ones we feel obligated to make.” As I said it, I thought of Adam and his blind insistence to leave me. How he’d thought he wasn’t enough to keep me safe.
“I don’t think your husband was a good man and can’t imagine he was ever kind to you. But you’re right; you made your own choice not to stand up to him. You also chose to be nice to me when we were out on supply runs, and while you might have been here when they hurt Adam, I doubt you laid a hand on either of us. Because of all of those actions, I don’t hold a grudge that you’re here tonight.
“Eat up. It might make you feel a little better.”
She took a few pieces of the candy and stared at the counter as we waited. Tor’s expression wasn’t as playful when he joined us, and I knew he’d been listening to our conversation. He looked at Shelby with pity in his gaze. Vorx hadn’t stopped looking at her. The conflict in his eyes seemed to be tearing him apart every time he glanced at the ring she wore. They knew married women were off limits and respected the rule. But their need to protect all females was just as strong. I wondered how they would react if Matt decided she would be exiled with her husband. Even if she weren’t, that wouldn’t negate the ring she wore.
The door opened, and Matt entered, followed by Turik. Matt scanned the room, taking in the scene, and exhaled heavily.
