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Everything is a blur.
With adrenaline surging and a mix of emotions that floods through my conscious decisions, I’m barely aware of anything other than her shivering, soaking wet body that clings to me. The only constant is the soft whimper that spills from her chilled lips down the crook of my neck, like one of a wounded animal, as we enter the kitchen.
We’re no longer in the business wing of the estate. The massive space is shared among the family and my brothers’ voices echo out as we cross the threshold. The rough laughter of siblings fucking around, joking without a single worry, is instantly iced over upon my entry.
“What the fuck?” Jase’s murmur to my left is almost drowned out by the sound of the chair grinding against the walnut floors.
“What’s going on?” Daniel questions from the opposite side of the island where Carter, Jase and Daniel all watch.
Carter, my oldest brother, is quiet but his lethal gaze bores into me.
“She’s freezing,” I start, becoming more and more annoyed every second they’re just standing there. I can barely containmyself and they were laughing. “Help me!” I command and they stare back at me in shock.
Anger brims as her body shudders against me.
Her eyes dart around with fear as she catches sight of them behind me.
“Help me,” I whisper, pulling at the straps of her black dress. “I need a blanket,” I add, speaking louder, clearer. And to my left, no one moves.
They all stare, bewildered, only watching.
“Get me a fucking blanket!” I scream, the command ripping its way up my hoarse throat.
All the expensive granite and shiny steel of the black and white modern kitchen can’t help her.Why did I come here? Why, of all places, did I come to where I knew they were, when they’re the reason this happened?
Daniel moves instantly, nearly knocking over Jase. Him leaving to help, him reacting eases a fraction of the panic. Only a fraction, though, and her head lolls to one side, unable to remain upright.
“She needs something hot.” Jase’s words are almost unheard as he moves to the pantry. The cabinet opening is louder than his comment.
“Soup,” I answer him with my head spinning.
What the fuck have I done?I don’t even know. I peel her clothes from her, knowing she’ll warm up faster without them.
She’s a rat. They know she is.Why did I come here?
Swallowing thickly as I rock her gently, I’m acutely aware of the fact that I want to deny it all. It doesn’t go unnoticed that Carter is still behind me. As the drenched clothes slap against the floor, Braelynn presses herself against me and at first I think it’s to shield herself from them, but as her icy cold body clings to mine and tears leak from the corners of her eyes, I think it’s simply an effort to survive.
My own shirt is soaked and I maneuver it off while doing my best to keep her close. She’s cradled against me, so small and helpless.
“What happened?” Carter asks, his voice eerily calm. My throat is dry, my words ragged as I answer him, “It’s done with.”
“What does that mean?” he questions further, in a tone I can only describe as cautious as Daniel returns with a blanket and holds it out, his gaze nowhere near Braelynn’s naked body.
I tuck the blanket around her carefully and as I do, I find myself telling her it’s all right. Daniel slowly takes the seat beside us.
“What happened?” he asks.
They all have questions. My heart hammers as I hold her, running my hands back and forth along her skin, rubbing warmth into her. With her hair wet, her lips blue and her unfocused gaze anywhere but on me, I can’t fucking take it.
“Declan, what do you mean it’s over?” Carter’s voice comes out harder this time and Braelynn tenses. She’s fucking terrified.
The microwave beeps and Jase is heard scuttering around the kitchen.
“You’re going to eat,” I tell her softly, ignoring Carter, and brush my nose against her temple to get her attention. Her gaze reaches mine and I’m fucking shattered.
She’s not okay. She’s never going to be okay after that.
“Declan. What. Happened.” Carter’s tone is what snaps the last of my composure.
