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I cling to him and sob against his broad chest. My shoulders shake, even as he holds me tight, and I dampen the front of his t-shirt with my tears. His body feels so big and strong, and, for a moment, he makes me believe I will be okay.
But then a wave of dizziness sweeps over me, followed by a rush of cold that starts my teeth chattering again.
“Come on, let’s get you back to bed.”
He untangles me and scoops me up in his arms and carries me over to the mattress that’s become my bed. My eyelids are impossibly heavy, and I struggle to keep them open.
“You’re going to have to stay awake a little longer,” Reed says. “We need to clean your leg up again, try to stop the infection.”
Cade moves closer. “Won’t it be in her bloodstream now?”
He sounds worried, and that worries me even more. I don’t think he’s ever been concerned about me in any way before, but now his tone is low, and I can sense the tension in it.
Darius crouches at my shoulder and his long fingers sweep my hair away from my sweaty brow. “There’s no reason her immune system won’t be strong enough to fight it. We just have to keep the wound clean, and make sure she’s hydrated.”
His touch is gentle and soothing, and, as though he can read what my body needs, he strokes my hair over and over.
Reed reaches for my waist. “I’m going to need to take your jeans off so you’re more comfortable. Is that okay?”
I nod. He can do whatever he likes. I’m completely in their hands.
He pops the button and undoes the zipper, and then lifts my hips slightly to pull down my jeans. My panties are dragged with the material, but I don’t even have the energy to be embarrassed when he pulls them back into place.
“Here, I’ve got the alcohol and one of the swabs from the first aid kit,” Cade says.
I’m fully aware that I’m lying here in just my tiny, black lace panties and a t-shirt, surrounded by three men. Darius can’t see me, of course, but I’m sure he pictures me just fine. I don’t even care. His touch feels so good as he continues to stroke my hair. I never want him to stop.
Cade hands the items to Reed.
“This is probably going to sting,” Reed tells me.
I nod. “It’s okay. Do whatever you have to.”
To my surprise, Cade takes hold of my hand.
“Squeeze as hard as you need to.”
I find myself smiling at him, despite the pain I’m in. “I might hurt you.”
He returns the smile. “I doubt it. You’re as weak as a kitten right now.”
I don’t like being told I’m weak, so I squeeze his fingers as hard as I can to prove my point. He doesn’t even flinch, and the effort it’s taken me to try to hurt him has sapped the last residue of my strength. I fall slack against the mattress but don’t let go of Cade’s hand.
“Ready?” Reed says from down by my feet.
Weakly, I nod.
Cold wetness hits my skin and, a split second later, red hot fire shoots up through my leg. I cry out and grip Cade’s hand and grit my teeth. Darius’s palm remains on my forehead, and I break out in a fresh sweat.
I thrash and kick. “Ow, stop, please!
“Hold still,” Reed instructs, his firm hand pinning down my shin. “I’m not done yet.”
Tears spring to my eyes. “No, please. It hurts.”
“I know, baby. Try to breathe. It’ll be over soon. But I have to do a good job of flushing this wound out, okay? It’s important.”
The initial wave of agony has subsided into a dull throb. I sink into the mattress again and prepare myself for the second wave. It hits just as hard as the first, and I cry out. I try to yank my legs away, wanting to curl into a ball, but Reed has a solid hold on me and doesn’t let me budge.
