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He undid my buttons and placed my shirt aside. “I’ve been worse. I’ll be fine. I’m more worried about you.”
My head was loopy. I might fall asleep sitting up. I also felt like I could run a marathon—very confusing altogether. I smiled at Ransom, remembering something I hadn’t shared yet. “Amias called you his little brother,” I said, twining my fingers in his hair.
He smirked. I was totally naked, and the blanket felt surprisingly cool against my thighs. When did he take off my underwear?
Ransom replied, “He was, what? Three years older than me? They all acted like I was a baby for the longest time. Had to prove myself over and over.” He shook his head, but his expression seemed more amused than annoyed.
“Did you?”
He sighed. “Better than I did today, that’s for damn sure. I placed you in danger with my reaction. I just saw red. I can’t and won’t listen to you be insulted. You have become my reason.”
Ransom carried me to the shower. When he would’ve stepped in fully clothed, I stopped him. “Goes better if you’re not wearing clothes.”
“True, but I didn’t want to assume…”
He was funny. “Let’s bathe each other,” I said with a chuckle.
Ransom took me at my word. After he undressed, we got busy with the soap, rinsing the few moments that had been life changing for me down the drain in a coordinated effort. We were going to smell exactly alike to my non-enhanced nose, and I didn’t mind whatsoever.
Internally, I winced. “Can’t stop thinking enhanced when I think of you guys. I know you don’t like it.”
“Call me whatever you want. I just like being in your head at all.” The water was warm. I could snuggle right there. “No.” He turned off the water. “Don’t fall asleep until I get you in the bed—nice, dry, and safe.”
I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to obey.
I closed my eyes, snuggling my nose into the curve of his neck.
* * *
“You have to control your temper. We’re all feeling the anger. It comes from the lack of the machine. They were controlling more than our sexual urges.” Crew spoke low, but his words carried clearly to my ears. “If I’d known, I would’ve stopped using it years ago. But all the things you’re feeling—the desire to protect her, to take care of her for the rest of your days—it also means you’re suddenly more lethal than you’ve ever been before. You should have killed Evans. After she went to bed, like a civilized assassin.”
I smiled against Ransom’s shoulder. “The rules of death dealing,” I murmured against his skin.
“You woke her.” Ransom kissed my forehead while the bed dipped as Crew climbed in it. I guessed he decided he was taking tonight? “Sleep, Butterfly. You’re okay. The shock will be gone by the morning.”
Crew pressed against my other side, his warmth familiar and comforting. “He’s right. I’m sorry I woke you. Just correcting my little brother here.”
Ransom groaned. “Just in case you wondered if he was listening earlier.”
“All of you are always listening,” I said on a yawn. “I learned that growing up. Somehow Amias knew if others could hear him.”
Crew sighed. “We all have our talents. He was good at that. Ransom here could get in and out of places totally undetected.”
“Crew can lead hordes of men through hell.”
I closed my eyes, amused. “I have no great talents.”
“That’s not true. You’re amazing in a million ways.” Ransom sighed. “Time to sleep, Butterfly. Tomorrow will come way too soon, and I want you to be rested.”
I closed my eyes, smiling as their hearts beat in my ears. Maybe I could sleep a little bit more…
14
RANSOM UNDONE
“Time to wake up. I miss you.” Ransom’s voice drew me from darkness, and I blinked open my eyes. My body creaked, stiff and clunky. I smiled at him, despite my slow ability to move. His rumpled hair and pinkened cheeks showed he’d been in the bed with me the whole time. If I felt like I’d slept for too long, he must be really out of sorts. Super Soldiers needed almost no sleep.
I stretched, rolling my neck before I sat up. “Sorry. I passed out and then I guess I stayed that way? I can get right up and…”
