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Amiri causes warmth to swirl around in my tummy, a calm that settles in the core of my being. They are here still...I'm not alone.
"You weren't there to sign for her car, though. Are you going to get the drop-off rescheduled?"
Nolan's question has my dreary eyes shooting open in shock. The choked sound from my throat has all four of their heads whipping toward me, followed by the rush of their bodies crowding around my bed.
"Hi, Angel. How are you feeling?"
Parting my lips to respond to the dark god leaning over me, I struggle to get a sound out. Thankfully, he notices and offers me a cup of water with a straw. I guzzle. And I fucking guzzle. It feels like a damn eternity since I've had any liquid.
I gasp at the stabbing pain in my abdomen from how much fluid I just worked into my body. "Easy, Eve," Korren's tone is firm, probably seeing the pain most likely plastered all over my face.
I lick my lips; the stinging pain of moisture settling into the cracks and blisters on them is the least of my worries. I sweep my eyes over the men who have stolen my heart. I can't help the tear that escapes at my body's protest of being alive.
"H-hurts."
I hate the way Ryan's smile falters before he rushes out the door. A wobbly, painful breath inflates my lungs at the loss of his presence.
"He's getting the nurse so they can give you something for the pain. Ry's coming back, understand?" Nolan gives me a determined look, like he's prepared to promise me the world no matter the cost.
I give him a gentle nod and do my best to ignore the twinge in my neck. My sight blurs with the onslaught of emotion, and my bottom lip tugs at its scar as it wobbles.
"I know, sweetheart. We are here now." His vow does nothing to stop the sob that bursts free of my chest, nor does it diminish the yelp of pain that wreaks havoc on my center. His gaze turns frantic just as a nurse rush in and adjusts something beside me after shuffling the other two of my guys away.
Korren growls at the male nurse, making my attention divert to the threat my protector sees. I catalog his white, blonde hair and the harsh line of his jaw. Just as I go to dismiss him, a warm wave runs through my veins, muddling the pain in my body and making my brain soar to the clouds.
"Pretty..."
Who said that?
The nurse lets loose a snort and offers me a wink. Oh my God, I said that! I ignore the additional grumbling bouncing off the walls of the room, too lost in my own embarrassment. The man laughs again. "Hi, Ms. Miller. Yes, you did say that."
I don't know what he just pumped me full of, but the heat of it rushes to my cheeks, making my embarrassment visible. It feels like my eyes are as wide as saucers, unable to make them move away from the guy laughing at me and jotting down notes.
"I'm so sorry," I breathe...oh, the fucking horror.
He gives me a big smile, tucking the clipboard beneath his arm. "Quite alright; it's not the first time. Go ahead and call me Miles. I-"
Who just giggled?
"What the hell did you give her?" The pouty growl and hushed wheezing make their way past my horrified embarrassment.
I can't help the laugh that rocks my body at the sight of Ryan doubled over, silently chortling behind a stone-cold, pissed-off Koko. Thanks to whatever the pretty nurse gave me, I barely register the cramp in my tummy.
"I gave her something to help with the pain. Everyone reacts a bit differently in different stages. You might find her to immediately fall asleep, become confused and disoriented, or even a bit silly." He shoots me another conspiratorial wink making me grin right back.
"Get out." the haste in which my head snaps back to my growly man has my head swimming.
"Koko..."
The nickname rolls off my tongue easily, but the way his body stiffens before every tense muscle in his body relaxes is not what I was expecting. It feels like my thoughts, behaviors, and feelings are not aligned whatsoever. Like they are trudging along and trading off who moves the slowest.
The next thing I know, the blonde man is gone and replaced by my dark-haired, tattooed teddy bear leaning over me and grasping my heated cheeks.
All thoughts of whoever administered the drugs flee from my mind...Korren is here. He's holding me. My strong, unyielding protector is shedding tears of relief and exasperation on my behalf.
"Eve. Fuck, I'm so so so sorry. I should have been there to protect you. I should have found you sooner. None of this should have happened. I'm so sorry. I swear I won't let anything hurt you ever again, even if you kick me aside."
The change from giggly energy to this…makes my eyes well up, and my mind wash away the fog the warmth coated me in. I'm still too muddled to respond fast enough before my fierce man can continue.
