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“Perfect. You can use this Tegaderm dressing, then you just follow the same process tomorrow. You good with that?”
“Yes,” Ryth answered.
She was so proud of herself, straightening her spine, jutting her chin in the air. She looked my way and all I wanted to do was crawl inside her head and find every little thing I didn’t know about.Especially what had happened in that place.
“You must be hungry.” The doc interrupted my thoughts.
“I have food.” Ryth grabbed the plate and handed it my way.
But I couldn’t stomach the shit, not when I was starved for her goddamn demons. I wanted to kill those men who hurt her, consume all her terror and her pain. More than anything, I wanted to protect her from anyone else who tried to tear her away.
“T?” she murmured carefully, that smile falling fast.
I took the plate, giving her a wink. “This looks perfect, little mouse.” And I forced myself to eat, chewing and swallowing, but all the while, I was fixed on that seething darkness. I wanted to know what had happened in that place—I glanced at Caleb—and I wanted to punch my brother in the goddamn mouth for almost getting us killed…or worse,used.
They could’ve used her.
Could’ve made her wear…red.
“T?”
I jerked my gaze to Nick, who looked at me strangely. “Yeah?”
“The doc was asking if you felt strong enough for a shower and a more comfortable bed.”
I just nodded, my focus slipping to Caleb across the room. The fucker felt it, too, glancing my way before scowling. “I’ll, ah, give you some space,” he muttered. “Glad you’re feeling better, T.”
I clenched my jaw, forcing the words between my teeth. “You sure about that,brother?”
Because he sure as fuck wouldn’t be for long.
He left, and the tension in the room became awkward.
“I can give you some painkillers that won’t make you drowsy, how about that?” the doc asked.
I just stared at the door Caleb had left through and nodded.
“Ryth,” he called, gesturing her to the drawers filled with drugs.
I turned to her, took the pills she offered, and put them in my mouth before swallowing them with the glass of water she gave me.
“Okay, then let’s get you into the bathroom.”
My body howled the moment I moved, but I gripped the sides and pulled myself up.
“You can lean on me.” Ryth held me steady as I sat for a moment. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and leaned on her while I slowly tried to rise.
Sparks ignited behind my eyes the moment my foot touched the floor. My thigh clenched, driving the agony deeper. I sucked in hard breaths, gripping her tight. She didn't flinch, didn't move. She was a goddamn tower of strength, supporting my weight as I limped toward the door.
Step by step, we left them behind and made our way toward the open door at the end of the hall. Once we were inside, it was just her and me.
“I’ll help you into the shower.”
I nodded. “Thanks.”
By the time I'd reached the bathroom, I wanted to vomit from the pain. How fucking long did those painkillers take to kick in? I almost regretted not asking for something stronger, until I remembered… then I made peace with the agony stabbing through my thigh.
Ryth flicked the light on, holding me as I limped to the sink. I gripped the vanity and slowly lifted my gaze to the haunted fucking face in the mirror. “Jesus,” I groaned. “I look like fucking hell.”
