Chapter 12

I had no idea what time of day or night it was. The curtains in Alona’s room were so dark, they blocked out all the light. After the apartment had emptied, Leone and Michael had gotten me back to the bed. The doctor had popped in, literally, for a few minutes and agreed I was improving rapidly. According to my body, that was questionable. Leone had woken me a few times for blood, then I’d find myself lying there with Michael lurking in the doorway while Leone went to feed.

“You don’t like me much, do you?” I whispered into the darkness toward his outline in the door.

“My personal feelings in all this are irrelevant, but I don’t dislike you as much as you think.”

I stared at his silhouette, “your life skill is answering without saying anything.”

He made a sound of amusement. “Occupational habit.”

Leone came up behind him. “Thanks.”

“Call if you need me.” Then he was gone.

“Unconditional love.” I mused quietly.

“What’s that?” He asked laying down on the far side of the bed.

“Something Alona mentioned when you were trying to kill your brothers that day.”

He yawned. “Wasn’t trying to kill them, just needed to…”

“Rage.”

Propped on up his elbow he looked at me. “Something like that.” He looked at the t.v. still playing. “Still want it left on?”

I smiled. “Yes. I’m used to having noise to sleep. This apartment is totally soundproof I think.”

He put his head on the pillow. “Most likely. Rest.”

My head started to feel fuzzy. The effect of the eufori doing its job nicely, still. I closed my eyes, determined to get up whenever it was daytime again.

Opening my eyes, the first thing I saw was Michael in the doorway, and I could see him, so it must have been daytime—or he’d turned on a light. Leone was laying much closer than he had been when I’d gone to sleep. I could feel the heat from his body.

Michael moved to turn off the t.v.

“Leave it,” Leone said in a groggy voice, “she doesn’t think as much when it’s on.”

Michael grinned and tucked his hands in his pockets. “I brought you some food.”

Leone lifted his head and looked at him. “Awesome, I’m starving.”

“I brought some porridge for you.”

I looked at him. “Really? I’m allowed to eat again?”

He nodded, “doctor said you could.”

“Wow, how sad is it that oatmeal sounds exciting?” I looked from Michael to Leone, they both had a strange look on their face. “You guys doing your mind thing?”

Michael’s eyebrow went up.

Leone lay back down and rubbed his hand over his face.

“So what’s going on that you don’t want me to know, is going on?” I kept looking from one to the other and then paused, and repeated the motions again, only more exaggerated. It didn’t hurt as much today. “I can move my head.” I whispered, hoping it lasted.

Sitting up, Leone looked down at me. “What about your hand?”

We both looked down at my hand as I straightened the fingers and then squeezed them.

“Still hurts, but not enough to want to scream though.” I frowned, “so what is going on?”

He sighed and moved to the edge of the bed. “Raf and Quint came back last night when you were sleeping.”

“From checking my apartment?” I debated for a second on trying to sit up then decided against it.

“Yeah. It’s been trashed.” He stood up and stretched.

I paused and watched that, then it sunk in. “Trashed?”

Michael crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe. “There wasn’t much left intact, but they did bring back anything that wasn’t destroyed.”

Leone turned around and looked down at me, his eyes assessing me carefully.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I wanted you to rest, because I know you’re going to get up today, no matter how much it hurts.” He shrugged, “there was nothing you could do about it then.”

I blew out a slow breath. “What good is it to wreck my place? Did they think I’d leave a detailed map of where I was?” I cocked my head, “who did it though? The only ones I worked with, you guys got.”

Leone stiffened and looked to Michael, “that’s a really good question.”

“Do you mind company for breakfast?” Michael pulled out his phone, “I’d like Victor and Troy’s input.”

Leone shrugged. I shook my head. “If you add tea and juice and maybe some toast, I’m game.” I grinned. “I’m hungry.”

Michael chuckled and walked out of the room, phone to his ear.

Leone came around the bed and squatted down. “Don’t push yourself moving. We’ll get the doctor here to check your leg beforehand.” He leaned forward and kissed my mouth softly, “I will figure out how to manage a bath for you.”

I sighed. “Fine, I’ll wait.” I rolled my eyes at him.

He smirked. “Thank you.” His eyes moved over my face for a second, then he straightened. “I’ll go get your food.”

A few hours later I’d been checked by a doctor, attended to by a nurse and magically scanned by Clairee and the greasy Romulus guy. Popular consensus was they may be using some sort of magical tracer to keep track of those helping team bad, and being a female increased the likeliness of that.

“Nothing?” Leone stood in the corner, his mood dark and serious.

Clairee shook her head, “nothing we can find. Not even a trace.”

I looked from her to him, then to Daxx who stood there scowling in the corner. “What about tech tracking?” She looked at me. “It’s simple, small, magic won’t find it.” I looked at Leone, “is there a way to scan for that?”

Clairee threw up her hands, “I don’t have a spell for that.”

Pulling out his phone, Leone tapped the screen. “Arius, get in touch with Elder—” he waved a hand, “the science one. Yes. Find out if they have something we can use to scan for chips or trackers.” He shook his head, “not magic, modern technology.” He enunciated it clearly. “Yeah. Hope not.” He hung up and then turned to look at Troy. “If there is one and it has led them here…”

“Shit.” Troy sighed. “Chase will be out for blood—more so than normal.”

Daxx looked from one to the other. “I don’t want to give up home base.”

Troy pulled her against his shoulder. “I know. Let’s see if it is fact first, before we wake them.”

My chest felt heavy with guilt, again. I’d caused so many problems.

Leone moved over to the bed and looked around at the others in the room. “Let me know when Arius gets here.”

Clairee nodded and walked out.

Troy’s eyebrows went up, he looked down at Daxx. “We’ve been dismissed.”

She laughed, “Or he’d like a few minutes with Bethany without all of us staring at them.”

He pulled her toward the door, “I’m sure that’s what it is. I don’t think I like being dismissed.”

The door closed.

Sitting down on the bed, he gave me a stern look. “Stop. None of this is your fault.”

I scowled at him; I’d figure out later how he knew what I was thinking. “It is though. If I hadn’t helped them—hadn’t done what I did to you, then we wouldn’t be here in this situation, we wouldn’t…”

“Have gotten Davis and the others working in that group.” He picked up my hand. “Or those at that bar.”

I closed my eyes, knowing all that to be true as well. Opening them, I looked at him. His dark eyes. “What I did to you—I have to live with that for the rest of my life. The pain I caused you, I can’t take that away.”

He shifted and moved over to lay beside me, looking down at me with so many emotions flashing through his eyes. “There’s some good in this. Some I’m struggling with.” His eyes moved to my mouth. “We still need to talk, but not until you’re well.” With a brief smile, he looked back to my eyes and held them with his.

I wasn’t sure what the look meant. “I…”

He shook his head to stop me. “No thinking.” Leaning down, he kissed me softly and then lingered just above my mouth. “I want to be here when Arius arrives, so kissing you right now is not a good idea.” Lifting his head, he smiled at me. “How about we take that cast off your arm and see how it is?”

My eyes widened. “Really?”

He nodded. “The doctor saying your skin looks good, means nothing to me. I need concrete proof that you’re healing, inside.”

I opened my mouth, then shut it and nodded.

Getting up, he walked around the bed and sat on the edge. He gently grasped the outer edges of the hardened cast then looked at me. “Ready?”

“Yes.” I braced myself for pain. Then was completely distracted when he was able to pull it apart like it was paper. It crumbled, pieces falling all over me and the bed, but I didn’t care. He carefully removed it all the way up my arm and then stood to pull the pieces over my shoulder open.

Brushing it all aside, he raised his eyebrows. “Go slow. A little at a time.”

I puffed out a few breaths, nervous that it wasn’t going to be healed enough. I flexed my wrist back and forth. Stiff muscles complained. Putting my other hand on my shoulder, I slowly lifted my arm. Moving in slow motion I was able to lift it about six inches before I felt a stabbing pain in my shoulder. I sucked in a breath. “It’s sore, but nothing like it was.”

He sat back down and ran his hand gently up my arm, in a gentle massage. “It’s going to take some time yet.” His eyes flicked to my face for a moment then back to his hand. “Considering the way it looked when you fell—it’s healed a lot. Maybe a sling for a few more days, so you don’t forget and try too much.”

I nodded. “Yeah. Think we can try me sitting up?”

He smirked, “you’re going to push it aren’t you?”

I shrugged carefully. “I am bathing today.” I left out that with the catheter removed, I’d be using the bathroom like a big girl again.

Sighing he stood up. “Let me help from the other side, so you can use your good arm.”

I waited for him to go around and get on the other side of the bed.

“If you can’t sit up yet, don’t force it for a bath. I’ll stand holding you under the shower spray, clothes and all, if that’s what it takes.”

I grinned. “Okay. Let’s do it.” Inhaling slowly, I waited for him to reach under me to help lift me up on the bed.

Using my good arm caused my ribs to hurt, but it was manageable after the last few days.

When I was sitting up, I was out of breath. He tucked pillows in behind me and then I slowly leaned back.

“You’re white as a ghost right now.” He frowned. “No bath until you don’t look like you’re going to pass out.”

I nodded, “I’m staying just like this for a while.”

I was still struggling with the head rush and catching my breath when the door opened, and Arius walked in.

He paused and looked at the pieces of cast lying all over the bed then smiled. “Break it over his head?”

Leone gave him a blank look. “Did you bring something?”

Arius nodded, “yeah, Elder Arian said it’s simple to use. If it lights up there’s something under her skin, if not then she’s clean.” He held up a small device that looked like a hand-held metal detector.

Leone stood up and held out his hand. Turning to look at me, he held it back out to his brother. “I’ll help her lean forward, you scan.”

Arius nodded and went around the bed.

Troy and Daxx stood in the doorway, watching.

“Breathe.” Leone whispered.

I realized I was holding my breath; afraid they’d find something. He ran it over my back, both arms and then Leone leaned me back against the pillows and took it from him. I watched as he slowly ran it over my abdomen and then both legs. No lights came on.

Leaning back on his heels on the bed, he held it out to Arius. “That’s good, but back to how they know.”

Daxx sighed, sounding relieved. “Did the guys check for cameras?”

Arius looked up from the detector he’d been studying. “You think they’d leave them?”

She shrugged. “I would, but if they did have cameras there, they already know she’s with us. I’m sure Raf and Quinton were easy to see.”

Leone sat down and pulled one knee up, resting his arm on it as he fidgeted with his hand and looked at the floor. Lifting his hand, he dropped it and turned to Troy. “Can they go back to look, take Tim and a few guards with them? We have to know.”

“I’ll go see if I can get anything out of Davis or Lou.” Arius inclined his head to me briefly. “Good to see you upright.”

I smiled.

When he left, I looked at Daxx. “I need a stool our height.”

She gave me an odd look.

I waved my hand toward the hall. “So I can sit in the shower without having to bend.”

Her eyes went wide with understanding. “I’ll find something.” She looked at my legs under the covers. “Cast still on?”

I nodded.

“Okay I’ll see if I can come up with something to wrap it.” She shrugged, “had my fair share of them.”

“Don’t remind me of the risks you take when hunting.” Troy said, pulling her closer to him.

“Can you guys wait a few minutes?” Leone rubbed the back of his neck. “I want to give Beth more blood…”

“We’ll be out here, just call if you need us.” Troy pulled Daxx back out the door.

Leone started brushing the plaster onto the floor. “I’m going to have to bring a cleaning crew in here to restore Alona’s apartment.” Getting up, he grabbed the edge of the cover and flipped it up to knock the rest onto the floor.

“It will be good physio once I can move more. To clean this up.”

Pausing he looked at the stained carpet. “I think the carpet is a lost cause.”

I studied the bloody boot prints. “You might be right.”

Climbing back on the bed, he sat beside me, facing me. “More blood, rest and then we’ll negotiate about showering.”

I smirked, “deal.”

With a nod, he pulled his t-shirt off and tossed it beside him. Reaching down, he pulled a blade from under the cuff of his jeans.

“Have you always had to be ready to fight?”

Shifting closer, he paused and looked down at me. “Not always, but being prepared is always necessary. The royal family has many enemies.”

I hadn’t thought of that. I’d actually forgotten he was a prince. “So, do they call you prince Leone?”

He snorted, “They better not, or they’ll find this stuck in them.” He wiggled the knife between us. “I use my title, the enforcer.” He shrugged, “prince sounds so…”

“Royal?”

“Yeah.” Taking a deep breath, his expression grew serious. “This is going to be harder.”

I frowned. “What is?”

“You, being upright and not as—broken looking.”

I realized he meant being close to me. “Oh.” I took a deep breath and exhaled slow, trying to think of how he must feel. I couldn’t. “I believe in you.”

His brown eyes held mine for a long time. “None of my brothers do.” His expression became thoughtful. “I’ve caused them a lot of grief and worry. When I was going through withdrawal—the first time, I’ve had a few incidents…”

“They love you, unconditionally.” I whispered and touched his jaw, so he’d look at me and see I did believe in him.

He looked at me, his eyes flicking to my mouth for a moment.

“If it makes you feel better, you look at my mouth far more then my neck.”

Snorting, he shook his head. “That may be true, but even I don’t know which I want more right now.” Moving closer, he leaned over me, resting one arm on the other side of me.

The light mood faded as he sliced into his own chest. Reaching out, he cupped the back of my head and lifted me closer as I ran my tongue over the cut. He inhaled sharply when I closed my mouth around it. The rise and fall of his chest made my heart speed up. I knew without looking his eyes would be red, his mouth filled with fangs.

When it sealed, I rested my forehead against his heated skin. Lowering my head back to the pillow, his red eyes moved over my face. Reaching up, I put my finger on his bottom lip so he’d open his mouth. When he did I carefully touched the tip of a fang. He made a soft noise then bit my finger gently.

“I have to go.” He whispered.

I nodded, knowing his demons were riding him hard. “I’ll be here when you get back.”

Looking at my mouth again, he stood up quickly and moved toward the door.

“Go, brother. We’re here.”

Troy stood to the side so Leone could go by him. Turning, Leone disappeared from my sight.

“It’s going to take him some time.” Troy said softly.

I looked at this man studying me quietly, this king and brother to the man I tormented. “I didn’t expect him to help me…”

Cocking his head to the side he gave me an odd look. “I don’t think there’s a choice, but he’s certainly proven he’s stronger than any of us anticipated.”

I had no idea what he meant. It must have reflected in my expression, because he smirked.

“He’s had much more warning than you in this, he just chose to ignore the prophecy.”

“Prophecy? Like prophecy of the future?” I didn’t know if it meant something different in their realm.

“Yes.” Crossing his arms over his chest, he gave me a serious look. “Then again none of us had seen this situation in any of it.”

“Which? Me being human or my helping to kidnap your brother?” I honestly wasn’t sure if he’d be for or against me when it came to deciding whether I was going to be locked up.

He smirked, “all of the above. Leone thinks he has a choice in the outcome, but really, he doesn’t. Fate doesn’t allow for that.”

“Troy? Help me get this into the bathroom.” Daxx called down the hall.

Looking over his shoulder, he gave me a brief nod and walked out.

I exhaled the breath I’d been holding. I looked at the t.v. and for the first time ever, I didn’t feel like watching it. Even if I could get on my feet, where could I go? I had no place to live. I sighed and closed my eyes. I couldn’t run anyway; it wasn’t in me. Blowing out a steady breath, I tried to think this through.

“Why is it every time I leave, I come back to heavy thoughts and emotions all over the place?”

I opened my eyes to look at Leone. “Was just talking to your brother and trying to figure out what he was talking about.”

Leone cocked and eyebrow at me. “What did he say? Troy is usually very easy to understand.”

“Something about prophecy and none of you anticipated this situation, and you don’t have a choice with the outcome.” I hoped he’d laugh and tell me it was nonsense, but instead he blew out a breath in the way you do when you don’t want to face the truth, or your about to give someone bad news.

Before he could say anything, Troy came in. “Quinton just called. They went back to the apartment. It was cleaned out. The mess, everything.”

Leone looked from me to him. “The landlord?”

Troy shook his head, “Raf went and asked.”

“What? Why—why would they do that?” I tried to sit up and then my ribs objected. “There was nothing there connected to them.”

Leone rubbed the back his neck. “There is no reason.”

I groaned. “As soon as I can get up I’m going to go stab a knife in Marcus’ heart.” Both men looked at me.

“I’m really starting to like you.” Daxx stood beside Troy and nodded. She touched his arm and looked at Leone. “Bathroom is all set when she’s up to showering.” She smiled at me. “I left some comfortable clothes and a robe in there too.”

“Thank you.” I gave Leone a pleading look, “I’m hoping to give it a try in a few hours.”

He sighed and looked to Troy, who was smirking.

“Michael is out with Victor checking some locations, so if you need anything I’m available.”

Leone nodded. “Thanks.” He motioned to the carpet. “Maybe see if Mitz has any ideas?”

Troy looked at the carpet with a serious look. “As soon as you bring Bethany over, we’ll get someone working on it.”

My brain paused on bringing Bethany over. The only reason I could think of that happening was to lock me up.

“I’m not rushing it. Her ribs couldn’t handle throwing up right now.” Leone gave me a brief appraisal, “yeah, we’ll take another day and see how she’s doing.”

With a nod, Troy patted his shoulder. “We’ll see you later.”

After they left there was an awkwardness that hadn’t been there before. I wanted answers, but was afraid to ask the questions. I wasn’t sure, but I think he was in the same place. “You don’t have to stay here, if you have other things to do.” I looked down at my legs. “I’m not going far.”

“I go offer to help anyone and they’ll just send me back here. I’m a little distracted.” He gave me a gentle look. “Did you want the t.v. on? Maybe take a short nap?”

“I don’t know if I can. The idea that those people were in my place, and then cleared it all out like I don’t exist creeps me out.”

Going around the bed, he sat on the side with my good arm. “You know you’re safe here, right?”

“I know. I just…” I couldn’t explain it. Feeling like I was being stalked, and worried about being locked away at the same time.

Laying down beside me, he put his head on the same pillow. “I can feel your fear.” Gently, he slid me down a bit and put his hand on my hip, so I’d roll into him. It was the first time he wasn’t doing all the work for me.

It took me a few tries to get onto my side without jarring anything. Once there, I realized how close we were. Carefully I moved my arm and rested my hand on his chest. It felt right, there was no awkwardness.

“Rest. I’ll be right here.” He whispered against my hair.

“I don’t know why you torture yourself being this close to me.” I could feel how fast his heart was pounding beneath my hand.

“Close to you, away from you, I’m still tormented, Beth.” His voice was barely a whisper.

When I’d had to find a head to get into, I couldn’t have imagined why I’d been able to get into his. “I believe in you, superman.” Closing my eyes, I rested my forehead against his chest and focused on the warmth from his body.

“Are you ready?”

I inhaled sharply. “Yes. No.” With my arm shaking, I wrapped it tighter around his neck.

“Slowly, don’t put any weight on it until we get you standing.”

I nodded, afraid to speak. With great care, moving an inch at a time, he straightened up while puling me up with him. Muscles objected as I stood, and they were expected to work again and hold me up. I didn’t put any pressure on my damaged leg yet, for fear I’d scream and he’d put me back in the bed.

“I’m going to try to support some of your weight by holding your hips, let me know if my hands hurt there.”

I nodded, still too breathless to speak. He moved his hands to my hips and the first thing I thought was his hands were huge, spanning almost all the way around me.

“Okay, keep your arm around my neck and try a bit of weight on your foot.” His spoke softly beside my ear. “Don’t push it, you only need to balance.”

Holding my breath, I let my foot touch the floor and leaned to get some of my weight shifted. There was pain, shooting ones, moving up and down my leg. I gripped his neck harder.

“If it’s too much, don’t push it.” His hands tightened their hold on me. “I’ll carry you to the bathroom, then you can get your balance again.” Without warning I was scooped up into his arms and we were walking to the bathroom. “I’d rather take a blade to the gut then feel your pain.” He said giving me a brief hard look. “I’m such an idiot.” He continued, “I should have gotten you out of the building and not just left you there…”

I put my hand over his mouth. “You’re blaming yourself for some idiot bouncing me out the window?” I blinked and looked at him again. “It’s not your fault. It’s not my fault. Trust me, even if I had of been on the ground, something still would have happened. A building falling on me, or whatever.” I grabbed his chin and jerked his head so he was looking at me. “Not your choice, not your fault. Clear?”

Dark eyes stared at me and I was just about to bark some more when he gave an abrupt nod.

Exhaling I looked to see where we were. “The bathroom is as big as the bedroom.” I said feeling completely disarmed now. Then I felt awkward, “uh, do you think Daxx is busy right now.”

He gave me an odd look.

I pointed to the toilet, “I’d like to get out of this with some dignity left.”

Nodding, he moved to the vanity and lowered me slowly. The counter space was as big as the island in in her kitchen. He set me so my bad leg was on it, then pulled his phone out of his pocket. “Daxx, can you come over for a minute and help Beth in the bathroom?” He nodded and hung up his phone.

“I was just about to pop over anyway,” she came walking in holding up a cane with four legs on the bottom, “I know, geriatric, but it’s only for a few days to help you keep your balance.” She put in on the floor and demonstrated it. “Took a while to find one that’s adjustable because I wasn’t sure of your height.” She looked at Leone then to me and set it down. “First things first.” She motioned to the door, “out.”

Leone gave me a hesitant look and then walked out.

Closing the door she gave me a wide-eyed look. “He’s more intense than normal.”

I sighed, “Yeah, he thinks it’s his fault I fell.”

She snorted, “Men.” Coming over, she put the cane on the floor and then gave me a nod. “Let’s get you up.”

I grasped her shoulder with my good hand. “Thank you. I’ve had to go for an hour and didn’t know how to bring it up to Leone.”

“I understand. They have this built in need to coddle us.” She paused as my good foot hit the floor. “I’ll balance you, grab the cane then put your weight on it.” I did. “You just have to stand your ground or you’re going to be carried around for months, whether you need it or not.”

I barely acknowledged as she spoke, I focused on keeping the weight off my leg. I wouldn’t be running today, but I was up and moving an inch at a time. I hissed out a breath. “Muscles are not happy their holiday is over.”

She laughed, “They can suck it up.”

It felt like an hour before I was finally at the toilet.

She motioned to the door. “I’ll be right outside. I’ll leave it cracked open and inch in case you need me.” She looked around the room, “who knows if this room is soundproof as well.”

“Thank you, really.”

When she stepped out I heaved a sigh of relief. Never again would I take something as simple as walking for granted.

I was debating on calling for backup to get up again, when I heard hushed voices. Struggling more than I’d like, I managed to get to my feet. Or, more accurately to foot and cane and shuffled to the counter to get the robe. Pulling the shirt over my head proved difficult with one arm that wouldn’t go up all the way, but I managed, and dropped the shirt to the floor, then pulled on the soft robe. I didn’t want to eavesdrop, but I didn’t want to interrupt either.

“You don’t understand, Daxx…” Leone sounded stressed. “After—I was afraid to be close to any female, even from Alterealm…” His voice was shaky. “I thought that part of me was dead, to be honest. Until I saw Beth.” He made a sound of frustration, “How messed up is that? I come to after being drugged, I’m being held captive and the first thought in my fucked-up head is how gorgeous she is…”

“Yeah, uh… did—do you want me to call Troy?” Daxx sounded so uncomfortable having this conversation with Leone.

“No. No, I can’t have this talk with any of my brothers.” He snorted, “Can you imagine how that would go over? Hey, so I thought I was gay—turns out I’m not.” He growled his annoyance.

“Yeah, okay, I-I get that.” Daxx’s voice did not exude that confidence she normally had. “But it’s good that, well that—you know now, right?”

“I suppose.”

“Okay then…”

“It’s great, except that I can’t go near her for fear I’ll end up killing her by feeding. Look at when you guys found me…”

“That was dire circumstances, your body was starving, you weren’t in your right mine.”

“You don’t get it,” his voice was low, “that is my headspace when it comes to human essence.”

“Oh. Oh. But you’re so good around Criss and I now.” Her voice faltered.

“You smell like my brothers now, both of you, the mating changed your underlying scent.” He explained.

“Weird, but not, all at the same time.” Daxx sighed. “I don’t think you’ll hurt her. I don’t.” She assured him. “Let’s get her well and then…” She cleared her throat, “then there are other matters…”

“Yeah, okay. Thanks.”

My heart was beating so fast in my chest, I almost forgot about my leg and let go of the cane. “Daxx…” I called out, being a coward and not wanting to know what the other matters were.

Daxx came in, then smiled. “Yay, for being up.” She looked at my leg, then pointed to the plastic on the counter. “I brought that to wrap it in, so you can shower.”

“Thank you.” The emotion was so close to the surface, I could barely whisper.

“Okay.” She nodded and started to open the door, “do you want me to stay and help you shower?”

I shook my head.

“I’ll help her.” Leone pushed the door open and then stopped when he saw I was standing, shaking arm and all, wearing a white robe.

“Okay.” Turning, Daxx gave him a gentle smile. “I’m going home to harass my mate about letting me help with the search.

“Good luck with that.” Leone said with a sarcastic tone.

After she left, he came over and without warning lifted me back to the counter. “You’re standing there shaking like you’re going to collapse.”

I went with it. Couldn’t tell him it was nerves from what I’d overheard. I glanced to the mirror beside me and then looked up at him. “Can I see my back?”

His brows drew together. “It’s still…”

“I know what it looked like, the girls took a picture and showed me.”

Heaving a big sigh, he nodded and carefully shifted my leg, so he could turn me on the counter.

Holding the front of the robe, I pulled my arms out with his help. Turning my head, I watched him slowly lower it and undo the wrap that had been supporting my ribs. When my back was exposed, I just sat there. It was yellow and dark brown all over, there were still some scrapes that hadn’t healed.

“The bruising took a few days to come out.” He said softly. “It’s looking a lot better.”

I nodded and just sat there looking at it. I knew it was bad, the state I was in after the fall. With my arm, shoulder, leg and ribs… but my back, it painted the whole picture for me again like it had when Daxx had taken a picture of it.

Keeping his hand on my stomach to make sure I didn’t slide off, he leaned down behind me. My heart stumbled in my chest when his red eyes met mine in the mirror.

“I don’t know if my saliva helps with bruising, but just in case.” He licked my back gently.

I sucked in a breath, not because of pain or discomfort, but because it so caring and intimate. I could only handle a moment of it. “Why are you doing this?” I whispered, emotions threatening to overcome me.

He paused and looked at me in the mirror again. “I don’t have a choice. I can’t see you like this.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Stop. Please.”

He straightened and looked down at me.

“You told me there is always a choice.” I remembered how angry he’d been when he said it to me when he was a captive in that house.

His red eyes moved over my face slowly, “I was wrong.” Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. When he opened them again, brown eyes looked down at me. “Let’s get your leg wrapped so you can shower.”

Biting my lip so I wouldn’t cry, I nodded. I didn’t know why I felt like crying, but I did. One moment I was fine, then I wanted to scream, and then, without warning, tears hovered.

“Stop thinking.” He said as he worked the plastic up over my foot. “Don’t you ever think happy thoughts? It’s always so heavy…”

“Like what? Rainbows and puppies?” I watched him as he worked up my leg. “One is pretty colors and the other fluffy and pees everywhere. Is that better?”

He glanced to my face, a slight smirk on his face. “Much. Thank you.”

“Bet you’ll be happy when you don’t have to be connected to me and drown in my heavy thoughts.”

Securing the plastic around my thigh, he straightened up and looked down at me. “Will I? Be happy?”

I shrugged, “why wouldn’t you be? I’m sure there’s a list longer than I am tall of things you’d rather be doing.”

Shifting my leg, he turned me so I could get up again. I pulled the robe back up and wrapped it around me. When my foot was on the floor, he looked down at me. “No. Not a long list at all.” He smirked.

I realized that as I hunched to lean on the cane, I was even shorter and his comment was referencing my lack of height. “Ha ha.” I rolled my eyes at him. “How are we doing this?” I looked at the shower door.

“Daxx has a stool in there for you. I’ll get you situated on it then you can take as long as you like.” He held my hips as I started to move toward it slowly. I wobbled a few times and touched the wrong foot on the floor and tensed. “Slow. It will still be there when you reach it.”