Chapter 13

Two days later I stood in the middle of a long hall, leaning on my cane, completely lost. Leone had brought me over yesterday and I hadn’t seen much of him since. He’d come and check on me, give me blood, and then was gone again. It wasn’t hard to figure out he was distancing himself from me. I sighed, looking back in the direction I’d come from. At least he was waiting until I was recovered before locking me up.

“I recognize that ‘which way’ look.” Michael came walking around a corner. “Where are you trying to be?”

“Practice room.” I sighed. “I’m supposed to meet Alona there to help with exercises to loosen up my leg.”

He looked at my leg. “Still tight?”

I nodded. “Bending is still really hard.”

He rubbed a hand on his jaw. “Considering the damage done, I say you’re doing great.”

I shrugged. “At least my shoulder is better.” I motioned down the hall. “That way to the practice room?”

He shook his head and pointed to the hall he’d come down. “Come on, I’ll make sure you get there.”

I sighed. “Is there a pocket map or something to these halls?”

He chuckled, “we should hang some ‘you are here’ signs up.”

I grinned. “Yes, you should.”

We walked in and both stopped. Alona was on the mat, swirling a nun-chuck in each hand. I held my breath watching as she went through several moves, then one went flying.

“Drat.” Turning she noticed us. “I’m glad you weren’t closer.” Going over she picked it up and shrugged. “I decided I needed to reacquaint myself with these, in case I need to bail out my mate again when he’s stupid enough to fight with his body sliced open.”

Michael chuckled. “Good luck with that.” He motioned to me. “Found her lost in the halls.”

She rolled her eyes. “I still second guess myself in those halls. We need a phone app for them or something.”

Michael sighed, “I’ll see if we can come up with something.” Walking away from me, he motioned to the weapons in her hand. “Are you able to use those without backlash?”

Alona looked down at them. “For the most part. I don’t exactly stand around after I wack someone and ask, ‘how do you feel?’” She smiled.

He nodded and then glanced over his shoulder at me. “What…”

Crissy came running in the door on the far side. “It’s not a broken clock! It’s frozen…” she frowned, “stopped.” Shaking her head, she grinned. “I have to get to the library.” She ran across the large space and out the door we’d come in.

I looked from Michael to Alona. They were both smiling.

“This could get interesting.” Michael said quietly. “I’ll leave you ladies to it; I need to go see if Leone and Raf had any luck.”

I started moving to the mat, slowly.

“Oh?” Alona walked over and hung the chucks back on the wall. “Luck with?”

Michael sighed, “Another possible location.” He glanced to me and then back to her. “Troy saw a few landmarks in Lou’s head so we’ve been narrowing it down.”

I stopped moving, my mind pausing on the fact that Troy could see in someone’s head. “What kind of landmarks?”

“Unfortunately, common ones.” He sighed and motioned to the door. “Here’s hoping they had some luck.”

We watched him walk out. I turned to Alona. “I might be able to help.”

She gave me a curious glance. “Help how?”

“If I could get in Lou’s head,” that made me shutter thinking about the sweaty bald guy, “I could get him to lead us to these landmarks Troy saw.”

“I thought that was difficult for you to maintain?”

I leaned on the cane and waved my hand around. “It’s better than doing nothing. Clairee is going to help me later, to see if we can find a way I can use my magic without it draining me.”

Alona stood there, her hands on her hips. “If she can…” she made a hesitant face, “talking the men into letting him out to do this,” sigh blew out a loud breath, “that will take some doing.” Motioning to the mat, she nodded. “Let’s work on getting you in shape, then if Clairee can figure something out to help you—we’ll get the other women involved and see if we can persuade them.

I was soaked in sweat, lying flat on my back on the mat when the doors banged open and Leone stomped toward me. He was dressed in black from neck to foot, pointy weapons attached all over the place.

“Why are you exhausting yourself? I can feel it.” He kept coming.

Shifting so I could get up, I reached for the cane, only to have him smack it across the mat, and bent down to help me up.

Michael and Rafael came running in the door, then stopped abruptly.

When my feet were on the floor, he held my arm and lifted my chin up with his other hand. I placed a hand on his chest to keep my balance.

“You just keep pushing it.” His voice was low and vibrating.

Jerking my face out of his grasp, I scowled up at him. “What else am I supposed to do? Lay in bed and look at the ceiling?” I didn’t know why he was so angry.

“You don’t need to exhaust yourself.” His eyes were turning red.

“Leone…” Michael said quietly.

Growling, Leone glanced over his shoulder at his brother.

I looked around his large body and shook my head. “It’s okay. He won’t hurt me.” The expression on his brothers’ faces said they weren’t convinced. Looking up at him, I rubbed my hand across his chest. “What gives, superman?”

His red eyes moved over my face slowly. I could feel the tension draining from him.

“I don’t like feeling you this tired. You don’t need to push so hard.”

I nodded, considering what he said. “I don’t like feeling broken.” I stared into his eyes. “The helplessness that goes with it.” I sighed, “I know you understand that feeling, Leone…” I felt odd having the others watching us. Knowing he could get even angrier, I took a chance and connected with him inside his mind. It took very little effort with him right here where I could touch him. Leone, I need this. I said inside his mind.

His jaw tightened, then he blew out a breath and the tension eased. Leaning down, he brushed his lips over mine. “I like how you say my name.” He straightened. “Stop using your magic until you’re stronger.” His eyes were brown again. Looking over his shoulder to where he’d sent the cane flying, he glanced to Rafael.

His brother ran over to it and picked it up, then walked toward us. “You’re like a lion tamer, calming the raging beast, sister.” He grinned and held out the cane to Leone.

Pulling it from his hand, Leone sighed. “You’re an idiot, Raf.”

Rafael laughed. “It’s part of my charm.”

Leone snorted, “If you say so.” Setting the cane beside me, he touched my cheek softly. “Don’t push it too far, okay?”

I nodded.

“I’ll see you at dinner.” He backed away a few feet and then turned on his heel and walked with long strides to the door.

After the men had left, Alona cleared her throat. “I need wine after that. Do you like wine?”

Leaning on the cane, I lifted my shoulders carefully. “I don’t know, I’ve never had it before.”

Her mouth dropped open. “Oh, well, we’ll have to correct that atrocity then.” She waved her phone. “It will be a girls only adventure.” She grinned. “Gods know, we need it right now.”

~

I lost track of time, and really didn’t care. The wine sampling turned into much more. Currently the four of us were in swimsuits in the tub in the room I was staying in. I still couldn’t believe we all fit in the tub with room to spare.

Crissy held her dripping phone up and giggled. “Vic is going to be so mad I killed another phone.”

Daxx laughed, “at least he replaces them now.”

She nodded and set it on the ledge beside the tub.

“I think I might be tipsy.” Alona said and then laughed. “I’ve never had a tub party before.”

I raised the glass and toasted the air. “I think I like wine.” I looked at it in the glass. “The second one not so much, but this one is…”

Daxx’s phone rang, halting all movement. She picked it up. “It’s the mate.” She chortled and answered it. “Hey, mate.” She shook her head, “no, I’m in a tub right now. Hey, how have I never noticed the tub has jets?” Her cheeks darkened. “No, I’m wearing a swimsuit.” She rolled her eyes at me, “because I’m not alone.” She laughed, “Calm down caveman, I’m with the girls.” She reached over and picked up her glass. “In Bethany’s room.” She smirked. “Maybe a few glasses.” She looked at her phone. “I think our girl time is about to get interrupted.

Before any of us could speak, Troy and Chase walked in. They paused, wearing identical expressions as they took in the bottles on the floor beside the tub, and the tray of cheese and crackers Mitz had delivered.

“Unwinding after a hard night, beloved?” Chase smiled at her.

She waved a hand around. “Something like that.” Her eyes widened, “Bethany had never tasted wine.”

His jaw dropped in an exaggerated way, “and you felt you needed to rectify that.”

“Yes. Immediately.” She laughed.

Troy shook his head. “This explains why I was picking up such odd sensations.”

“Oh,” Daxx froze, “crap, I forgot about that.”

Crissy giggled.

“Have either of you seen…” Victor came in looking frantic then stopped abruptly.

Crissy lifted up her phone. “My phone drowned, Vic.”

“I see. This explains why you’re not answering.” He looked around, “And why I’m lightheaded.”

“I’m sorry,” she sighed, “I was only going to taste one, but each glass tasted better and better.”

He smirked, “I’m sure it did.” He looked to his brothers then back to us. “How did we come to be at a wine tasting in the tub, together?”

I lifted my glass. “That would be my fault. I was sore after the workout, so we decided I should soak.” I motioned to the door. “And thanks to the magic closet, we were able to soak together.”

“And here I thought you were resting and that’s why I couldn’t feel the pain.” Leone stood in the door. He hadn’t been there a second ago.

I looked from him to my leg. “It feels much better.” I paused, then laughed, “Actually all of me does.”

Chase pouted to his mate. “You could have invited all of us.”

Alona looked at us in the tub and shook her head. “I think your being here would put a damper on girl time—not to mention I don’t think eight of us would fit.”

Troy shrugged. “We could have used the real hot tub.”

“We have a hot tub?” Daxx stood, water splashing everywhere, then she wobbled. Troy moved over and scooped her up into his arms. Water dripped down him, but he didn’t seem to care. Daxx wrapped her arms around his neck. “I think I’m tanked.”

He chuckled. “Yes, you definitely are.” He glanced around. “See everyone in an hour for dinner.” He walked out, still carrying her.

Alona started to stand; Chase was right there helping her out. “I need to do my hair.”

“Mmm.” Was his only reply as he picked her up and left the bathroom.

Shaking his head, still smiling, Victor came over and picked up Crissy. She still held her glass and phone.

She looked over his shoulder and giggled. “I had fun. We need to do this again.”

After they left, Leone stood leaning against the vanity, his arms crossed over his chest. He looked around the bathroom “I think the mess follows you around.”

I chuckled.

“I came to wake you, and try to persuade you to have dinner with us in the dining room.”

I frowned, “That’s family time, I don’t want to intrude”

He raised an eyebrow. “You just had a bathtub party with my sisters in law, I think dinner at the same table will be fine.”

“Good point.” I set the glass down and tried to figure out how I was getting up.

Sighing, he came over and flipped the toggle to drain the tub, then picked me up in one smooth motion.

“You’re going to be soaked now.” I wrapped my arms around his neck.

He grinned, “I can change.” Moving over to the counter, he set me on it and grabbed a towel, pausing briefly to look at the bikini I was wearing.

I blushed. “That closet out there is like magic, whatever you wish for you’ll find in it.” I grinned.

Chuckling, he wrapped the towel around me, then picked up another and started to dry my hair for me. I don’t know why I sat there and let him, but I did.

“I’m going to miss this.” I said without thinking first.

He glanced to me.

I shrugged, “not the broken body part, but,” I motioned between us, “this.”

Straightening, he patted my neck and shoulders with the towel. “Missing it implies it’s going to go away.” His hand paused, his dark eyes holding mine. “You want it to stop?”

I shook my head, trying to puzzle out how he came to that conclusion. Thought was more slurred then my words right now. “No. I don’t, but…”

Wrapping the towel around my shoulders, he pulled the ends and held them. “You’re not going anywhere, Bethany. Know that.”

Just like that. That fast, my happy drunkenness was gone, and reality was smacking me in the face. It had been the first time he’d said it aloud, what we both knew. I wasn’t leaving this place. I took a ragged breath, but couldn’t find the words to speak, so I just nodded and stared at the wet marks on his t-shirt.

“Hey,” he released the towel and tipped my chin up with a gentle touch. There was pain in his eyes and my breath caught in my throat to see it. “No thinking.” He whispered as he bent down and kissed me gently. Lifting his mouth away, his breath caressed over my lips. “You destroy me.” He said in a rough voice, then took my mouth with such a force that I could only yield to his demanding kiss.

Grasping my hair, he pulled my head back slowly and looked down at me with red eyes. “You should tell me to get out now.” His breathing was ragged.

I panted, feeding off the waves of lust pouring from him, “and if I don’t want to?” I held his eyes. I didn’t know if it was the wine or the desperation I felt inside, but I wanted to give him—something that would place me far apart from everyone else in his life. I wanted him to know he had my trust. That I had faith in his strength. “Leone, feed off me.”

He made a wounded sound in his throat. “I can’t.”

I ran my hands up his chest, ignoring the twinges in my shoulder. “You won’t hurt me.”

Glancing at my throat he inhaled. “You don’t know that.”

I touched his chin. “I feel it. I was in your head; you’re not going to hurt me.” I titled my head to the side, exposing my bare neck to him. “You’ve cared for me with such compassion, been so gentle. You won’t hurt me.”

His breathing became uneven, his chest fighting to keep up. Every muscle in his body was so tense he was shaking. Red eyes held mine as he moved closer. “I shouldn’t.”

“You need to know you can do this. That you’re strong enough to do this.” I encouraged.

Moving closer, he rubbed his cheek against mine. “You’ll have to stop me…”

His hot breath was against my neck. “You won’t hurt me.”

I felt his lips against my throat. Reaching, I grabbed the back of his head gently and held it. Letting him go at his own pace.

He hissed out a breath and bit into me.

The familiar feeling moved through me as the eufori was released.

With a soft growl, he pulled my hips, so I slid to the edge of the counter. Grasping my hair, he held my head and put his other hand behind me to pull me tight against him.

I moaned when he pushed against my tender back.

He jerked his head up and stumbled back a few feet. His hand over his mouth. Panting he looked at me with panic in his eyes. “I’m sorry.” He growled and then spun around and hit the door with such a force I heard the wood crack.

“Leone…” I was too lightheaded from the wine, eufori, or probably both, to get off the counter without falling on my face. “Leone…”

He turned and looked at me, rage on his face. “I should be locked in a fucking cage.” He growled.

I shook my head. “No it’s not…”

Michael and Quinton came running in.

Leone growled a low warning when the stepped between us.

I held up my hand. “It’s okay. It’s not what you think. He hugged me and hurt my back.”

Quinton looked like he was ready to fight if needed.

Michael looked at my neck, concern etched on his face.

I put my hand up and touched the stickiness, then looked at my hand. I was still bleeding. Holding my hand over it, I looked Leone. “Leone…look at me.”

His red eyes zeroed in on me.

“I’m okay.” I said softly. “It was my back, not you.” He looked at my hand. I gave him a slight nod. “You need to close it.”

He heaved a breath and looked to Michael.

“I’m here.” He nodded at his brother.

“You won’t hurt me, Leone.” I whispered.

With hesitant steps, he moved in my direction. I held out my hand, not taking my eyes off his. His large hand engulfed mine and he stepped closer. With my hand still holding my neck, I moved my head to the side.

“Leone,” I whispered in his mind. “I’m not your kryptonite.”

With a shaking hand, he held my head and leaned down. I moved my hand. With careful movements, his tongue brushed over my skin a few times. After three or four more swipes, he kissed my neck and straightened. Resting his forehead against mine for a moment, he fought to catch his breath.

I looked into those red eyes, so many emotions were visible I wanted to cry.

Moving away quickly, he shoved past his brothers and left.

Quinton sighed loudly and slumped his shoulders in relief.

I wrapped the towel around me, trying to figure out what next.

“Did he feed off you?” Michael asked.

I nodded. “Yes. I told him to.”

Michael’s face filled with shock. “Why? Why would you do that to him?”

“Because,” I glanced to see the same wide-eyed look on Quinton’s face. “I wanted him to know he’s stronger than all of you think he is.”

Both stared at me for a long awkward moment. Michael inclined his head. “I suggest you wear more than a towel to dinner.” He pointed to the door. “Turn right, first left, third door.” He turned and walked out.

Quinton jolted and went over to the tub and grabbed my cane. He set it in front of me and then rushed out the door.

Sighing, I leaned back and then winced and sat up again. “Why does it feel like I’m a guest at the last supper?”

Looking at the cane, I eased down off the counter. Glancing around at the bottles on the floor, then the broken door, I shook my head. “I’m a menace.” Turning I hobbled out to the magic closet to find clothes.

~

I made it to the left turn as Leone came around it. He gave me an odd look for a moment and then motioned down the hall. “I wasn’t sure if you knew the way.”

I kept walking. “Michael blurted out some directions before he left.”

He walked patiently beside me. “They’re looking at me like I’ve grown two heads.” He cleared his throat. “Sorry if I scared you. I was high as a kite.”

I grinned. “Hopefully it’s because they all feel stupid for thinking less of you all these years.” I glanced up at him.

He shrugged. “Their support early on is what got me through, but after a decade…”

“It became smothering?”

He nodded. “Yeah.” Stopping, he put his hand on my shoulder. “But you—that was a stupidly risky move today. It could have gone horribly wrong, almost did go horribly wrong.”

“I knew you wouldn’t hurt me, Leone.” I started walking again. I could feel his eyes on me.

“Why did you do it? If you wanted eufori…”

I shook my head. “I didn’t. That’s not why.” I looked up at him.

His brows furrowed. “Then why?”

I could see the dining room door, so I stopped. “I wanted to give you something—after all I put you through, you still cared for me. I wanted to give you back your confidence in yourself. I know I don’t deserve the leniency you gave me but…”

He jolted like I’d just smack him. “You think I’m locking you in the cells?” He shook his head and opened his mouth, then snapped it shut. “Unbelievable.” He turned and went into the dining room.

I followed him in as quickly as I could manage. I stopped in the door and all eyes were on me. Muttering to himself, Leone sat in a chair halfway down the table. He gave me a hard-edged look as he picked up a bowl and started piling food on his plate.

Huffing out a breath, I went and sat at the end of the table. I paused and looked at the others for a moment.

Chase waved his mug around. “Why is sparky looking at us like we’re going to bite her?” Alona shook her head and he stopped.

Leone glared at me down the table. “You saved my life—more than once.”

I glared back at him. “I’m the reason it needed saving.”

“You could have just kept walking and never looked back.” He ground out.

I lifted my hand in the air, “and I’d probably still be out there wandering around with the cows.”

“Wait,” Chase looked from Leone to me, “is she arguing for being locked up or against it? I think I may have my mate’s hangover.”

Leone scowled at me as he took a bite.

I sat back and crossed my arms, holding his look. This went on for several minutes. None of the others spoke, I didn’t even look away from him to see if they ate.

With a sound of exasperation, Leone threw his hands up and smacked both palms on the table. “That’s it. I’m done.” He held his hands up again. “Decades of being haunted by my past only to be tormented by my future.” He stood up, knocking his chair backwards. “Fine. We’ll settle it now.” He stomped down the table and pulled my chair back, then picked me up. Kicking the cane out of the way, he turned to the door, then glanced back at his family. “Stay out of this.”

I clung to his neck, not knowing what was going on. With his long strides, we moved through the halls quickly.

“I can’t believe you’re forcing this. I was waiting until you recovered, trying to push it past any and all boundaries.” He turned down a hall. “I can’t let it go on; I’m losing my mind. Misleading you—” another turn, “and I’m sorry, much sorrier than I can express that I can’t allow you the freedom in this.” He clenched his jaw and stopped talking. His pace increased.

Closing my eyes, I pushed my face into his shoulder. I know I’d pushed his buttons on purpose, and I accepted my fate, but that didn’t mean I could watch as he walked me though that clear-walled hallway.

He stopped, shifted me and a door opened. When it slammed behind us, I was startled and opened my eyes. We were in a bedroom. I looked at him. “I thought…”

“Don’t.” He growled, then grasped the back of my head and crushed my mouth beneath his. His tongue invaded my mouth, rough and demanding.

I moaned when I brushed my tongue across the sharp edges of his fangs. I didn’t know why I wasn’t in a cell, and didn’t care. I clung to him, holding his head. He hadn’t kissed me like this since that kitchen in the little house.

When he stopped, he lowered me to sit on the bed and knelt to take off my shoes. Standing again, he kicked off his boots as he pulled his shirt over his head. Unbuttoning his pants, he stopped and leaned down. Pulling my sweater over my head, slowly allowing me to pull my arms out without force. I didn’t have a bra on because of my back. He tossed the sweater to the floor, his eyes moving over the exposed skin. With one knee on the bed, he lowered me to lay back and grabbed the waist of my tights.

He didn’t take his eyes off mine until he pulled them free of my legs. Moving off the bed, he knelt by my knees. With a gentle touch, he ran his hand over my injured leg, then leaned down and trailed feather light kisses along the same path. When he reached my hip, he paused, his other hand rested on the other hip. His red eyes connected with mine and he held them as he tore the sides of my underwear away from my body.

I bit my lip and watched as he slowly leaned over me. With his fangs, he gently nipped one hip, then the other. He moved up to my waist and did the same. I hissed out a breath, having never felt this intense sexual tension in my life.

“No more talk of blame or consequences.” He said, his mouth against my skin. “You’re not going anywhere. I’m not leaving.” He licked over a hardened nipple then lifted his head and looked at me. “You’re mine.” He whispered.

My mind was swimming in lust. I didn’t know if it was a question or statement. “Yes.” I said breathlessly, just in case there had been a question in there. Reaching, I pulled his head toward mine. “Kiss me.”

He growled as his mouth crushed mine. Without breaking the kiss, he moved both of us up the bed. He tore his mouth from mine and nipped my throat, then leaned down and teased a nipple between his fangs. With a groan, he looked up at me. His hand moved slowly down my body to rest between my legs. “I don’t think I can wait.” He nipped the side of my breast.

As his fingers moved, I couldn’t focus on anything else. “Leone,” I moaned, “please.”

He moved them fast and watched me. I shook my head back and forth; my whole body was on fire. When he moved away, I almost cried. I looked to see he was standing taking his jeans off. If I hadn’t already been as turned on as I was, just looking at his sculpted body would have made me moan.

Climbing back on the bed, he gave me a heated look. “There’s that look like you want me to bite you.”

“I do.” I licked dry lips, “want you to bite me.”

He growled and lay down on his side, pulling me so I was tight against him. “I’m going to,” he whispered against my mouth. Then he leaned back, my eyes widened when he sliced across his chest with a knife I hadn’t seen. Without a word, he pulled my head so I could close my mouth around the wound.

With a guttural sound, he bit into my neck then lifted his head. His breathing was erratic. When his lips touched my skin again, he didn’t use his fangs, just sucked gently on my neck.

He was drinking my blood too. I found that erotically electrifying. I licked over his chest then bit him.

He hissed out a breath and grasped my hair, pulled me back so he could kiss me. It was hard and rough, almost frantic. “You’re so tiny, I don’t know how I’m not going to hurt you.”

Biting his lip, I reached down and lifted my sore leg to rest on his hip. “Leone, please.”

His red eyes held mine as he shifted my body. Reaching under me with one hand, he held me by my lower back and thrust up into me.

We both groaned.

The way he held me, made it impossible for me to move, and I realized that even now he was making sure I didn’t do too much. I gasped when he pulled out slowly. Leaning forward I bit his neck, hard.

Gone was his careful movement. He held one hand behind my back, gripping it tight as he moved both of our bodies with complete abandonment.

My head was filled with my passion and his combined, and I understood what the blood bond could be. It was the most stimulating and intimate moment in my life. As my body started to shake, I pushed his head toward my throat. “Show me what you feel.”

His fangs broke the skin at the same time my body shattered into a thousand pieces. His feelings grew inside me as he fed from me, causing me to orgasm again.

Throwing his head back, he stiffened and groaned deep in his throat.

Neither of us spoke or moved for several moments as we tried to force oxygen into our bodies. He released my hand and hugged me against his chest as he fought to breathe.

Before I could speak a pain tore through my whole body. My back, shoulder and leg burned like they were being tore apart. I screamed. Leone jumped up to his knees above me, but I was paralyzed and couldn’t speak. Fear was etched in his face.

When the burning ebbed, I scrambled off the bed, yanking the blanket with me. “What the hell.” I stopped and moved the blanket, then lifted my leg up. It wasn’t stiff or sore. I looked at him, he stared at my leg. I lifted my hand toward it. “There’s no pain,” I frowned, “my back either.” I gave him a puzzled look, then I saw my arm. An intricate design weaved its way down over my skin, wrapping my entire arm.

I jerked my head up and looked at Leone. His arm bore the same pattern. “What? What did you do?” I gave him a panicked look and then shook my head. Looking around I saw the bathroom and rushed in, slamming the door.

Clutching the blanket around me, I slid down the door to the floor. Holding my arm out in front of me, I turned it slowly.

“Beth, my love…”

“Just don’t right now, Leone.” I couldn’t think. What did this mean? I didn’t know what this meant.

“Beth,” his voice came through the door again, “stop thinking about it and let me…”

“Leone.” I warned.

He stopped talking for a moment.

“Chase. I need help.”

He must have called his brother.

“No. Not that. She’s locked herself in the bathroom and if I bust another door today Mitz will string me up. I don’t know. Can Alona…” There was a short pause. “Yeah, I’d say she was upset with me. Right. Bring Daxx.” He snorted. “Explanations will be self-explanatory when you get here.”

I heard a clunk and wondered if he’d just tossed his phone.

“Beth, I’m sorry. I know I should have explained—but I couldn’t chance losing you again. You’ve changed everything inside me—for the better.”

I huffed out an annoyed breath. “Don’t suck up. I’m having a moment.” I stared at my arm again. Then straightened my leg and bent it a few times.

I heard voices out in the room.

“Well, out of all of us, I didn’t think you’d take the he-man approach.” Chase was here.

“I didn’t force her if that’s what you’re implying.” Leone sounded shocked.

I frowned.

“I would never suggest that.” Chase murmured.

“I got here as fast as I could. Actually, I got lost.” Daxx was here. “Oh, shit. Leone. You trying to follow in Troy’s footsteps?”

“What? No. It wasn’t an accident. She said yes.”

I jumped to my feet, bunched the enormous blanket up and opened the door. “To-to us.” I stammered, “to having sex, to being a-a thing.” I waved my hand around. “Nowhere was a full insta-sleeve mentioned.” I paused, noticing he had just pulled on his jeans and nothing else. Shaking my head, I snapped out of it. “And what the hell. If having sex with you was a miracle cure—why—why have I been trying to suck it up through the pain for the last week?”

Chase and Daxx gave him a shocked look.

Leone rubbed his hand over his forehead. “The mating bond forcibly healed all her injuries at once, right after.”

“Ouch.” Daxx gave me a horrified look.

“You have no idea. I now know what being dropped in a vat of acid probably feels like.”

Arms crossed, Chase walked around behind me and looked at my back. “I had no idea it could do that.”

I turned, so he wasn’t behind me. Holding my left arm out, I scowled at him, then to Daxx. “What the hell does this mean, exactly?”

Michael came running into the room. He looked from me to Leone. “Oh shit,” he cussed.

I nodded. “And then some. I’m going to start tossing energy at people soon if I don’t get answers.” No one moved. “Now.” I held up my newly insta-inked arm, my palm out, bright flashes of energy arcing off of it.

Chase backed up and then looked at Leone. “Seems like this is a mate problem. I don’t interfere in other mate problems.”

Daxx sighed. “Put the sparks away. Get dressed and we’ll talk in Crissy’s tower.” She pulled out her phone and started typing on it with her thumbs.

“Crissy’s tower?” I picked up the blanket and went toward the bed, hoping to find my clothes.

“I’ll…”

My head snapped to Leone. “Stay right there.” I scowled at him. “You might be sexy as hell, but I’m finding myself immune to that at the moment.”

He sighed and looked at each of his brothers. Chase tucked his hands in his pocket and Michael shrugged. “Practice?”

Leone went over and picked up his boots. “Yeah.” He stopped, keeping a foot between us. “I’m not sorry I did it, just how I went about it.”

I glared at him. “Don’t be all sweet right now. I’m in the middle of a life-altering event and need to process.”

He smirked. “Don’t give me a headache.” He walked out.