"Oh my god, Danny. I was so afraid he'd get you."
Danny sniffled and hugged me back. "I'm sorry you got taken because of me."
What?
"No, Danny." I leaned back and grabbed Danny's face with my hands. It was then I saw the swollen eyes and trails of tears down his cheeks. "No, Danny. I wasn't taken because of you. I was taken because Atkins is a psychotic asshole. You had nothing to do with it."
"But, if he didn't want me so bad, he never would have—"
"If it hadn't been me, it would have been someone else, Danny. He's determined to get his hands on you any way that he can."
"See?" Danny cried out as he turned and buried himself in Abe's arms. "It is my fault."
"No, Danny, it's not. Atkins is crazy. Sane people don't kidnap other people or try and collect people, no matter what he thinks they might be able to do. Just because you're a shifter doesn't mean he has the right to keep you locked up somewhere."
"That's what I told him," Abe said from behind Danny.
I smiled as I glanced up at the big Marine. "Hey, Abe."
He smiled back, one of the few I'd seen since I'd met the man. "Hi, Kaito. I'm glad you're back."
"You and me both."
"You going to be okay?"
"Eventually." It would take a lot to get there. "Right now, I'd like something to eat and a shower." I grimaced as I glanced down at the blanklet wrapped around me. "And a clean set of clothes to change into."
"Why don't you go upstairs and take a shower," Ian said. "I'll get you something to change into then make you something to eat. It'll be ready when you come back downstairs."
"Sounds like a plan." I sent him a weak smile. I wasn't sure I'd make it upstairs let alone back down again. "I think I might need a little help."
"Of course."
"I can help." Abe took a step forward, setting Danny to the side.
"I have him," Jack said as he swept me up in his arms.
"No! Put me down!" I pushed at Jack's chest and tried to wiggle away.
Jack just held on tighter as he carried me out of the room. "Knock it off before you hurt yourself."
"Put me down!"
"No."
I let out a sound that tried to be a growl, but came out as more of a grunt and a whimper. "I can walk on my own."
"No, you can't." Jack wasn't even breathing hard by the time we reached the top of the stairs. He went right down the hallway and carried me into the room I'd had before then into the bathroom. He was gently as he sat me down on the counter. "Do you need help with the shower?"
"Not from you," I snapped as I pushed at Jack's chest again.
He didn't budge an inch.
Damn it.
"Knock it off, Kaito."
"I will just as soon as you go away."
