“Don’t be so human. Think about him and play it through in your mind. He’ll hear.”
“How’d he not hear me before?” she asked. “When it was happening. You felt Emy panicking. Why didn’t he?”
“He would’ve, if you thought of him in the moment. But you passed out immediately, so that would be why.” Dennis shrugged and motioned for her to tell him again.
She nodded and went silent for the one-way conversation with Sean. Dennis sped to almost twice the legal limit as my ankle seared with pain—it was almost unbearable. I blinked rapidly, barely holding back tears.
“You can get out now.” He unlocked the doors as we stopped outside a large complex.“I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Ari unhooked her seatbelt and Ididthe same, though I couldn’t get out as easily as her. I couldn’t get out at all, actually. I pouted and looked around, then jumped when my door opened and Sean came into view.
“Hey, Emy.” He smiled and I halfheartedly returned it.
“I got it,” Mateo said, taking both bags from Ari.
“Take her upstairs while I get some first aid stuff.” Dennis glanced back as Sean slid me from the seat. He nodded and scooped me up bridal style.
“I feel so helpless. I hate being carried like this.” I wiggled to get more comfortable, then let out a surprised squeak when Sean rearranged me without warning, making sure my bloody ankle was angled away from his clothes.
“Better?”
I could hear the smile in his voice as he lifted me higher.“Way better!” I draped my arms over his shoulders. I always preferred a piggyback ride over being carried bridal style. Except one thing…
“I told you not to wear that skirt,” Ari said as I tried to pull it down.“Your zippers are useless, by the way. They’re completely undone.” She laughed and gave one a tug before following Mateo upstairs.
“Try not to get her blood on anything.” Dennis reached back and tossed Sean the bag of snacks.
“I thought you weren’t grossed out by blood?” I asked.
“I’m not. That’s the problem.”
I cocked my head as he drove away.“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Sean didn’t answer, just laughed at my confusion and started walking.
Bloodlust
I braced myself against Sean’s movements; pain was searing with each step. We reached the top of the stairs and passed a few doors before coming to a stop at one opposite a luxurious pool. He opened the door to reveal Ari sitting beside Mateo, talking about who knows what.
“Shit, Emy, I can see your bone,” Mateo said.
“Holy crap.” Ari rushed over as Sean lowered me to the couch.“How are you still awake and talking right now?”
“We don’t all faint the second something freaks us out.” I laughed at her sheepish frown, then grimaced when my ankle spasmed. I took a deep breath before continuing.“I’m kidding, hun. Don’t feel bad. No one died.”
“Except the guy in the alley.”
“Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. Also, I’m insomuch pain it’s not even funny. I’m trying to ignore it.”
“You should change so you don’t keep flashing everyone.” Ari opened my bag while Sean disappeared down the hall.“What do you want?”
“Uh,” I peered into it while she pushed things around,“those work.” She grabbed the boxers and stood, then waited for me to join.“I can’t walk,” I reminded her.
Sean’s laugh sounded from another room.
“How are we gonna do this?” Her tone was dejected.
“We can help,”Mateosaid.
