Kaylor opened her mouth, no doubt preparing to demand answers. It was that stubborn determination that had gotten her into trouble more times than I could count, but I was faster, slipping a spoonful of warm broth between her lips before she could voice whatever snarky retort she’d been planning.
She glared at me over the spoon, eyes flashing as she was forced to swallow instead of arguing. The moment the liquid hit her tongue, her expression transformed completely. “God, that’s good,” she muttered. Her gaze lifted to Grayson’s. “Thank you. For everything.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Kay. You’re family,” he said before leaving the room, allowing her to eat, but not before giving me one last wary glance.
“Have some bread,” I encouraged, tearing a generous chunkoff the mini loaf Grayson had included on the tray. The crust crackled under my fingers, releasing the yeasty scent of fresh-baked bread.
She took it without looking up from her soup, immediately dipping the bread into the thick, creamy broth. She sighed. “I could eat this every day for the rest of my life.” Color was creeping back into her face.
When she’d finished the entire bowl and most of the bread, she rested against a stack of pillows. Her eyes were heavy, but they never left my face.
I took the tray and set it aside, turning to stare down at her. “You should get some rest unless there’s something else you need.”
“There is.”
“What is it, little raven?” I would gladly give her whatever she desired. The moon. The stars. Anything at all except if she asked me to leave. My presence was nonnegotiable.
“I just really want you to hold me. If that’s okay,” she said quietly.
I slid onto the bed beside her, the mattress dipping as I pulled her carefully against my chest. She fit so perfectly against me, like two pieces of a puzzle joining together. I went to turn off the lamp on the side table, but Kaylor stopped me.
“Could you leave the light on? I want to be able to see your face if I wake up.”
I jumped to so many horrible conclusions from the simple statement. Was she afraid of the dark? Did she fear she might not recognize me in the middle of the night? I nodded. “Done.” I tucked her tighter against me, one arm sliding beneath her neck to pillow her head while the other wrapped around her waist.
I knew the nightmares would come. She’d had them before, and I couldn’t begin to imagine how brutal they’d be now, but I made a silent vow I would be here to pull her out of every single one, night after night, until they finally faded into distant memories.
13
KREED
Iheld her, her head tucked perfectly under my chin, the hair on the top of her head tickling my throat with each breath she took. Her heartbeat was a faint, precious flutter against my chest, proof she was here and whole and mine again.
It didn’t take long for slumber to claim her. I didn’t even try to sleep. My body was wired, adrenaline still coursing through me. I waited until I was absolutely certain she was deeply asleep, and only then did I carefully climb out of the bed. I didn’t want to leave her side, but I needed to check on the twins and find out if Raine ever made it back. I wouldn’t be able to sleep until everyone was accounted for. We were a crew, and leaving someone behind was against everything we stood for. Just a quick check. Then I’d sneak back up, crawl into bed, and hold her for as long as she needed.
The stairs creaked under my feet as I descended, the low murmurs trailing from down the hallway. I followed the whispers into the family room. The warm glow of firelight danced across the walls. Bodies were sprawled in various states of repose. I took count.
Mason, Maddox, Grayson, and Micah were gathered around the stone fireplace in a loose semicircle, cold bottles of beer sweatingrings onto the coffee table. Mason’s legs were sprawled wide, his head tipped back against the leather couch cushions. Maddox sat forward, elbows on his knees, rolling an empty bottle between his palms. Grayson occupied the armchair, one ankle crossed over his knee in deceptive casualness. Micah stood by the mantel, firelight casting his profile in relief.
Grayson noticed me first. He gestured with his beer bottle toward the cooler in the corner. “You look like you could use one of these.”
I shook my head. “I’m good. Is Raine back yet?” I asked, scanning the room and noting his absence immediately as well as Fynn and Brock.
“No, but he texted about ten minutes ago. He should be here any minute now,” Maddox informed.
“Didn’t expect to see you tonight,” Mason said, a stupid grin plastered across his face. “Or tomorrow. Hell, for the next week, honestly. Figured you’d be otherwise occupied.” That’s when Mason decided to be Mason. He made one of his characteristically crude gestures, hips thrusting forward in an exaggerated humping motion that would’ve been more at home in a frat house. The movement was so absurd it broke some of the tension in the room, and the guys snorted with reluctant laughter.
Maddox smacked the back of Mason’s head.
“Watch it, little Corvo,” Grayson warned, but I caught the corner of his mouth twitching upward in a half smile that betrayed his amusement. “I might be tired, but I can still knock your teeth out for being disrespectful.”
I blew out a breath, leaning a shoulder against the doorway. “I’m an asshole. I’m not a sadist. Jesus Christ, she’s been home for all of five minutes, and you think the first thing I should do is jump her? After everything she’s been through?”
The room went quiet for a beat, the crackling fire suddenly the loudest noise. Mason had the decency to look slightly chagrined, his grin fading to something more thoughtful. “To be fair,” he said finally, shrugging, “you haven’t been acting like yourself. And I don’t meanjust the last week. Since she came into our lives, you’ve been different. So sorry if we don’t know the protocol for what comes next. We’ve never been here before with you.”
“He’s never been in love before.” Raine’s voice cut through the room from behind me, his timing so immaculate I’d swear it was deliberate if I didn’t know better.
I groaned, angling my body to the side as Raine stepped through the archway flanked by Brock and Fynn. The three of them brought a new current of energy into the room. Seeing Raine in the flesh unharmed, I turned my gaze to Brock, who had definitely seen better days. He looked like he’d been dragged straight out of the ninth circle of hell. Soot streaked across his face in dark smudges, dried blood stained his torn shirt in patterns, and his knuckles were split open and raw.Buthe was breathing.
