“Tell them her bite will rot their cock,” Leo said.“That should dissuade them.”He directed his steps toward his sleep-bed and staggered.
Betrys jumped to his aid, but Saber pounced first and hauled Leo upright.“Let me help you to bed.”
“Betrys.”Leo’s tone reminded her of Ricci when he was overtired.
“I’m right behind you.”She darted around them and hurried to his sleep-bed to draw back the covers.
“I need a coffee,” Saber said, once they had Leo tucked up in comfort.“You want one?”
“Yes, please.”Betrys paused in the doorway of Leo’s bedroom.“I’ve come to enjoy the Earth beverage.”
“Savor it while you can.The replicated stuff tastes of mud, and our stocks are low until we can figure out how to get a new supply or can start growing our own coffee.”
“Leo, do you want anything?”Betrys asked from the doorway to the lounge and kitchen area of the bungalow.
“Water, please.A pain pill.”
“I’ll bring them in.You rest.”She entered the food preparing area and found Saber making the coffee.Her steps faltered.
“What?”he asked without a glance over her shoulder.
A raft of goose bumps formed on her skin.Freaky.How had he known she was behind him?She hadn’t made a sound.
“Leo wants something for the pain.”
Saber turned then, his brow creased in that trademark scowl.“He should be able to shift.That should be his first instinct for self-preservation.He shouldn’t be asking for a damn pain pill.”
Betrys found herself taking a step backward, her gaze remaining on his agitated face.“D-don’t h-hurt me.”
Saber straightened, insult replacing his agitation.“I’m not going to hurt you.This isn’t your fault.”
“But it is.If I hadn’t—”
“You were doing what you had to do to protect yourself, your son.Don’t apologize for using your survival instincts,” Saber said in a hard voice.“I’d do anything to keep my family safe.”His mouth quirked giving the Mitchell scowl a new level of brutal intensity.“I have done things I regret in order to help my siblings.Since I’ve committed the crime, it would be petty of me to resent you for doing the same.”He advanced another step, and although instinct told her to run, she forced herself to remain rooted to the spot.
“I-I-”
“I repeat.I amnotgoing to hurt you.”
Athumpcame from behind her and she whirled around, a tinnyeepof shock squeezing from her throat.“Leo!”She was at his side in an instant.“Why aren’t you resting?”
“Not your fault.Wanted to help my family.Same thing.”Beads of sweat covered his forehead.“Not your fault.”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell her,” Saber said.“Betrys, get the pain pills.I saw a bottle on the counter.”
On trembling legs, she walked to the kitchen area and poured a glass of water then plucked up the tablets.When she entered the bedroom, Saber had Leo back on the sleep-bed.Leo’s face was pale, and he slumped against the headboard, lines of pain etched into his face.
“We’ll be in the other room,” Saber said once Leo had taken the pills and was reclining on the sleep-bed.“Shout if you want us.”
“Betrys,” Leo whispered.
She neared the sleep-bed and gazed down at him.“I’m here.”
“Don’t go,” Leo said.“Don’t leave me.”
“I promise.I’m not going anywhere.Please, Leo.You need to rest, so you can start healing.”She waited until his breathing slowed.
“Is he asleep?”Saber asked when she joined him in the other room.
