Holly tensed in my arms when the guys first came in, but I could feel her start to relax as they completely ignored her, zoned in on the food. Eventually, a little laugh escapes. “Do they not have food at home?” she asks, watching them with wide eyes.
“Always…hungry,” I tell her with a laugh. Another ding from the elevator and out comes Kade and Becca. Becca drops her gym bags, running full tilt for Holly.
She stops just in front of us and bursts into tears. “I was so scared for you! I kept checking but he,” she says, pointing at me accusingly “wouldn’t let me in.”
“Sleeping!” I growl at her. No way was I going to wake Holly up just so Becca could snot all over her. She has a concussion, for fuck’s sake. “Asshole!” Becca growls back at me, making me smile despite my annoyance, then gingerly hugs Holly.
“I’m so glad you’re ok,” she says softly. “When I saw those pictures of your building…well it was horrible.”
Holly leans into Becca, soaking in the affection in a way she won’t with me. But she reached for me today, I remind myself. Baby steps.
“It was horrible,” Holly whispers. “The smoke was so thick and everyone was screaming…”
My arms tighten around her, my heart pumping hard. Imagining her crawling through the smoke and fire has me on edge all over again. I wish again that I could have been there for her. I’m not a fucking fireman, but no way would I have ever left that building without her. She won’t ever be afraid or in danger again.
I’ll make sure of it.
After I get my heart rate under control, I take Holly over to the dining table, we all have the same twelve seater, and settle her next to Colt, knowing she’ll feel safe with him. I hurry back to the microwave, pulling out her steaming food and popping mine in. The guys didn’t bother to heat anything up.
They never do.
Maybe it’s because most of us were so hungry for so long, or maybe because we’re not patient enough to share one microwave. Either way, the guys are already plowing through their food.
I fill a glass with water, bring it and the plate to Holly, then grab my food and our forks. I settle next to her and start eating, keeping a careful eye on her and her plate. She said she was nauseous, but I hope she can eat it all. She needs to keep up her strength. I have this bizarre urge to get up and cook her something. Like a fucking steak or spaghetti. But since I can’t fucking cook, I have to settle for takeout.
My brothers are their usual selves; loud, annoying, and rude. The fact that Becca and Holly are at the table doesn’t seem to change anything.
Becca, I get. She’s just one of the guys, but I’m surprised that their behavior isn’t better with Holly around. I keep checking in, worried they’re going to upset her, but she actually seems to be enjoying their nonsense. They’re not ignoring her, sliding her small smiles and the occasional wink when they lock eyes, but for the most part, they’re letting her be. Her eyes are jumping from one of my brothers to another, the corner of her mouth creased with a smile.
The elevator dings again, and I look up, nodding at Ransom as he walks in. He grabs a few slices of pizza, then sits across the table from Holly. He dressed in his fullRansom Kyle - Billionaireoutfit, and I’m worried Holly’s going to feel intimidated. Not because Ransom will try to make her feel that way, like he did with Becca, but because it’s just who he is.
Holly’s carefully avoiding looking at him, and my hackles rise. I shoot him a quick look. He nods, my unspoken order clear.
“I’m glad to see you looking better Holly,” he says in a quiet rumble.
Her eyes widen. “Better?”
“I was with Micah at the hospital yesterday,” he explains. “How are you feeling?”
Her face flushes, glancing between Ransom and I. “I…um I feel a bit better. Still sore.”
I shove away from the table, heading to the prescription bottle on the counter. I shake out a pill and bring it back to her. She’s eaten enough that it should be ok for her to take it now. I pass her the pill, pushing her water glass into her hand. She gives me a funny look, but swallows the pill quickly. I smile, then point across the table. “Ransom,” I tell her.
Her wide eyes dart back to him before glancing away again. “Ah. Hello. Nice to meet you.”
I hold in a laugh at her tone of voice, which doesn’t match her words at all.
“Dude, seriously?” Becca interrupts, waving her fork around. “You growled at me and told me to watch my back when we met! And Holly gets ‘how are you’. You’re playing favorites, dude!”
Holly’s eyes get even wider, and her hands drop to clench together in her lap. I reach over and rub my fingers over her knuckles. “Ok,” I tell her when her eyes shoot to mine.
“I don’t play favorites. I respond to the situation appropriately Becca. Holly’s injured. You were not.” His words are crisp, aloof, but we all see the wrinkles around his eyes. He’s trying pretty damn hard not to smile. Becca has that effect on him.
“I’d been attacked by a knife wielding psycho! Sorry Holly.” She says, slapping a hand to her chest dramatically. “Didn’t I deserve a little bit of nice Ransom?” She asks, her voice rising.
The corners of his mouth are twitching. “You called me dude,” he deadpans.
Becca gasps, fire in her eyes. Kade doesn’t make any effort to stop her, instead sitting there laughing while she loads her fork up with noodles and launches them at Ran.
