Tobias’s gaze is sharp and knowing as he stares up at me.
Even a year later, it’s something that still affects me, and I can practicallyfeelthe anger and guilt radiating off him from that day. While he’s never said as much, I know he wishes he’d stepped in and put Gale in his place before all hell broke loose in that church. And sure, that would have been nice for someone to have my back, but I’m more disappointed in myself and my lack of backbone.
Theo sighs and slings an arm over my shoulders. “I’m sorry you had to go through that, baby,” he murmurs as he pulls me against his side. While he doesn’t know exactly what Gale said to me that day, he understands it’s enough to have scarred me.
“Who’s Gale?” Alex bites out on my other side.
It’s only then that I realise that he’s tensed beside me, his eyes blazing with fury and his hands clenched into fists at his side. He looks about ready to rip my ex to pieces, and there must be something wrong with me because my heart flutters at the sight.
“Her sorry excuse for an ex-fiancé,” Tobias answers for me, his tone matching Alex’s.
I pat the big guy’s arm. “I’ll tell you about him later.”When you don’t look like you’re about to commit war crimes in my name.
“You’re all fucking psychos!” Jerri screeches, making Tobias wince since she did it right next to his ear.
He sighs. “I’ll get her out of here.” He turns to Jerri. “Come on, let’s find something cold to put on your face.” He helps a sobbing, cursingJerri to her feet and leads her away from us. “Show’s over, everyone!” he shouts as he passes by the few people who’ve stayed to watch.
Rachel sighs. “I’ll help disperse everyone,” she says, shooting me another proud smile before striding towards the people who are still gaping at us.
Most of the group have moved on, some shooting disgusted looks at me while others scurry away without making eye contact. The tension is even worse than it was before, all of it directed towards me and the guys. We’re going to have to address it soon before it blows up in our faces, but that’s a future Ollie problem to solve.
Rhys, who’s been standing there, staring at us in a shocked stupor, shakes his head. The heat in his eyes morphs from desire to fury as he storms over to me.
Uh oh.
“We need to talk,” he growls as he grabs my arm and drags me out from between Alex and Theo.
I stumble, the action jarring my aching body and pounding head, and I almost collapse with a pained yelp.
“Careful,” Theo barks as he catches me before I face-plant into the straw-covered floor. “She’s injured, you prick.”
“Shit. Sorry, Ollie.” Rhys at least has the decency to look a little contrite as he stops dragging me. That lasts about two seconds before the brute scoops me up into a bridal hold.
“What the fuck?” I snap as I struggle to get down. “Put me down!” I slap his chest.
“No.” His arms clamp tight around me.
What the hell has got into him? I move my head to look back at Alex and Theo, hoping maybe they’ll be able to get me down, but they’re both staring after me with amusement. Alex is holding Harlow by the collar, stopping her from following me. Theo even has the gall to wiggle his fingers at me while grinning like a lunatic.
I scowl. “Traitors.”
His grin only gets wider. “Have fun with Daddy Rhys.”
My nose wrinkles. “Not my kink.”
Rhys grunts his agreement. “Or mine.”
He continues to carry me to the other side of the barn. There are fewer people on this side of the building, with most people in our group preferring to sleep near one another. A few battered wooden doors lead off from the main room, and Rhys chooses one at random.
The room through the door appears to be a small office. A wooden desk pushed to one side of the cramped space, with an ancient-looking laptop sitting on top of it. It smells musty, and there’s a thick layer of dust on everything. I doubt anyone has been in here since the world went to shit.
Rhys gently places me back on my feet and glares down at me. Only half his face is lit by the pale moonlight pouring in through the dirt-smeared window, while the other side is obscured by shadows. It makes his expression that much more menacing and, if I didn’t know the man as well as I do, I’d be shitting myself.
But IknowRhys. While he may be a grumpy asshole, he’s a good man. I’m safe with him.
“What thefuckwas that out there?” he snarls, causing the tension in the room to skyrocket.
My eyes widen at his outburst. “What do you mean?”
