“That includes you too, Abe.” Lucie watched as his eyes flickered slightly. They appeared to water for a moment but cleared quickly. He nodded his head with a smile.
“Abe, I’m going to get Lucie cleaned up. So if you need us, make sure to use the door.” Abe chuckled, nodding once before flashing out again.
“Are you sure you’re up for everyone at the same time?”
“Yes. It will be nice for everything to feel normal.” Lucie sighed and looked down at herself. “I really want a bath bath.”
“I know you do. Let’s start with this for now, okay? You’ll be healed in no time, and you’ll be able to get that bath you’re dreaming about. I’m feeling a little bit jealous. I think you missed the bathtub more than you missed me.”
Lucie giggled and winced. “Don’t make me laugh.”
Derrick leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “I’ll be right back.”
He brought back a basin with water and sat it near the side of the bed. He pulled the sheet down and unbuttoned the shirt her father had left for her when Lita was tending to her wounds. Sucking in air through his teeth, his gaze trailed over her body. His eyes met hers and began to water again. His poor little mate.
CHAPTER 61
Derrick removed her shirt, leaving only the bandages around her ribs. He looked over her blackened and bruised body, his heart wrenching in pain.
“Derrick,” Lucie said quietly as she gave him a soft smile. She could feel his emotions raging. He was still angry at himself for letting it happen. “Don’t. We’re past this part, okay?”
Derrick lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers delicately. “It hurts my heart seeing this. I love you so much, and this just …” His voice broke for a second before he found it again. “I’ll never get past someone hurting my soul.”
It was a good thing their emotions flowed together as though they shared the same pulse. Neither of them felt unworthy, because the acceptance between them was absolute and unspoken. Still, that didn’t make the marks on her skin any easier for him to look at. But the bond ran both ways, and where one of them ached, the other was already reaching to soothe it.
He tenderly bathed her, his tears flowing freely. He knew it was unreasonable, but someone else had to save his woman. Someone else had to fight the man who took her.
He leaned down and gently kissed the marks on her body, washing her skin with his own tears as well. She let him, knowing he needed to let his emotions out too. He needed to take care of her in this way.
He took his time washing her until he reached her breasts, where he met her heated gaze and promised all the things he planned to do to her later. How he would make sure her body was purged by his heat. She tried to get him to engage in that promise now, but he only smiled and shook his head. There was no way he could possibly touch her like that in her condition. But he still left gentle kisses on her sensitive mounds, smiling as he heard her protesting for more.
Derrick set the basin aside when he’d finally finished and gently eased her into the new clothes. He grabbed some pillows and propped her into a seated position, stealing soft kisses and continuing to dote on her. He leaned forward and kissed his mark on her neck, remembering the taste of her blood. Lucie was also reminiscing about the way he tasted and how much she wanted to drink from him again.
“That is definitely not a good idea.” Derrick chuckled, knowing he wouldn’t be able to stop himself this time.
“Which is why it is a good idea.” Lucie grinned up at him.
“You are a little minx!” He chuckled, prodding her nose lightly. She heaved a pouting sigh. It felt good to be interacting normally with him.
He looked her over and frowned. “I guess I can probably carry you out there, but I’m propping you on the couch and you’re staying there. Deal?” He watched as Lucie smiled up at him appreciatively.
“Thank you.” Lucie reached up, placing her arms around his neck as he carefully lifted her body. She winced once at the shift but then rested comfortably against his chest. She played with his neck and traced feather-light touches over her mark on him, enough that she could feel it arousing him. She smiled and bit her lip as he eased her onto the couch and propped her up with pillows. She pointed at something in the bedroom. “Oh, could you put that in a bag for me and bring it here?” Lucie asked and Derrick smiled, nodding his head.
Abe appeared in front of Lucie, frowning. “Should you be out here on the couch?”
“Now don’t you start too.” Lucie giggled as Derrick walked back in with the bag she’d requested.
“We pick our battles with Lucie, and this is what will make her happy right now.” Derrick eased himself down beside her, using his arm to support her against his side comfortably.
“I’ll open the door so they’ll know you’re ready.”
Abe opened the door and was met with her family standing there, just waiting for the okay.
“Lucie!” Aedan rushed in front of the couch and knelt in front of her. His bottom lip quivered but he quickly tucked it in. He didn’t want to cry in front of her and upset her more. Inwardly, he trembled with anger at the sight of her condition. “I’ve missed you.”
“Missed you too.” Lucie smiled and watched as her family filled the room. Jasper and Justice were next to make it to her. Then, one by one, each of her family members came up to her and let her know how happy they were that she was back. Most of their eyes gave away the emotions they were hiding behind their smiles. They were very angry and eager for revenge.
“Lucie … I’m so sorry,” Alexa said in a strangled voice. She felt guilty knowing that Lucie had covered for her. What happened to Lucie should have happened to her. Seeing hercousin’s face crushed her, and made her appreciate Lucie’s sacrifice even more.
