He tugged me closer and I sat on the edge of the bed. “Snuggles,” he demanded. “I need snuggles.”
I chewed on my lip, debating about laying down on the bed with him. If I stayed close, I could monitor him for changes in his breathing and temperature. If I was honest, I wanted to keep touching him. Seeing all that blood had scared me and being close and pressed against him was a comforting idea.
“Okay, for a little while,” I said. Tugging my hand free of his grip, I toed off my shoes and laid down on the opposite side of Danzig as Hugo.
My bed was a queen, which was plenty big for me, but seemed tiny with Danzig sprawled out in the middle. I rolled onto my side facing him. I wasn’t sure what was appropriate touching until he slid an arm under me and curled me tight against his body.
“More is better,” he mumbled.
Marduk took my arm and draped it across Danzig’s chest. “The more you touch him, the better he’ll feel.”
“Uh, okay. Is this a magic thing?”
“Yes,” they both said at the same time.
Feeling useful, even though I didn’t understand how, I relaxed into Danzig’s embrace and closed my eyes. Honestly, I was tired from all that happened today. I didn’t realize how much extra fear and stress I’d been carrying until now.
Between Marduk hovering over us and Danzig’s warm body, I felt safe enough to drift off to sleep.
Danzig
I never would’ve thought getting my head bashed in would be one of the best things that ever happened to me. I was still in some pain, but it was easily ignored with Bec’s soft little body pressed along my side. Within a few minutes of laying down, Bec’s breathing evened out and she relaxed.
Marduk pressed his fingers to the back of my hand so we could talk.
The sight of the two of you together makes me happy,he said. I could feel the truth of his words, but also a hint of jealousy.
You’ll be spooning with her soon,I assured him.
I hoped so.
I’ve been thinking about our situation, I said. Now was the best time to suggest this to Marduk. I don’t think he’d accept it otherwise.I might have a solution.
Besides kidnapping Bec?he asked, pushing humor into his words.
We need to work with her, not keep following her or trying to stop her. I waited for a blow up, but all I felt from my twin was curiosity.
Work with her?What do you mean?
I let out a relieved breath.We help her solve some cases. We take her out to some clubs and let her flirt or dance with other guys. We show her that we aren’t going to stifle her.
Marduk snatched his fingers away from my hand and stalked out of the room. I didn’t get anger from him, well not a lot of it. I mostly got a jumble of emotions. He was confused and needed time to think.
My body wanted to sleep, especially since the healing charm was using up a lot of my energy and magic. He could think, and I’d take a nap.
Chapter 9
Bec
I’m not sure how long I slept, but I woke up to Hugo in my face. By standing on Danzig’s chest, he was able to lean over and swipe his tongue over my nose and cheek.
“Hugo!” I exclaimed with a laugh, pushing him away.
“Can I do that?” Danzig asked, his voice a sleepy rumble. I sat up to find his eyes half open. The gash on his face looked like a fresh scar.
“Wow, you do heal fast,” I murmured, running my fingers on his skin around the scar. It didn’t even feel hot. “Does it still hurt?”
“It itches a little, but that’s all,” he said, then moved Hugo off his chest. The dog walked to the foot of the bed where the doggy stairs were located. He trotted down and out the door.
