16. Caspian
CASPIAN
W hen Ryuji had disappeared after returning to the penthouse, only to show up again for our group hug, I’d first thought he needed some space to process everything we saw.
I sure as fuck did. I’d need months before I was over the horror that we’d seen her endure—the agony of her injuries and blood-covered body.
Yet instead of personal space, Ryu had yanked his mattress to the living room, and then dragged another mattress through the hallways and plopped it right next to his. He then rearranged all the furniture to make room for a massive combined bed right in front of the fireplace.
We’d all watched curiously before he scowled. “What? I sure as fuck wasn’t sleeping without her tonight, and I knew all of you would feel the same. This was the only solution that didn’t result in bloodshed.”
“Really?” Leona said, eyebrow raised. “The only solution?”
“Big bed. Big group.” He shrugged. “Better for sharing.”
She laughed at that, small but real, and he grinned in response. My heart swelled, and I rubbed the back of my neck. I thought it would be forever before she laughed again, if she ever did at all. I still wasn’t sure what had happened, but judging by the looks of her body, it was horrible.
If Ryuji could make her laugh, then I was on board with this idea.
While Ryuji was playing interior designer, Ciel and I helped Leona and Wynn get some water from the kitchen. After he’d finished his glass, under careful watch of Willow, Wynn faltered. He was fading fast.
He was a fucking strongman having survived that gunshot and walking around only a few days later.
Ciel wrapped an arm around his shoulder to keep him standing. “Let’s get you back to bed. You’re hurt enough as you are.”
“I want to stay,” Wynn weakly protested.
“Rest first, then you can come back.” Ciel ran his hand through Wynn’s hair—then the both of them froze. Leona’s eyes widened, locking with mine, while Ciel’s cheeks went pink.
“All right,” Wynn replied. He leaned against Ciel with a pained sigh.
Leona squeezed his hand, then gave Ciel a grateful glance while the two of them, and Willow, headed to Wynn’s room.
A few moments later, Ciel’s voice echoed through the hallway. “You took my bed, you asshole!”
Ryu snorted but ignored him, adjusting blankets and pillows, while Leona gave me a small smile. I was so damn glad to see Wynn back in the penthouse. Even though the last few days were a blur, it wasn’t home without all of us. Together.
Things had changed so much in the last week. For good, and for bad.
Leona was faltering, too. She’d mentioned on the yacht that she hadn’t had food or water while with the Albanians. So that was top priority along with tending to her wounds before she fell asleep. Obi had the first aid kit ready.
“Let’s get you cleaned up, princess,” I said, gently grabbing her hand. She’d waited long enough, making sure everyone else was taken care of first, but now it was her turn.
Willow popped her head back around the corner. “May I be of assistance?”
Leona’s lips pressed together in a thin line, like she was trying to keep herself from crying. She threw her arms around Willow’s neck, and it only took a second before the woman returned her fierce hug.
I wanted to wrap her up in my arms, feel her, make sure she was real and alive with my own two hands, but I saw how she flinched when Ciel hugged her from behind. I’d lose my fucking mind if I made anything worse for her.
“Can I examine you?” Willow asked her.
Leona sucked in a huge breath and then nodded.
I exhaled a heavy breath. Good. Willow could treat her, and then she could start healing. We could put this nightmare behind us. Willow draped an arm over Leona’s shoulders, turning. I followed, but then Willow shook her head, and I paused.
“Do you want anyone else in the room with us?”
Fuck . I needed to be there for her. I needed to know, to understand. To help her heal. She took care of me after Max tortured me. I wanted to do the same.
Leona was quiet for a long time before she whispered, “No.”
My heart fucking broke.
Obi and I exchanged a pained look while Ryuji continued to rearrange the furniture, pretending he wasn’t listening.
Why didn’t she want me there? Or any of us?
My hands clenched into fists.
Willow wrapped an arm around Leona’s shoulders, giving me a pointed look. “I’ll get her cleaned up, and we’ll go from there.”
Willow wouldn’t tell me what happened, what she’d been through, unless Leona gave her permission. That much was clear from the warning and the understanding in her eyes. As the two of them turned toward our room, I thought I was going to throw up all over the floor.
I was terrified of what lay beneath Leona’s clothes.
Not that it would change how I felt about her at all, but that I couldn’t bear to see her hurt.
And she was very hurt.
I waited outside the room for close to an hour. Ryuji stomped around the living room, getting increasingly agitated. Obi stood beside me, mute and frowning. Soft murmured voices filtered through our door.
Finally, Willow peeked her head out and handed me a pile of bloodied clothes and used gauze. Max’s suit jacket lay on top. It was definitely his. His tailor always put the same branded stitching on the inside seams.
“Can you get rid of these, please, Cas?” Willow asked.
Speechless, I nodded.
“We’re almost done.”
“Is she…” I wasn’t sure what I was asking, or what I wanted to hear in response. The words hung between us while I shifted from foot to foot. Obi stiffened beside me.
Her face softened. “She will heal. Emotionally…she’s in a kind of shock. You men are her greatest strength and support. Be there for her; be ready when she’s ready. Pain is easier carried when shared.”
I nodded as she retreated inside our room.
My hands clenched on the clothes. Max’s jacket.
Complicated emotions surged through my chest. I was hot with rage that Max had been close to her at all—and that he’d been such a fucking asshole afterward—but that rigid edge softened at the thought that he’d tried to shield her from whatever had happened.
What made him choose to give her this jacket?
And what had happened that made it necessary?
“I want to incinerate these,” I said to Obi.
“Follow me.”