XXVII
Dawson Rossi
W ith Atlas and Andros bathing Hazel and performing the aftercare, I head into my room to shower. Despite having come in Hazel not long ago, the thought of what we just did to her has me rubbing one out. It sprays over the bathroom tiles, and I have to use the shower attachment to wash it away, down the drain.
When I step out, I towel dry my hair and slide some boxers on before covering them with a simple pair of black joggers. Finally, I add some socks before heading downstairs and pouring four glasses of whiskey.
The others filter in, grabbing a glass as I recline on the sofa. I’m still exhausted from fucking Hazel, completely relaxed and satiated by the activity. Once everyone is sat down on various seats in the room, I open my mouth and face Andros.
"What were you thinking just showing her the room," I mutter before taking a sip of my whiskey.
It freaked her.
I knew it would freak her.
He shrugs and I roll my eyes at his nonchalant attitude.
"We should have had the conversation first before showing her," Atlas adds.
"We did have the conversation with her a few months ago, if you remember," he glares over his whiskey.
"That's true," Theo sighs.
"Did she seem interested at all in any of it?" I question. We all sit staring at Andros, with curiosity in our eyes.
Truth is, we're all desperate to use that room to pleasure her to new realms. But we want her to be comfortable in it.
"I could tell she likes the toys from the way she pressed her legs together," he smirks and I imagine her doing that, "but she freaked when she saw the whips and floggers."
"No surprise there having seen her back," Atlas says and we all go silent.
I know we all have different reactions to the scars on her back. We don't know how they happened, but I know Theo is about five seconds from going on a killing spree for anyone who hurt her. Atlas will be plotting deep revenge. Andros will feel the urge to go and hold her and shower her in the affection she did not receive.
Whilst I... well I would want to do all of those things and tell her she does not need to earn our support.
It is unconditional.
And it has been for a while.
I get up from the brown leather chair in the dark sitting room and place my glass down on the oak table. I nod to them all and walk out of the room, heading to my room.
I can't help but stop by Hazel's room, peeking in to see her bed empty. My eyes narrow in confusion and I immediately go into alert mode until I see her walk out of her bathroom. She rubs her eyes, which are heavy with sleep and I take in the sight of her in her adorable pyjamas.
"Hey, Spitfire," I say softly and she jumps.
"You scared me, Dawson," she replies, her voice raspy.
"Why are you awake?' I question as I walk in, shutting her door behind me. She climbs into her bed and I sit next to her.
I don't try to get in with her.
I can't.
"Atlas left..." she whispers, not looking into my eyes.
My heart pangs when I realise she cannot handle people leaving her.
My poor Babygirl.
What the fuck happened to her?
"Do you want me to go get him?" I ask her, grabbing her chin and forcing her to look me in the eyes. Hers are full of sadness and I see tears welling up in them.
Moving closer to her, I bring my face to hers and plant a soft kiss on her lips. I wipe away a fallen tear and pull her close to my chest.
"It's okay, Babygirl" I soothe, feeling her sob lightly into my chest.
I want to kill Atlas for even leaving her alone for a second.
He pulls the boss card then leaves her when she falls asleep.
Fucking idiot.
"Can you stay with me?" She whispers after a few moments of silence.
"I wish I could, Spitfire..." I falter as her hazel eyes meet mine, a look of desperation in them, "I'll go get Atlas." I stand up before she can respond and walk out of the room, my heart hurting with every step.
I storm down the stairs, seeing red, and walk back into the sitting room. They all look at me questioningly as I barge the door open.
"Atlas, why did you leave her? She cried," I spit, glaring at him. I watch his eyes soften, as all of theirs do. He stands up and places his glass down before walking out of the room.
"I'm going too," Andros stands and I nod, holding the door open for him.
"I guess I'm on Hurricane Dawson watch tonight," Theo mutters before downing the rest of his drink.
"Aww my favourite of the group too," I retort, sarcastically. He sends me a fake smile and we walk out, heading to our separate bedrooms.
I shut my door and walk into my bathroom, taking a quick shower before getting into bed.
I settle down into my sheets, pleading with my brain to let me sleep through the night. My eyes close. Images of Spitfire smiling and laughing flood my mind, putting me at ease and sending me into a deep slumber.
A harsh slap hits my cheek and I open my eyes, coming crashing back down to earth when I see the destruction I have caused this time.
"Fuck," I run my hand through my hair as I look to the torn sheets and broken furniture. Theo stands next to me, brooding and glaring at me.
"I'm sorry," I mutter. He takes a deep breath and relaxes slightly, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"Your Dad again?" He asks, concern laced in his voice. I nod and lower my head.
My Dad was not a good man. He would constantly abuse my mother when I was a child, before moving on to me once I was old enough to take a good beating. It was only when I met Atlas that I started fighting back. And when he tried to revert back to attacking my Mama when he knew he couldn’t win against me, I shot him to death.
By the time the cleanup crew Atlas sent had arrived, there were thirteen bullet holes in my father’s lifeless body and my Mama was a quivering mess in the corner of the room. I expected her to hate me for killing him, but she never did. Instead, she thanked me for setting her free.
We clear up the room in silence and Theo gives me a sympathetic nod before leaving.
"You need to go see someone," he mutters before leaving, "especially now we have Hazel in our lives."
He shuts the door and I let his words wash over me, soaking into every pore, invading my mind.
He's right.
I know he's right.
Truth is, they've been asking me to go get a sleep therapist for years but I never wanted to admit it. But since Hazel asked me to stay with her, I need to. I couldn't handle leaving her tonight. I want to be able to hold her whilst she sleeps, keeping her close to me as she dreams.
Climbing back into bed, I close my eyes, trying my best to fall asleep but it doesn't come.
I spend the rest of the night staring up at the ceiling, thinking.