14. Ember #2
“You’ll always belong when you’re with me, love. I’ve carried a piece of you in my soul since the day we met, and I brushed the knots from your wet hair when you refused to let your mum do it.”
Grief blazes across my breastbone, tempered by the sweetness of the old memory. “She tugged too hard with the brush. You were gentler.”
“I used to love being the only one who could make you stop crying.”
“Because I felt safe with you.”
He pushes hair behind my ear so tenderly it hurts my heart. “You’re always safe with me. No matter what happens between us, Em. You’re safe by my side, and I will always protect you with my life.”
We rest our foreheads together, exchanging a silent vow. One riddled with all the words we don’t need to say. For a second, I can just be a girl, letting the boy she liked as a kid hold her tight.
But this isn’t a child-like world of fantasy, and nothing comes quite so easily in reality. It doesn’t take long for every last complication that’s kept us apart to barge into the forefront and reclaim my thoughts.
“Why the change of heart?”
Warner inhales sharply, his eyes ducking. “I went to see an old friend.”
“Oh. I see.”
Leaning back in to catch my gaze, he offers a tentative smile. “You can wipe that hurt look off your face. Ripley put me in my place over a few drinks then sent me back here to make things right with you.”
I fight off a grin. Sounds about right.
“I know this is all messy as hell and far too complicated to figure out right now, but I now realise I have no right to dictate your sex life. Even if I don’t like who you choose to be with.”
“Blaine just happened,” I admit. “I didn’t plan it.”
“I’m not judging you, Em.”
“Maybe you should be.”
“Well I’m not,” he rasps. “All I want is for you to be safe and happy. If you need my brothers for that… then I can think of worse people to share you with. I’ve made my peace with it.”
“Does that include Blaine Madden?”
The nerve in his neck tics. “Em…”
“He isn’t a bad person, and he’s trying to prove his worth to the team. Without his help, we never would’ve found Tom.”
“I see that. But you don’t know him like I do.”
“That’s the point. I see what you don’t, and I know he’s a good person. Imperfect, sure, but he’s determined to do the right thing. He belongs here with our team.”
The thumb stroking over my cheek shifts lower, tracing the outline of my mouth. My head tilts up, letting me melt into his touch, seeking whatever validation I can find in his gentle caress.
“Blaine Madden is an asset.” He pushes out a breath. “I told you that I’d share your heart with my brothers if I had to, but he is not part of this family. Madden can’t be trusted.”
“He’s helped us.”
“And I’m grateful for that, but he’s an outsider. Just remember that.”
“What are you saying?” I swallow hard.
“I’m not saying anything. This is your life and your decision. I was an idiot for thinking I had any right to shame you. All I want is for you to be happy… But please be careful who you trust.”
Lips sealed tight, I nod. Warner tugs my bottom lip, still drinking in every last detail like I’m an unknown entity that threatens his entire existence.
“If anyone one hurts you—even Hyland or Axel—I’ll fucking kill them, Em. Without hesitation or regret. You just say the word.”
“They’re your family,” I point out.
“So are you.”
He’s deadly serious, and I can’t help but grin.
“You’re insane.”
“I refuse to lose this chance with you. I’m willing to try this your way, but don’t think for a second that I’ll let those men break your heart without paying a steep price.”
At my own peril, I brush my mouth over his. “Yes, boss.”
“Hell,” he groans. “Call me that again.”
“Boss?” I chortle.
“Shit. Never let Hyland hear you say that. The oaf’s jealous enough.”
“Yes, boss.”
“You’re fucking trouble, Em. Then again, you always were.”
Before I can pull away, Warner’s mouth crash lands on mine with an audible smack. His lips take me prisoner, gliding over mine in a messy tangle of rampant desire. I let him devour me—mind, body and soul. Whatever he wants.
A slow fizzle becomes a raging fire deep inside me with each stroke of his lips on mine. When the warm swipe of his tongue glides in, I can’t suppress a moan. Every place he touches breaks out into scorching tingles.
The cold wall of the clinical room presses into my back when Warner slams me up against it, his knee shifting between my legs. I’m pinned in place by his hips, mouth still ravaging mine as his hardening crotch pushes into me.
Every moment I’ve dreamed of this condenses into a rush of unfiltered satisfaction, eliminating the agony that’s kept us apart. The boy who once made me smile and laugh as a sad kid is the man laying claim to my body now.
And it feels oh-so fucking right.
He was always meant to be mine.
We don’t even break apart at the light tap on the door, signalling an interruption. To his credit, Warner nuzzles into my neck when the door clicks open, allowing me to blink through my haze-covered vision.
“Apologies,” Hyland rumbles from the doorway. “But Tom’s ready for you, and I can’t keep Jamie back much longer if you want to go in first.”
“For fuck’s sake.” Warner shoots him a displeased look.
I squeeze his bicep before lightly pushing him back. “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. I can’t go in there like this.”
“Why not?”
Gaze averted, Warner shifts to adjust himself. A flush creeps over my cheeks at the knowing look on Hyland’s face, watching us de-tangle from each other as his team leader deals with his now-obvious arousal.
“All good?” Hyland asks slyly.
“Mind your own business.” Warner glares at him.
“Ember is my business. Upset her again and my fist will be having words with your face, chain of command be damned.”
“Well, likewise.”
“Guys,” I protest weakly.
Hyland leisurely winks at me. “What?
“We’ve had enough fighting.”
“Relax, Em. I won’t break his pretty little nose just for your benefit. And he won’t get close enough to break mine without losing another limb.”
“Dickhead,” Warner chunters.
“Nah. That would be Madden.”
“On this we agree.”
At the reminder of the spiralling disaster that is our honorary fifth team member, I can’t help but groan. Both men sober, exchanging a long look.
“I’ll go find him.” Hyland visibly deflates after their silent debate.
“You will?” I blink up at him.
“Sure, why not? He’s probably just off licking his wounds somewhere. It won’t be hard to track the idiot down and drag him back here to do his fucking job.”
“Thank you.” My smile feels forced, painful.
“For the record, if I’d been the one to walk into that bathroom… he’d have a lot more than a broken nose to worry about. So be thankful that it was Warner and not me.”
With that ominous threat, Hyland departs the room. I watch him go with a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Perhaps it’s best if Blaine decides not to come back. I can’t exactly blame him for making himself scarce.
“This is a disaster.” I rub the tight knot forming between my brows. “It was simpler when I was held captive and didn’t have a choice about anything.”
“Not funny, Em.” Warner cringes.
“It’s a little bit funny.”
“Agree to disagree. Come on, let’s go see Tom.”
“Together?” I flash him a look.
“Probably best that we don’t give him a heart attack when he’s just woken up. But we will figure this out, I promise. I meant every word that I said.”
“I’ll hold you to it, Mr Mead.”
“Please do.”
His hand snags mine then clenches tight. I squeeze back, ignoring the tumult raging inside me. It takes great effort to force a few deep breaths in preparation to face my brother.
Back outside his room, we take a moment to collect ourselves before knocking and entering the hospital room. My anxiety soars to the forefront as I sidle in behind Warner, palms slick with sweat.
“Tom?” Warner sounds tentative. “Hey, bud.”
As he steps aside to let me in, trepidation shatters into a million shards, leaving me awash with so much relief I can hardly form a coherent thought. Tom sits upright in bed, tangled in wires and IV lines, but his emerald stare is locked on me.
“E-Em,” he croaks.
“Oh my God.”
My feet carry me over to his hospital bed almost too fast for my shaking body to follow. I hover over the layers of IVs to bury my face in Tom’s neck, sucking in his clinical, antiseptic scent. Unexpected tears burst free in huge, back-heaving sobs.
“You’re okay,” I weep loudly.
“Hi, trouble.” His hand cups the back of my head. “Long time, no see.”
“I… I thought I’d lost you.”
“Never, Em.”
We both bawl in sync, hiccupping and laughing through shared hysteria. His voice is weak and broken, but I don’t care. Nothing can spoil this. My big brother is back, alive and safe.
We fucking did it.
My throat closes up, the entire hospital fading into the background as I run my hands over Tom’s stubbled cheeks, forehead and oil-slick hair. He’s gaunt as anything, paler than snow and visibly shaken, but those love-filled green orbs haven’t changed.
Somewhere behind me, Warner rests a reassuring hand on my shoulder. A quick glance reveals tears in his eyes as he watches us reunite, the first genuine smile in what feels like weeks stretched across his face.
“Hey,” Tom greets in a hush.
“You back with us now?” Warner teases.
“I think so.” He winces in pain.
“Take it slow. You’ve been out of it for a while.”
“So I h-hear.” Tom’s raw voice trembles from the strain of speaking. “Thanks for coming for me.”
“Like we’d ever stop searching for you.” I sob listlessly, unable to halt the tears. “I’m so sorry, Tom. So sorry. I had no idea… I never meant…”
“Hey.” Tom sniffs through his own tears. “I’m okay, Em.”
“You got hurt because of me! They kidnapped you!”
“It was not your fault. Don’t even think that for a second, okay?”