Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Annahi
I don’t think I’ve ever felt so much fear in my life as at the thought of losing Justice. The very idea of it pains me. I don’t want to ever lose this man. I can’t even seem to take my eyes off him as Zavier uses some ointment he has to keep them from getting infections from fights like tonight’s.
What happened tonight is something I never want to happen again. Seeing Justice taking all of his brothers on scared me near to death. Thankfully, I was able to help him by lending him the knowledge of what move they will do next.
I wish I’d been able to see deeper into his brothers’ thoughts so he knew where to focus most. He might not have had to fight as hard against them all. I also hated that he had to kill someone he shared blood with. He doesn’t seem to be letting it bother him, but Writ had shared a womb with him.
The fact that the others had been doing it for their sister moves me. They were just trying to protect her, and I understood it. I also feel guilty about the fact that they need me to save her. Or that’s what they were told. I have a feeling there’s more to it.
A lot more to it.
Levana is one always to have plans for someone and doesn’t deter from them. It doesn’t matter what she tells you. If she has Justice’s sister, then she’s got something in store for her that I don’t even want to fathom.
I would give myself easily if it saved the other woman, but I know it won’t save her.
Honestly, I’m not sure what will. Either way, these men are going to have to do something to at least try.
“Now that you’re fixed up, we gonna go see to your brothers?” Zavier asks, pulling me out of my thoughts as he talks to Justice.
“We gotta find out what the hell is going on here,” Justice answers him, his arm sliding around my waist. He’s not taken his eyes off me once, not even while Zavier was looking him over. Now he’s finally touching me, and I love having his hands on me even if it’s just to tuck me into his side.
Zavier nods and walks ahead of us out of the medical room they have set up here at the clubhouse. I hadn’t seen it before today, and I honestly don’t want to see it again.
It was close to another room where I could hear the thoughts of another woman, which was weird because I had the shield in place. They weren’t bad thoughts anyway. They were simply confused and disoriented.
Justice gives me a squeeze and turns me to face him, holding me close to his chest. “You okay, Peanut?”
I nod in answer to his question and release a breath, laying my head against his chest. He has on a pair of sweatpants now. Justice had put them on after we got to the clubhouse. I didn’t care that he still had blood caked to his body. It didn’t matter to me.
All I cared about was that he was whole. Safe. Here.
I need him to be here. Not just for my sanity but because he means everything to me. More than my own life. And to think I nearly let a moment of weakness take it all away.
If not for him, I wouldn’t have what we have now.
The bond between us is more than I could imagine, and it’s the most beautiful part of us.
“I need you to use your words, Annahi.” Justice gives me a light squeeze while sliding one hand up until he grips my chin to tilt my head back in order to see my face. His eyes are assessing.
“I’m okay. You’re okay. So that makes me okay.” I shrug. I know it’s a lot of ‘okays’, but that’s what I am.
Justice watches me for a moment longer before nodding. “I don’t like that you had to watch me kill someone.”
“You had to kill your brother, Justice. That wasn’t just someone. It’s me who wants to ask you if you’re okay, because that couldn’t have been easy.”
It couldn’t. Justice had to fight his brothers. Had to break his brother’s neck.
“When it comes to protecting you, Annahi, I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. I might share blood with Writ, but he wasn’t my brother. Not for a long time. As you said just a moment ago, I’m okay. You’re okay. So that makes me okay.”
I smile up at him and lean in, hugging him to me. This man holds my heart. My soul. Everything. I don’t think I could live without him now that we’ve found each other.
He’s my shield. The one that keeps me safe, and no matter what comes in this life or even the next, as long as he’s with me, I know I’ll always be safe. He’ll be there to see to it.
“Come on, Peanut, we gotta get out there and figure this shit out,” he says, but he dips his head down, pressing his forehead to mine.
“I don’t want you to have to be in there while we talk to the others, but we need you.
I need you. I gotta know that they’re not gonna pose a threat to the club. ” To his family.
I knew that’s what he meant.
This club was his family. Corbin wasn’t just the President to the club for him, but his best friend and brother. Just as Dane, Tucker, and the others.
I would think it strange that there are so many different species of shifters and yet they’re all a family. No matter the fact that they aren’t all the same species. They find a way to make it work, and it does. It’s something I love about being around them. Even if it scared me at first.
I want . . . no, I need to be a part of it, and I’m thankful to be blessed in a way that makes it so I am. All because of Justice.
“I’ll help you anyway I can,” I tell him, sliding a hand up to curve around his neck.
I know he’d never do anything to hurt me, let alone use my gift against me or to harm anyone else.
My gift was meant to be used. To help those around us.
If it means getting into the minds of others, to make sure they’re no danger to the club, then I’ll help.
Because they’re my family as well.
All due to this beautiful man. My mate. My everything.