Chapter Thirty-Four #2
I backpedal away from him, my mind racing as my chest heaves.
When my head smacks into the headboard roughly, I don’t even hiss at the throbbing ache.
I’m so far gone that I can only sob as I hold my hands up and cower.
“Please,” I beg in a broken whisper. “Don’t hurt me! I don’t look like her! I’m not her!”
“Rosalie,” Maddox says softly. “It’s us. Look at us.”
I cover my ears with my hands, shaking my head as everything melts together. There’s pressure on my chest, and I feel like I’m going to pass out if I don’t slow my breathing.
“Get her in the shower,” Kairo instructs. “It’ll shock her.”
“This had better fucking work,” Roman bites as he reaches for me.
“No!” I kick, thrashing harder than I could in any dream. This is life or death to me, and I choose life.
All three of them subdue me, and I take swipes at their faces as they drag me into the illuminated bathroom.
I get a flash of Maddox’s concerned expression before the shower’s handle squeaks, and Roman picks me up bridal-style as he steps under the stream with me held tightly to him.
The cold water hits my skin, and I suck in a deep breath.
It shocks me back to reality sharply, and I fist Roman’s shirt in one hand as I peer up at him with pure fear. Part of my mind is still in that place—the only area my father can touch me. It causes Roman’s lips to part as he stares unblinking at me.
“Don’t let him hurt me,” I whisper raggedly, my voice cracking.
His eyes bounce between mine before his features soften. “I would never, Siren. You’re safe with us. Can you breathe for me?”
I nod quickly, swallowing past the bile that threatens to rise. He makes the motions with me, taking deep breaths in and letting them out slowly. He doesn’t even complain about the ice-cold water drenching us. He’s entirely focused on me.
Another hand slicks my wet hair away from my face, and my eyes dart to Kairo’s wildly concerned ones. He’s raking his irises all over me as if he’s checking for any damage. His hand rubs across a tender spot on the back of my head, and I shiver.
“She’s hurt,” Kairo says, his voice a concerned whisper. “There’s a knot.”
“How do her pupils look?” Maddox asks as he peeks over the blonde’s shoulder.
I swallow past the emotion clogging my throat. “Can…can I get out of the shower?”
Roman trudges out of the water, and the cool air hits me as he brings us back into the bedroom.
He sits me gently on the bed, and the water sloshing off me soaks into the sheets.
All three men flutter around me. Kairo pulls my robe out of the closet while Maddox squats in front of me with a thick plush towel.
Roman gingerly begins to pull my wet clothes off me until they slap to the floor.
Maddox dries my hair and body with soft touches.
Meanwhile, my eyes droop with exhaustion.
My shoulders curl forward slightly as a weight settles over my limbs.
I haven’t felt this powerless since the night I wandered numbly into town and found Charlie’s house. Those dreams always refresh the old wounds of my past. It’s something I can’t escape. No matter how hard I try.
“I know you’re tired,” Maddox says quietly as Kairo slips my robe over my shoulders. “But we need to make sure you don’t have a concussion. How about I make you some tea?”
I don’t normally drink it, but with the chill that’s settling in my bones, I could go for something to warm me up. I nod, afraid to speak. I don’t feel strong enough to talk without breaking down.
Roman wedges his hands underneath me, and I stop him. “I…I can walk…”
He makes a gruff sound in the back of his throat as he hoists me up bridal-style again. “Let us take care of you, Rosalie. You’ve been through enough tonight.”
If I were in any other state, I might have argued, but as his warmth wraps around me and his strong arms hold me close, I find myself melting into him.
For the first time, I realize that my bodyguards no longer smell like the thick cologne they used to wear.
This new smell, something subtle and masculine, wraps around me, and it feels like pure comfort.
There isn’t a sharpness to it anymore, and it causes me to sink further into his chest. I let my cheek turn into his chest as he walks down the stairs with me.
Maddox flicks on a few low lights, careful not to overwhelm me as he heads for the kitchen.
Roman eases onto the sofa, curling me up to him as he rubs a soothing hand over my back.
Kairo sits at my feet, pulling my limbs onto his lap as his fingers ghost over my bare skin.
We stay quiet, sitting in the blanketed silence that grips my bubble.
They’re being so sweet…
It’s embarrassing that they saw me like that. Only Charlie has seen what my nightmares do to me, but I can’t seem to find it in me to care. This reaction isn’t what I was expecting at all, but it’s so…nice.
Maddox comes back from the kitchen, holding a steaming cup out to me. “Two packets of Splenda.”
The same way I drink my coffee.
I take it with shaky hands, giving him a small appreciative smile before I let the warm liquid wash down my throat. It’s good, with a subtle fruit flavor. I take a few more sips before letting my head rest on Roman’s chest.
He takes the cup from me, setting it aside as Maddox eases onto the floor in front of me.
They’re all staring at me, and the whole article I read about communication circles my head.
I know they aren’t expecting my life story, but they have to know.
I need to get this off my chest before they take the leap without knowing what they’re going headfirst into.