Page 42 of Dublin Beast

Bryan.

He sits up in a chair across the room, his large frame stiff as he stretches out his massive shoulders.

Did he sleep in that chair?

He offers me a sad smile, the shadows in his hooded gaze telling me how bad it must have been when he saved me from that nightmare.

But the point is that hedidsave me.

My stomach lurches again, violent and urgent. I thrash against the covers, kicking them off, the fabric burning against my skin. “I’m gonna be sick?—”

The words barely leave my lips before Bryan is up, moving faster than my sluggish brain can process. Strong arms scoop me up, cradling me against his chest as he strides across the room.

“Hang on. Almost there…”

Then we’re in the bathroom, and he sets me down. I fall to my knees as my stomach clenches and heaves. I barely register the cool tile against my legs before I’m lurching forward and vomiting.

“Go.” I spit, my eyes and nose watering. “You don’t need to see this.”

Bryan’s hand is firm against my back, rubbing slow, methodical circles. “It’s fine. Get it out.”

I grip the edge of the toilet, shaking, my body rebelling against itself. A whimper slips from my lips. “What’s wrong with me?”

“It’s the drugs.”

I rest my head on my outstretched arm and try not to pass out. “What did they give me?”

“I don’t know yet, but it’s working its way out of yer system and that’s the best thing for ye.” His voice is calm and steady—the opposite of how I feel.

“Am I in withdrawal or something?”

“Likely to some degree. I hired a nurse to take some blood. Kieran’s gone with her to a lab to get answers. Once we know what’s in ye, we’ll get ye something that will help. We’ll see ye through it.”

Another tremor rattles my bones, the withdrawal sinking its claws deeper. I close my eyes, my teeth clacking together, my muscles trembling with the effort to stay upright.

I grip the edge of the porcelain bowl, my knuckles white. “I’m so cold.”

“Aye, ye shivered a great deal through the night.” Bryan’s hands settle on my shoulders, firm and steady. “Let’s get ye some heat now that yer awake.”

Stepping around me, he turns on the shower. I’d likely do better in a tub, but there isn’t one. I close my eyes for a moment and when I open them next, steam fills the room.

“Come now, ye’ll feel better in a bit.”

I know he’s probably right, but I’m not sure how I’m going to stand or get into the shower.

I expect him to leave and give me privacy. Instead, he takes off his watch, unbuckles his belt, and drops his jeans to the floor. After stepping out of his pants, he pulls off his socks and comes toward me wearing only a pair of black boxers.

I’m dizzy and I’m not sure it’s completely because of the drugs. “What are you doing?”

He bends behind me, grips me under my arms and hoists me to my feet as if I weigh nothing. “Yer too weak for this on yer own. And I’m not letting ye fall and crack yer head open after all the trouble Kieran and I went through to get ye back safe.”

My sluggish brain struggles to process his movements as he stands me outside the glass door. “So, you’re getting in with me?”

Bryan doesn’t smirk. Doesn’t tease. He opens the door and, with one iron arm banded around my back, guides me inside the shower and to the edge of the spray. “Aye, that’s the idea. Now, just close yer eyes and let the heat work its magic.”

“But I’m wearing your T-shirt.”

“That’s fine. This is a fully PG event. I reckon ye’ve had enough eyes on yer body for now.”

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