Page 39 of His to Save

“I’m not overreacting.” Ellis glares at the feisty blonde who knows how to push all of his buttons so very well. “You’re just insane.”

“Me?” Her eyes narrow. “I’minsane?”

“Did I stutter?” He rises from his recliner and stomps over to where Scarlet’s cozied up on the couch.

“Should we stop them?” Nora asks, looking truly alarmed.

“Nah. This is just what they do.” Honestly, if I didn’t know better, I’d think this was some weird kind of foreplay for them.

Nora and I watch, riveted as he kneels in front of her “Since your parents failed to teach you any kind of manners, I’ll do it for them.” He grabs her right ankle and pulls her shoe off.

“What are you doing?” she screeches, trying to kick his hands away, but Ellis’s hold on her is solid.

He grabs her left ankle and repeats the motions before standing and dropping both of her shoes unceremoniously by the door. “It’s fucking rude to wear dirty shoes into someone’s home. It’s even ruder to put said shoes on their furniture. Understand?”

She crosses her arms and kicks her sock-clad feet up onto the coffee table. “That you’re a jackass? Yeah, that’s coming through loud and clear.”

He smirks as he drops back down into his chair. “That’s Officer Jackass to you.”

I give Nora atold you solook before clearing my throat. “If y’all are finished, we’d like to join you.”

CHAPTER 13

ATLAS

Scarlet’s glacial glare softens as she turns her focus from Ellis to Nora. “Sit by me.” She pats the spot next to her. “Regardless of whatsomemight say, I don’t bite.”

Ellis snorts in a poor attempt to cover his laugh, but Nora remains rooted at my side.

“Go on, Pip. I’ll sit with you.” My voice is as soft as I step back and let her take the lead. If she wants to join Scar on the couch, then we will; if she doesn’t, then we won’t. It’s as simple as that.

Hell, she can stand right here in this very spot all night for all I care. I’ll be by her side like I’m glued there. She’s one hundred percent in control, even if she doesn’t realize it.

“Okay,” she whispers, nodding to herself. She tries to hide the way her hands shake by balling them into fists, but I don’t miss it. I’m too tuned into all things her to miss much of anything.

She takes a hesitant step before pausing and glancing back at me, as if to make sure I’m following behind her. When she sees I am, she crosses the room quickly and perches herself on the edge of the center cushion.

I hate how apprehensive she feels, but I can’t lie—something warms inside of me when the unsure look melts off her face at my reassurance.

Scarlet eyes me suspiciously as I claim the seat next to Nora, like she knows something I don’t. It’s unsettling. I’m not sure any of us can handle any more surprises this weekend.

“Do you know the date of your last period?” Scarlet asks, jumping right into things.

Ellis’s eyes damn near bug out of his head.Of course, the jackass gets grossed out by a little blood.

“Um.” Nora’s cheeks are so red they rival a fire engine. “I’m not… I don’t know.”

Scarlet waves away her concern. “That’s okay, an ultrasound will give us a clear idea as to when you’re due. I’m guessing you don’t have insurance, but my doctor offers private pay, so that shouldn’t be an issue. I’ll talk to her tomorrow, and we can figure out a time for you to come in?—”

“That sounds expensive.” Nora swallows hard. “I-I don’t have a lot of money, but I’m going to get a job soon. I think. Hopefully…”

I can see the panic beginning to build as her breathing accelerates and the blush staining her cheeks works its way down her neck.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her not to worry about the cost, that I’ll gladly pay it and more, but I grit my teeth and stay silent. The only thing I’d accomplish by offering to foot the bill is making Nora feel more uncomfortable than she already does.

I’ll just arrange it with Scarlet later.

Ellis shoots me a look that saysfix thisand I nod, because one way or another, I intend to.

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