Page 35 of Cost of Courting

I move, but Selene is quicker. Her knee goes up, and the thud makes me wonder if Bailey is going to need to go to the hospital. If he keeps running his mouth, and she keeps reacting, he might need a testicle retrieval.

“He’s just digging himself a hole he’s never going to get out of,” Edric murmurs, but I catch sight of the shine in her eyes.

She really likes him, and his words hurt her. Badly.

I remember the way she screamed at us when we left. The fury in her little body when we told her she didn’t understand. I thought it was just our little sister furious at being left behind. No, I didn’t think that; I told myself over and over until I thought I believed it. That I should think like that.

Maybe…it would explain why she’s so angry at us.

I reach for her hand, ignoring the way she pulls away. “Come on, let’s get some ice on this.”

I drag her out of the bedroom and lift her so she’s sitting on the laminate kitchen counter. She closes her eyes. I can see the pain in the way her eyes crinkle at the sides and how her fingers turn white at the knuckles.

“I was thinking about what we were like when we were growing up and how mean we were to you.”

“Mean?” She scowls at me. “You were only mean when you decided to leave.”

“We expected you to keep up with us, to be as vicious and violent as us.”

“You taught me to be strong, it wasn’t mean, it was practical.”

I snort and fold the ice in a tea towel and hold it to her knuckles.

“I wonder about that. Does anyone look after you, Selene? Does anyone take care of you?”

“No one needs to.”

“Everyone needs someone to look after them occasionally.”

“You used to. You were the people I could go to, to talk to, to vent, to cry to. You were my friends.”

I stare at her, wishing I could undo the past.

“But you left.”

She doesn’t even sound angry about it, just so sad. I adjust my hold on the ice so I’m holding her hand.

“It was a mistake.”

My confession is met by silence and huge blue eyes that stare at me with a vulnerability that makes me want to take her in my arms.

Instead, she pulls free, slipping off the counter, and crossing to the front door.

Kingston pulls it open before she can and smiles at her. “Good morning, my adorable little porcupine.”

Predictably, Selene bristles, but Kingston won’t be deterred. He comes in with food and a bag of clothes.

“I have supplies for you.”

“No, I-”

“I looked in your fridge when I went through your room. You have no food, and you need to get dressed and have a shower. You smell.”

I catch her before she can swing. “Uh, come on. I’ll get him later. Let’s protect those cute little bruised knuckles for a few more days. Come and use the bathroom, it has everything you need, and join us for food.”’

“Why the hell would I do that?” she asks bitterly.

“Because I’m asking you to, for old times’ sake?”

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